The restauranteurs involved have branded the charge - announced in Wednesday's budget - as ridiculous.

They're pointing to the fact that the measure followed an earlier announcement that the VAT rate would be temporarily reduced from 13% to 9%, something lobby groups have branded a PR exercise.

Describing the 40% tax increase as ‘savage’, the Restaurants Association of Ireland said the hike in excise duty would bring a lot of restaurants ‘to their knees’.

Alcohol excise tax on beer, cider and spirits has increased by only 10 cents in the budget.

A handful of restaurants across the city have postponed the increase including La Mere Zou, Whitefriar Grill and Seapoint Fish and Grill.