Captain America’s on Grafton Street has entered examinership. The restaurant is now managed by Crawley Ltd, a company owned by Paddy McKillen Jnr, and continues trading during the examinership process. The business is shielded from creditors for an initial 70 days, with a possible extension to 100 days if needed to develop a survival plan.
Crawley is significantly late filing its accounts, with the latest filed statements relating to its 2021 financial year, a year affected by the Covid pandemic. Cheyne Capital, which acquired Press Up leisure group, has invested €18m to stabilise and restructure Eclective Hospitality as part of its recent activities.
Management said earlier this year it had entered into phased payment agreements in January with the Revenue Commissioners on a legacy debt.
The restaurant, known for its American-style cuisine and rock ‘n’ roll atmosphere, was founded by Mark Kavanagh in 1971 as Ireland’s first cookhouse and bar, introducing Dubliners to American classics like chocolate sundaes and the “Captains Burger”.
Famous for launching the career of Chris de Burgh, Captain America’s is a Dublin institution, he restaurant quickly became a cultural hub, hosting album launches, acoustic sessions, and important meetings for bands like U2. Its walls are adorned with memorabilia from the last half-century.
