But seagulls swooping in to pick at meals forced the bar’s administrators to enlist trained dogs to ensure patrons enjoy themselves at the venue, which is trying to recover after Covid lockdowns and restrictions.

Sammy McPherson, general manager of the Opera Kitchen adjoining the bar, said they have noticed an 80-85% reduction in aerial attacks since the dog patrols were first trialled in 2018.

“It’s been a game changer, you could say, in hospitality,” McPherson told Reuters.

“We’re not having to chase after birds and the amount of food replacement, broken glasses, broken plates. It’s been absolutely amazing.”

The dogs and their handlers patrol the promenade in front of the waterfront establishments and chase away seagulls.

Mad Dogs and Englishmen, the company that provides the service, has 12 to 13 canines on rotation, rostered every day with double shifts on the weekends.

In December, the company was awarded a further two years on its contract to continue the patrols.

Dog handler Carla Shoobert said they use dogs naturally inclined to pursue the gulls, such as Australian kelpies and border collies.

“People look at you in confusion for the first hour of your shift, trying to figure out what you’re up to.

“Then you go on your five-minute break and the birds come back – and that’s when they go, ‘Oh, that’s what she’s doing – this is amazing’.”

And diners couldn’t be more supportive of the programme.

“It’s unusual and unique. You see dogs doing all sorts of things but I’ve never seen one trained to chase seagulls. It’s fascinating and I think it’s awesome,” one diner told Australia’s ABC News.

Another said: “Last time I came here, me and my mum came to eat and we were attacked by birds, so we had to leave because I couldn’t deal and it was really bad.

“With the dogs here, it’s better for everyone so they can actually enjoy their food.”