Team Behind The Garrick Set to Open New City Centre Bar

The Side Bar will open on Chichester Street in new 2,000 sq. ft. space, creating 20 jobs.

The team behind one of Belfast’s best-loved bars, The Garrick, is preparing to open a new hospitality venue in the heart of the city. The Side Bar will create 20 new jobs and bring fresh life to a 2,000 square foot premises on Chichester Street.

Opening on Friday 23 October, The Side Bar is the latest venture from the team who have established The Garrick as a firm Belfast favourite over the past two decades.

Located at 27 Chichester Street, adjacent to The Garrick, the new modern Irish bar will be led by General Manager Daniel Oates, who is following in the footsteps of his father Colm, building on their longstanding experience in Belfast’s hospitality industry.

Combining local produce and a considered drinks offering with DJ-led music and Belfast hospitality, The Side Bar will offer a new place to meet, eat, drink and settle in, from morning through to night.

Open from 10am to 1am, the venue will move from morning coffees and breakfasts into lunch and dinner service with charcuterie alongside wines, beers, spirits and cocktails. Whether guests are stopping in during the working day or settling into a booth for the evening, they can expect a relaxed welcome and plenty of reasons to stay a little longer.

The Side Bar builds on the success of the independent Garrick Bar while introducing a distinct offering, with its own team, entrance and opening hours.

Daniel Oates has worked closely with the new bar team, leading the development of the drinks menu that pairs a classic feel with a Side Bar twist, drawing on local and international producers. He said:

“We’ve been working on drinks that feel familiar but have something uniquely ‘us’ about them, which gives our team freedom to experiment and allows the customer to try something new. We want people to feel just as comfortable calling in for a coffee as ordering a cocktail, and to enjoy helping us build something special.

“Having grown up around The Garrick, I know how much the welcome and the people providing the service shape someone’s experience. That’s something I look forward to bringing into The Side Bar.”

Colm Oates from The Garrick added:

“We have been part of Belfast’s hospitality industry for generations, and over our 20 years here we’ve seen just how much people value somewhere they feel welcome. With The Side Bar, we wanted to build on that, invest further in Belfast city centre and bring something new to the street.

“This is an exciting next step for our family business, giving our customers something different while opening the doors to a new audience. At its heart, it’s about bringing the same passion for hospitality that has made The Garrick what it is today.”

The Side Bar’s food offering will be led by Chef Mark Henderson and will span breakfast and lunch through to small plates and charcuterie, with local produce helping shape a menu designed around the way people want to eat throughout the day.

Mark said: “I want to create a kitchen culture where we really care about our ingredients and take pride in what we serve, while keeping things relaxed for our guests. There’s fantastic Irish produce available, and we want to celebrate that with a menu that feels generous and approachable.

“For me, food should bring people together, whether that’s over breakfast, lunch or a few plates shared with a glass of wine or a cocktail. We want people to come in, get comfortable and enjoy themselves.”

The venue interior will reflect the attention to detail that went into the concept for the bar, with green leather booths, warm lighting and local art and photography helping connect the space to Belfast’s culture and creativity. Music will be an integral part of the experience, with a DJ programme and playlists shaped by Conor Schmutz of Feline Belfast taking the mood from daytime into the evening.

The Side Bar opens to the public on Friday 23 October at 27 Chichester Street, Belfast. Follow @thesidebarbelfast on Instagram for updates and a first look at the menus.