The Watson, located on Belfast’s Little Donegall Street, is the city’s newest bar, cocktail lounge and pool hall.
A new Belfast bar and pool hall has opened just in time for the festive season after a £3.5 million redevelopment.
A thriving entertainment venue located in the heart of the city center, The Watson is owned and operated by the owners of The Deer’s Head and The Bowery.
A must-visit spot for a last minute Christmas catch-up or those long-awaited New Year’s celebrations, here’s everything we know about this exciting new entertainment venue.
A vibrant bar, cocktail lounge, and pool hall – bringing life back to the city
Located within the former Frames Complex, The Watson is set to be a popular spot among people from all across the city.
David Neely is Operations Manager at Jar Ltd. He spoke to Belfast Live about the Belfast bar and pool hall’s opening following the £3.5 million redevelopment.
Remaining true to the history of the building was a central part of the development of The Watson, he explained.
He said, “The building was built back in 1896 for Robert Watson and Co. who were furniture manufacturers.”
Just the beginning – further developments in the works
The £3.5 million redevelopment is just the beginning of what’s in store for the Belfast bar and pool hall.
Neely told Belfast Live, “The Library Cafe Bar is going to be opening every morning from nine o’clock. It is going to be our main daytime bar. Upstairs, we have a cocktail bar, which we’ll open for the weekends.
“We’ve also opened The Watson Draft House, which is next door. It is our big saloon bar. That’s going to be where the entertainment is and our sports and TVs.
“Then we also have two rooms open bringing back the old Frames Pool Hall.”
Further development is planned for phase two introducing a premium off-sales and wine bar opening in spring 2025. They also have plans for further pool rooms and a ‘competitive gaming’ floor with shuffleboard and other activities.
The third and fourth floors will act as a nightclub and event space. Meanwhile, the top floor will be home to Bell’s Brewery Taproom.
