Two of Belfast’s most iconic pubs have announced early closing times in order to prevent the Cathedral Quarter from becoming “another Temple Bar”.
Belfast, like most Irish cities, has a reputation for its pubs and good nights out. Though not everyone’s cup of tea, the Cathedral Quarter is central to the city’s nightlife.
However, this lively part of Belfast could be set to become a little quieter a little earlier as two of its most iconic pubs have announced early closing times.
Cathedral Quarter – the liveliest area in Belfast
Love it or hate it, Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter is the liveliest area in the city. With traditional Irish pubs, modern favourites, renowned restaurants, and even cultural oases in the Black Box and the MAC, the area is busy most nights of the week.
Two of the area’s mainstays are the Duke of York and the Harp Bar, although the latter moved across the road and a few doors up along Hill Street between its 1990s closure and its 2013 rebirth.
Willie Jack – the area’s foremost publican
Willie Jack took charge of the Duke of York in the early 1980s and is also behind the new incarnation of the Harp Bar.
He also owns the nearby events venue, the Dark Horse, and whiskey off-licence, the Friend at Hand.
His ventures have forever altered the landscape of the Cathedral Quarter and paved the way for many of the other bars in the area.
Now, he is set to change the city’s hospitality culture again, with the announcement of earlier closing times in a bid to prevent the Cathedral Quarter from becoming “another Temple Bar”.
Early closure – announced in an open letter
In an open letter published in the Irish News, Jack worried that new licencing laws leading to extended opening hours could adversely affect the Cathedral Quarter.
While many of his fellow publicans may relish the opportunity to open until 3 am, Jack has taken his opening hours the other way and will now call last orders at midnight, “or possibly even earlier”, in order to sustainably “[provide] a welcoming, safe and enjoyable environment”.
In his letter, Jack also outlined how public transport restraints have changed drinking culture in Belfast, and that the new closing times would reflect this.
“We have noticed a shift with many of our clientele deciding to come out earlier and leave earlier, enabling them to access better public transport,” he wrote. “This is a culture we would like to encourage and promote”.
Moreover, the publican argued that earlier closing times will afford staff “the best work-life balance possible” and will help “to reduce the strain on emergency services” in the city.
