Craft beer pub opens its door

Leeside’s newest craft beer pub has enjoyed a successful first week of business.

BrewDog Cork, on the site of the former Grand Central Social on Courthouse Street, just off Washington Street, opened its doors to the public last Friday. Operated by the same company that runs Barbarossa, An Bróg, Voodoo, Barbarella, Alibi and Popscene, Westside Leisure Ltd, the new pub employs 50 people and is open 7 days a week.

The bar offers 30 beers on draught, including rotating and seasonal taps from Irish breweries, as well as a menu of burgers and wings, and vegan and salad options.

Speaking about the decision to bring the BrewDog franchise to Cork, Westside Leisure Ltd Co-Director Tony Forde said he has always been impressed by the franchise’s bars overseas.

He said: “Having visited many BrewDog venues over the years, especially on Munster Rugby away games, we have always been impressed by their bars. The first lockdown of Covid in 2020 left us with some time on our hands so we decided to reach out.

“Bringing the BrewDog bar to Cork has been the accumulation of almost 2 years of lockdown zoom calls, back and forth emails and finally, face to face meetings and handshakes. With the help of the BrewDog designers and support team, we have completely transformed the venue into a craft beer emporium.

Mr Forde said reaction has been hugely positive since the bar was fist announced earlier in the year with work enquiries pouring in despite the current nationwide staffing crisis,

He said: “The recruitment attracted a huge response, especially attracting people who know and love the brand. We want to make the Cork BrewDog one of the best in the world.”

In response to a Cork boycott campaign against the BrewDog brand based on historical claims of staff mistreatment, management at Westside Leisure Ltd issued the following statement:

“As a local company operating bars and clubs in Cork for 40 years with almost 200 team members, we are proud and excited to bring BrewDog here. Since the initial announcement of our franchise partnership, the community reaction has been hugely positive, and booking enquiries have been pouring in.

“Additionally, despite the current nationwide staffing crisis, we have had a huge response from those wanting to work with us, which is not only a testament to our own reputation as an employer in Cork, but also to the popularity of the BrewDog brand. We look forward to welcoming all our long-standing friends from Cork and beyond in to BrewDog Cork,” concluded the statement.