Bars with Irish and English feel

Press, 24 September 1987, Page 33

Bars with Irish and English feel

The two bars of Warners New Hotel have been refurbished with an Irish and English flavour. Renovations began on the bars in Easter, 1987, as part of the programme to refurbish the old hotel and give it a new image. They have been carried out gradually to cause as little inconvenience to patrons as possible, says the general manager, Mr Barry Noakes. Bailies Bar has been designed in the tradition of an English pub and has old English decor. "It has been designed as a 'talking bar,’ with no loud, throbbing music. “It has a relaxed atmosphere suited to quiet, intimate conversation. “Patrons can look out on to the hustle and bustle of the city, while they enjoy their drink,” says Mr Noakes. Bailies Bar used to be a bookshop. It has a marble-topped counter and native timbers feature throughout.

The name Bailies Bar is of particular historic significance, Mr Noakes says. The hotel’s owner, Mr Stan O’Keefe, took over Bailies Wines and Spirits and the bar is named out of respect for the man who started and gave his name to Bailie and Co. Merchants in Westport in 1865. Cork-n-Kerry is the name chosen for the second bar. This is appropriate as Mr O’Keefe’s partner, Mr John McArthy, has descendants who come from Cork. Mr O’Keefe can trace his origins to Kerry. In keeping with its traditional Irish theme, the Cork-n-Kerry has prints and photographs lining the walls along with shamrocks and a lineup of Guinness bottles. Both bars can boast that they are one of the few establishments in the South Island to sell Guinness stout on tap from Dublin.