Glasses are being raised across Belfast in celebration of three local bars that have received top industry awards at Pubs of Ulster’s Pub of the Year Awards 2013, which were held in the four-star La Mon Hotel and Country Club on Wednesday 13th November 2013,
The Limelight, The Hudson Bar and The Garrick Bar picked up three of the eight awards handed out at the prestigious event, which showcased the best in the Northern Ireland hospitality business.
The first Belfast pub to be crowned on the night was The Limelight, winning the Best Entertainment award after judges praised it for offering “a superb programme of events” and for having “a commitment and confidence in a significant refurbishment and investment programme”.
The Hudson Bar followed The Limelight’s success and picked up the Best New/Improved title as judges praised its “excellent use of space encompassing different zones that are united by a common theme”. In addition to its big win on the night, The Hudson was also a finalist in the in the Best Charity Initiative and Best Marketing Initiative categories, whilst the bar’s manager, Feargal Donnelly was also shortlisted for the Best Barperson Award in association with The Sunday Life.
The Garrick Bar completed the winning hat-trick for Belfast when it clinched the Best Big Idea award. Judges said the Garrick showcased a “terrific variety of ideas that are fun and original, from food, to dancers and promotions, all which worked well and exceeded targets”. The Garrick was also shortlisted for the hotly contested ‘Pub of the Year’ crown along with Horatio Todd’s, but both local pubs were pipped to the post by The Harbour Bar in Portrush. Alley Cat in Belfast was also a finalist on the night in the Best New/Improved category.
Commenting after the Awards, Mark Stewart, chairman, Pubs of Ulster said:
“This year’s Pub of the Year Awards has once again highlighted the fantastic commitment to quality within our local pub trade.
“There are top class pubs right across Northern Ireland and the Pub of the Year Awards recognise this and reward their excellence and the important economic, social and cultural contribution they make.
“I would like to thank all the pubs that entered this year’s awards and congratulate all the winners, including The Limelight, The Hudson Bar and The Garrick, for showcasing the very best that the Northern Ireland hospitality industry has to offer.”
The Pub of the Year Gala Awards 2013 marked the end of an extensive search for the best pubs in a range of categories across Northern Ireland.
The pubs went through a rigorous judging process by the Pub of the Year Awards’ independent judging panel and were visited by mystery shoppers to ensure they adhere to best industry standards. The winners in eight Award categories: Best Barperson (in partnership with the Sunday Life); Best Entertainment; Best Food; Best New or Improved; Best Marketing Initiative; Best Charity Initiative; Best Big Idea and the ultimate award – Pub of the Year 2013 were revealed at the Pub of the Year gala Awards which was hosted by Apprentice star, Jim Eastwood.
The Pub of the Year expert judging panel comprised of top Northern Ireland business and marketing professionals including mentalist and hospitality expert, David Meade; drinks industry veterans, Padraig Cribben (CEO, Vintners Federation Ireland), Norman Trotter (former head of C&C), Terry Loughins (former Diageo) & Maire Campbell (former Coca-Cola); marketing whiz, Enda McShane (Velocity Worldwide); retail specialist, Hugh Black (formerly Victoria Square, Belfast), Martin Breen, editor, Sunday Life and top business journalists from Northern Ireland’s main daily newspapers.
The Pub of the Year Awards are the only industry recognised awards. This year’s awards were supported by Belfast Distillery Company, Britvic, Coca-Cola, Diageo, Dillon Bass, Drinks Inc, Heineken Northern Ireland, Molson Coors, Richmond Marketing, Tennent’s NI and media partners, Sunday Life, U105 and Hospitality Review NI.
For further information, visit www.nipuboftheyear.com
The full list of winners and finalists for the Pub of the Year Awards 2013 is as follows:
Best Barperson (in association with The Sunday Life)
Winner (joint):
Maggie McGaughey, The Front Page, Ballymena, Co. Antrim
Margaret Ferguson, The Lakeside Inn, Ballydugan, Co. Down
Shortlisted:
Fergal Donnelly, Hudson Bar, Belfast
Joe Havlin, The Fountain Bar, Belfast
Willie Gregg, The Harbour Bar, Portrush, Co. Antrim
Best Entertainment
Winner:
The Limelight, Belfast, Co. Antrim
Finalists:
Devenish Bar, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh
The Wild Duck Inn, Portglenone, Co. Antrim
Shortlisted:
The Garrick, Belfast, Co. Antrim
The Mayfly Inn, Kesh, Co. Fermanagh
Best Charity Initiative
Winner:
The Harbour Bar, Portrush, Co. Antrim
Finalists:
Jack’s Bar at Walsh’s Hotel, Maghera, Co. Londonderry
The Hudson Bar, Belfast, Co. Antrim
Shortlisted:
The Cellar Bar (Port Hotel), Portrush, Co. Antrim
The Lakeside Inn, Ballydugan, Co. Down
Best Marketing Initiative
Winner:
The Wild Duck Inn, Portglenone, Co. Antrim
Finalists:
Devenish Bar, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh
The Hudson Bar, Belfast, Co. Antrim
Shortlisted:
The Crooked Mile, Dunmurry, Belfast, Co. Antrim
The Harbour Bar, Portrush, Co. Antrim
Best Big Idea
Winner: The Garrick, Belfast, Co. Antrim
Finalists: The Harbour Bar, Portrush, Co. Antrim
The Wild Duck Inn, Portglenone, Co. Antrim
Shortlisted:
Alley Cat, Belfast, Co. Antrim
The John Hewitt, Belfast, Co. Antrim
Best Food
Winner: The Elk, Toomebridge, Co. Antrim
Finalists:
The Dirty Duck Alehouse, Holywood, Co. Down
The Grouse Inn, Ballymena, Co. Antrim
Shortlisted:
The Harbour Bar, Portrush, Co. Antrim
The Wild Duck Inn, Portglenone, Co. Antrim
Best New/Improved
Winner:
The Hudson Bar, Belfast, Co. Antrim
Finalists:
Alley Cat, Belfast, Co. Antrim
The Corner House, Lurgan, Co. Armagh
Shortlisted:
The Bentley Bar, Derry/Londonderry
Euphoria, Portadown, Co. Armagh
Pub of the Year
Winner:
The Harbour Bar, Portrush, Co. Antrim
Finalists:
The Garrick, Belfast, Co. Antrim
Horatio Todd’s, Belfast, Co. Antrim
Shortlisted:
The Dirty Duck Alehouse, Holywood, Co. Down
Kelly’s Cellars, Belfast, Co. Antrim
Discover more from LoveBelfast
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
