O’Connell’s opening on Friday following renovation
A new Irish pub is set to open on the site of the Thirsty Scholar this Friday (27 February).
O’Connell’s will open to the public from 5pm, with a free whiskey with your first drink up until 7pm.
The Irish pub, tucked under the Oxford Road train station arches occupied for many years by The Thirsty Scholar, promises a space that ‘feels authentic and steeped in history’.
An extensive renovation has been underway, with the main bar front sourced from an early 20th century bank at College Green in Dublin, whilst the bunk seating arrived from as far afield as a cathedral in Tralee (Co Kerry) and as local as Manchester Cathedral.
There will also be a wooden panelled interior, original stained glass features sourced in Ireland and a wall to wall whiskey cabinet. The upstairs has also been transformed into an extension of the pub with its own bar and snug.
The newly designed outdoor terrace seats 80, and will play host to events throughout summer with murals from Guinness and Teeling Whiskey due to cover the arch in time for summer.
With many of the Thirsty Scholar staff staying on, live music every week and sports shown all year round, new owner Dom explained that he and the team are keen to get going.
“I’ve worked in the industry all my life and always wanted an Irish pub, with the recent trend even more so,” he said. “When the opportunity came up with the Thirsty Scholar being for sale I jumped on it.
“My aim is to let the fit out do the talking, I’ve sourced fixtures from all over Ireland, the rest of the work fits around these pieces to give it a proper Irish pub feel. Plenty of nooks and crannys, space for big groups or for couples after a quiet pint.”
O'Connell's opening hours
Sunday: 11:30am - 12:00am
Monday: 11:30am - 12:00am
Tuesday: 11:30am - 12:00am
Wednesday: 11:30am - 12:00am
Thursday: 11:30am - 12:00am
Friday: 11:30am - 1:00am
Saturday: 11:30am - 1:00am
To keep up with the goingson at O’Connell’s, and for further information on upcoming live events, follow the pub on Instagram.
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