McHugh's Bar
Encyclopedia
Public house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. Located on Queen's Square in Belfast City Centre
Belfast City Centre
Belfast city centre is the central business district of Belfast, Northern Ireland.The city centre was originally centred around the Donegall Street area. Donegall Street is now mainly a business area, but with expanding residential and entertainment development as part of the Cathedral Quarter...
, it is one of the city's best known pubs and the oldest building in Belfast.
History
McHugh's was originally built as a private dwelling on the old Town Dock around 1711. Some time after this the dock was demolished and the River Farset was covered, although it still runs under Queen's Square and the adjacent High Street. Between 1715 and 1725 it was converted to a small pub.McHugh's has been given a Grade A Listed Building status by the Environment and Heritage Service
Environment and Heritage Service
The Northern Ireland Environment Agency is a Northern Ireland Executive conservation agency within the Department of the Environment. Unlike the equivalent bodies in England, Scotland and Wales, it aims to promote and conserve both the natural environment and the built environment and to promote...
.
Renovation and current status
In the 1990s the bar underwent a £1m renovation and expansion, enclosing the neighbouring DuBarry’s Bar, an establishment with a dubious reputation. The current owners are Botanic Inns, one of Belfast's largest pub and restaurant companies, whose establishments include The Botanic InnThe Botanic Inn
The Botanic Inn, affectionately known as "The Bot", is a bar/nightclub situated near Botanic Gardens in the Queen's Quarter of Belfast, Northern Ireland...
, The Apartment, The Fly, The King's Head, Madison's, Ryan's Bar and Grill, The Northern Whig
The Northern Whig
The Northern Whig is a bar housed in a historical building in Belfast, Northern Ireland.It is situated in the Cathedral Quarter, just to the north of the city centre...
and The Globe.
The expansion included a brand new section, but the existing building retains much of its original features including the massive 18th century oak beams.
Tourism
Not as popular or well known with tourists as The Crown Liquor SaloonThe Crown Liquor Saloon
The Crown Liquor Saloon is a public house in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Refurbished to a high standard in 1885, it is an outstanding example of a Victorian gin palace, and is one of Northern Ireland's best-known pubs.- History :...
, McHugh's has become more popular in recent years, benefiting from the redevelopment of the surrounding Queen's Square, Customs House Square, and the Albert Memorial Clock
Albert Memorial Clock, Belfast
The Albert Memorial Clock is a tall clock tower situated at Queen's Square in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was completed in 1869 and is one of the best known landmarks of Belfast.-History:...
.