The Dirty Onion and Yard Bird most 'financially successful launch' for Beannchor Group
The new entertainment complex, which is set in a former bonded spirit warehouse in the city's Cathedral Quarter, opened last Thursday, offering live music and drinks at The Dirty Onion and free-range rotisserie chicken at upstairs standalone restaurant Yard Bird.
A partnership with Belfast's cultural centre An Droichead will allow the venue to deliver a varied music programme each week.
“We want to offer an alternative to the modern music venues in Belfast city centre; somewhere that people come not only to be entertained but to get involved and be part of creating the atmosphere," said managing director Bill Wolsey.
The concept has so far proved a success with Conal Wolsey reporting a busy first week.
“The launch of The Dirty Onion and Yard Bird has been the most financially successful launch by the Beannchor Group to date – we are pleased to report that we have had an extremely busy first week’s trading and the feedback we have been getting from customers has been great – it’s brought something different to the city," he said.
Despite the success of the business, which cost the company £1.25m to transform the listed building and has created 40 new jobs for the city, it will remain unique to Beannchor Wolsey said.
"We have no plans at the moment to replicate The Dirty Onion or Yard Bird concept elsewhere," he confirmed.
Growing company
The Dirty Onion and Yard Bird are the latest additions to Beannchor's portfolio. The company, which operates more than 50 pubs, hotels and restaurants across Northern Ireland, opened high-end artisan bakery Patisserie Mimi earlier in November and The National Grand Café Bar in September.
Wolsey said the company was looking to grow further with expansion likely for the first time outside Northern Ireland into England and Scotland.
“In terms of our wider portfolio, we are currently investigating opportunities to expand our Little Wing Pizzeria brand further, in both Northern Ireland and potentially into England or Scotland," he said.
