What The Winners Say
Wondering why you should enter the 2016 Pub of the Year Awards? Here's what our 2015 winners have to say...
Best Bar Person (in association with Sunday Life):
"I really was over the moon to be named Best Bartender. Being recognised by your peers for something you love doing really is a massive confidence boost,” Nathaniel McAuley, Muriel's Cafe Bar, Belfast
Best Hotel Bar: 1*, 2* & 3*: The Salty Dog Hotel & Bistro, Bangor
“The best thing about winning Best Hotel Bar 1-3* 2015 was the reaction of our staff and the motivation it gave them. It created a brilliant atmosphere at The Salty Dog and made us all strive to keep our high standards and to keep improving.” Ken Sharpe said, The Salty Dog Hotel & Bistro, Bangor
Best Hotel Bar: 4* & 5*: Manor House Country Hotel, Enniskillen
“The Manor House Country Hotel was delighted to be recognised at last year’s Pub of the Year Award for our Cellar Bar & Bistro. This Award gave our staff a real sense of ownership and commitment going forward to offer good quality food and service as part of the overall guest experience at the Hotel,” John O’ Neill, Manor House Country Hotel, Enniskillen.
Commitment to Local Food Pub (in Partnership with Food NI/Taste of Ulster): Pier 36, Donaghadee
“We were delighted to win the commitment to local food award. As time progresses pubs are relying more heavily on food as their main source of income. Our culture is becoming increasingly more European and food is more often than not the main reason people visit us, so we want to provide the best possible quality to our customers and we do that by using the fantastic producers that are local to us. To be recognised for our efforts was a real boost for our business,” Lewis Waterworth, Pier 36.
Commitment to Local Food Hotel (in Partnership with Food NI/Taste of Ulster): Newforge House, Magheralin
“Winning ‘Commitment to Local Food’ at the Pub of the Year Awards 2015 has given us a unique media platform to promote our business and our wonderful local producers. 2016 has been our busiest year since we opened in 2005. We have also seen a growth in media interest. Local seasonal food has been, and always will be, central to our offer and it is fantastic that Hospitality Ulster are giving due credit to Northern Ireland’s fabulous produce through this new award category,” Lou Mathers, owner, Newforge House.
Commitment to the Community Pub: Front Page Bar, Ballymena
“Winning was a great morale boost for our staff and regular customers alike. It was a great way for us to celebrate 25 years in business here at The Front Page Bar. The Awards as a whole provide a super opportunity to showcase our industry,” Stephen Reynolds, Front Page Bar, Ballymena
Pub of the Year (City): Sunflower Public House, Belfast
“Having missed out on the Best Newcomer Award the previous year we were absolutely delighted to win the Pub of the Year (City) title last year. The recognition gave us all a boost and also our customers, who were chuffed that their pub won,” Pedro Donald, The Sunflower Public House, Belfast
Pub of the Year (Rural): Friels of Swatragh, County Derry~Londonderry
“Winning this award is great recognition for Friels’ dedicated staff as they always try to give excellent service and go the extra mile for all our customers. It's also great for our local customers knowing that that Northern Ireland’s best rural bar is so close by for all their family celebrations,” Dermot Friel, Friels of Swatragh.
Pub of the Year (Urban): Mary’s Bar, Magherafelt
“We have a great team at Mary’s Bar and everyone works hard to ensure that our customers always have the best possible experience. To be recognised as Pub of the Year (Urban) 2015 was fantastic. It gave our staff an incredible sense of achievement and it was great to have their constant hard work and high standards rewarded,” Thomas Doherty, Mary’s Bar, Magherafelt.