WATCH The Old Quarter celebrates 30 years of live music, great food, and party vibes

The Old Quarter celebrates 30 years of live music, great food, and party vibes. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick

The iconic Old Quarter Bar and Restaurant is celebrating a milestone 30 years of hospitality in Limerick City Centre

One of Limerick City’s most-loved venues, The Old Quarter Bar and Restaurant, is marking an incredible milestone of 30 years providing hospitality to the people of Limerick and its visitors.

30 years in hospitality is no easy feat, and the longevity of the Old Quarter is being celebrated by owner, JJ Mulcahy, and his staff for remaining at the heart of the city in an ever-changing and competitive industry.

Reflecting on what it means to be celebrating such a significant birthday, JJ Mulcahy said, “ It is actually quite amazing for a bar like this to be in existence for that length of time in the city centre, it is quite an achievement!”

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JJ took over the venue in 2012, having already worked there for a number of years. Looking back on that time, what stands out to him is how different generations have entered the venue’s doors.

JJ said, “ When you look back at it, the faces that we see now, who would’ve been children a number of years ago when I first started here, and now bringing their own kids in here.

“Even if you take the amount of staff that would’ve gone through the doors in my time here, I’d say we’ve had a couple of thousand people come through working here.”

Remaining relevant in such a competitive industry has seen The Old Quarter work through change as it has been at the forefront of innovation locally, becoming one of the first bars in the city to develop a strong cocktail offering, while also evolving its food menu, including breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week.

 The owner says the city centre venue is  “a landmark” for the people of Limerick, adding, “It has been at the forefront of what happens in the food scene in Limerick and the drinks. We were one of the first bars doing cocktails, the design of the cocktails and the mechanics behind them.

“Again, over the years, we’ve developed our food offerings. We have a great team in the kitchen. Freddie, the head chef, has done a lot in the last number of years, and it’s just evolved.”

Employing 58 people, with numbers rising during peak summer months, the business also includes The Old Quarter Townhouse, a 43-bedroom city centre hotel developed from a former guesthouse.

Not forgetting its roots in entertainment, the venue prides itself on live music, with JJ saying, “ Live music is certainly one of our prouder moments. Originally, it started off with DJs, and as the trends developed and changed, we got into live music. I’m thinking about 2009/2010. And ever since we have had local bands perform!”

Reflecting on the proudest achievement over the years, JJ Mulcahy said, “ The proudest thing is the standards that we have kept over the years. The industry has changed so much, but to stay true to our roots and then to be able to see the team perform that and deliver on that is probably the proudest part of it. I couldn’t have done this without the people I work with and I want to also give a special thanks to our wonderful customers.”

Located on Little Ellen Street, The Old Quarter Bar and Restaurant has been at the centre of Limerick’s lively food, drink and entertainment scene for three decades as it aims to keep making the people of Limerick proud into the future.

Pictures: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick