THE builders are back at The Forum Waterford for the final part of a multi-million •uro redevelopment plan, which has already delivered one of the largest and most innovative off-licenses in the area, together with a live music / entertainment venue that is on a par with the very best in the country.
Phase 3 will complete the major rejuvenation of the premises and will see the ground floor of the main building converted into the city’s most unique eaterie.
Meanwhile, it’s business as usual at the off-license and venue as they are not affected by the new building works.
After 17 years of providing the very best in entertainment, including such notables as Johnny Cash, Billy Connolly, Thin Lizzy, Scissor Sisters and TheCorrs, the downstairs at the well-known Waterford city premises closed last week for extensive alterations and renovations, the outcome of which will be the opening of a fully licensed restaurant next October.
Heralding a new era in dining out in the city, the restaurant will be quite distinctive in style, offering an inimitable ambience and excellent service. Forum proprietor Ciaran O’Neill remains tight-lipped at this stage as to the exact nature of the new restaurant, confirming only this: “Some-thing special is about to happen in Waterford”.
The current renovations incorporate the third chapter of a mammoth transformation at the Forum, which commenced in January 2006 with the location of the country’s first ‘Next Door’ Off-License Superstore on the site of the former Glen Tavern bar.
A new departure in offlicences, Next Door, Forum Waterford not only has an eye-catching exterior but also in a distinctive surrounding features a specialist range of over 600 wines, champagnes, spirits, and a large selection of imported beers from around the world, something to suit every budget.
But there’s so much more at Next Door, Forum Water-ford with every convenience you need for a great night in including DVD hire, ready made meals, snacks and coffee. Next Door, Forum Water-ford also offers ‘Everything but the Guest’- a complete party service, which includes all your drinks and glass requirements, along with food by Jack Molloy Catering, delivered to your door.
Next came Phase 2 of the imaginative refurbishment programme, which saw the Forum’s upstairs live music and entertainment venue (previously known as Stage
2) increase in size twofold and undergo a complete over-haul, including the addition of a modern, state-of-the-art stainless steel bar, new lift and toilets and the creation of a new Loft Room at the top of the building which doubles up as a Green Room for visiting acts. The venue has a number of major acts lined up for after the summer, while hugely successful resident indie club Traffik continues to rock the rafters every Saturday night.
Meanwhile the downstairs refit and refurbishment, which will not effect business at either the venue or the Next Door Off-License, continues with a vengeance under the guidance of local building firm, M Kirwan & Sons and is being overseen by McNally Design, an award-winning architectural firm who have worked on a range of both Irish and international projects.
According to Ciaran O’Neill, when the restaurant opens in October, dining out will never be the same again. “As with Next Door and our Venue, we’ll be taking a fresh approach and giving people something novel, something very unique and, quite simply, the very best that Waterford or indeed anywhere in Ireland has to offer”, he commented. Watch this space!
