The Jar Ltd group have opened The Watson, a new bar and entertainment complex, in the heart of Belfast City Centre.
It comes after the group invested £3.5 million (€4.2 million) in the project which will create 40 new jobs. A further £1.5 million (€1.8 million) investment is planned for phase two, set to open in Spring 2025.
"The Watson has been years in the making, and we’re so proud to see it coming to life," said David Neely, operations manager at Jar Ltd. "This venue is designed to be a destination in every sense of the word, offering something for everyone under one historic roof. We can’t wait for people to experience it.”
Located at Little Donegall Street, The Watson will feature multiple venues, each of which aims to have its own distinct identity. Visitors can enjoy the Library Café & Cocktail Bar, which will offer a wine experience, a selection of premium spirits, a draught range, and expertly mixed cocktails.
Upstairs, the cocktail bar will include a bespoke menu and views from its first-floor windows. Alongside on the ground floor is The Watson Draught House, serving a combination of classic draught beers, craft creations, and internationally renowned beer brands.
The Watson will also be home to the revival of Frames Pool Hall, a Belfast institution popular in the 1980s. Frames will be restored to its former glory, offering a premium pool experience that harks back to its heyday when it was one of the largest pool halls in the UK. The complex will feature live music and DJs throughout the week.
Phase Two of the development is already underway, with the addition of Watson’s Wine Warehouse opening late Spring 2025 on the ground floor. This premium off-sales will feature the city centre’s most extensive selection of wines and beers.
"Our aim was to create a venue where people can come together, whether they’re enjoying live music, discovering our curated cocktail list, or experiencing the revival of Frames Pool Hall," said Neely.
"Every detail has been carefully considered to make The Watson a place where locals and visitors alike will feel connected to the city, its heritage, and its future.”
The Watson is housed in the Library House building, which has been a landmark of Belfast since the late 19th century. Known locally as the ‘Smoothing Iron’ due to its distinctive wedge-like shape, the building was designed by William J. Fennell for Robert Watson & Co., a renowned cabinet-making and upholstery business.
Completed in two phases between 1898 and 1907, the structure served as a furniture showroom and factory, with its products, including the famous Watson beds, gracing royal residences and even the Titanic.
