Status : closed 2008
52-54 Pilot Street
Belfast
County Antrim
BT1 3AH
To get to this little bar you have to walk down a cul-de-sac of large warehouses, which look as if they had seen life in the age of the clipper, and they probably did. The little bar is the last building on your left in the street, tucked in against the iron security gates. It is called The Rotterdam, because only 20 yards away was the place where the old ship berthed, and a previous owner, Captain Rodgers, was once her skipper. It was purchased in 1984 for the princely sum of £300 by Christopher Roddy (representing the 3rd generation in the pub game) and Ernie McGuinness when it was a burnt-out shell, roofless and severely damaged by rain. At the time, they were both on the dole, and had nothing to lose, so with the help of the Enterprise Allowance Scheme (£40 a week) and a total loan of £4,000 they got stuck in and started to put the old bar back on its feet. Chris told me they cleared 52 skips of rubble in 5 months before they actually started building. The young partners had a set idea on the kind of bar they wanted — an alternative to a modern bar stuffed with bits and pieces found in an auction. They hunted around for salvage pieces of wood (oak, pine and mahogany) which they found in skips, old derelict houses, buildings and churches. These they stripped, varnished, and then used for the seating, wall covering and counter as you see now. Some pubs that I visited had fortunes spent on them and though architecturally splendid, are actually uninviting, with little or no atmosphere. This is definitely not so with the Rotterdam. This is a living museum piece which oozes with atmosphere. As Chris explained: “We wanted to create a bar that was rough at the edges but full of character and life. A place where people could feel at home.”
This they have done delightfully.
The original licence goes back to 1820, but the pre-bombed building went back further still, till 1790. Originally it was a holding building for convicts due to be transported to Van Diemen’s Land. Chris told me up till 30 years ago, seemingly, it was still possible to see the heavy shackles on the walls.
A closer inspection of the premises reveals a random and rather arbitrary selection of items, like a number of muskets, an Afghanistan rifle, old scales, a greyhound cup from Celtic Park, and a fine selection of old advertising mirrors, including Ross’s Ginger Ale, Dunvilles, John Jameson, and Watts Tyrconnell Whiskey, to name just a few. Adorning the walls you will see old black and white prints of clipper ships, a fine old print of Gallagher’s tobacco factory as it was in 1880 (while I was there, ironically, they were razing it to the ground). The print that I liked best was the old sailing ship itself berthed at the docks close by and, in the background clearly to be seen, the old bar with the name Joseph Donnelly & Co. I was amazed to find here one of the largest selections of Malt Whiskies to be found in Ireland – 73 at the last count. Chris also told me he stocks 17 Dark Rums, and a most unusual liqueur called Mezcal Tequila, with a worm at the bottom of the bottle. He who orders the last half ‘un gets the worm to eat!
Live entertainment (most nights of the week) encompasses a wide range of music from contemporary to folk. Chris told me that although they support local bands and artists, they continue to hire artists from all over the world – Hungary, Russia, France, and featuring well-known names like Gerry Holland from Cape Breton in Nova Scotia, playing Irish traditional music, and Luka Bloom who Chris guarantees that the next time he plays in Belfast it will be in the Ulster Hall.
You’ll have guessed it by now – there is something special about The Rotterdam. This is unquestionably one of the “in” places in Belfast. As Chris explained: “We get people from all walks of life coming to the bar now; in fact, it’s becoming so popular people are saying it’s turning into a yuppie bar. But, in my book, anyone who has a job is a yuppie!” On the weekend nights, it breaks his heart to have to close the doors as early as 9.30.
The pair have now extended the bar to include a small beer garden, but also have great plans for the future. At the moment, they are awaiting developments on their doorstep – Laganside. Exciting days lie ahead for these two enthusiastic young owners, who have created a lovely atmospheric little bar out of nothing.