It has been almost 400 years since Belfast’s first tavern license was granted, so we headed to investigate what has punters still coming to the same city centre spot after all this time
Depending on who you speak to, the title of ‘Belfast’s oldest pub’ is often up for debate. But when it comes to the city’s oldest tavern, there is one venue that proudly wears its history as a badge of honour.
The story of White’s Tavern, nestled in Winecellar Entry, begins in 1630 when the building that houses the popular pub was granted Belfast’s first tavern licence.
Anchoring it at the start of the city’s licensed trade, Winecellar Entry developed into a hub for wine and spirit merchants and saw the building move from a commercial warehouse into a place of social gathering.
Almost 400 years on, Whites has become one of Belfast’s most popular nightlife complexes – with the Tavern still standing strong, White’s Garden offering a buzzy night out, the Beer Hall a go-to for live sports and NI’s first Guinness-only bar, White’s Store, offering the perfect pint.
Belfast Live headed down on a rainy Wednesday afternoon to cosy White’s Tavern to chat to General Manager Siobhan McKenna and The Clover Group’s Marketing Director Abigail Bolton about White’s role in Belfast’s hospitality history, its rapid expansion, and plans to go full circle in the future.
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The Clover Group took over White’s Tavern back in 2019, making its mark with a major refurbishment, which would see the venue expand into the powerhouse complex it has become today.
But centuries before they held the keys, Abigail shared how in the 1800s, it operated as a wine and spirit warehouse, a trading post for fishmonger John Walker and began its transition to public house use before becoming a fully functioning pub embedded in the city’s social life in the early 1900s.
Officially given the name White’s Taven in 1962, it’s survived the Blitz, it’s survived The Troubles, and it’s even survived a global pandemic.
“There are a few other bars that say they are the oldest bar in the city, but we are a tavern and had the first tavern license,” General Manager Siobhan explains as the buzz of an afternoon in the Tavern happens around us.
“Basically, what a tavern license meant was that they had rooms upstairs and a cellar down below or on the same level.”
If the Tavern walls could tell stories, so can Siobhan, who is White’s longest serving member of staff.
17 years of service make her an integral part of the bar’s story. She said: “I started as a glass collector and bar-back – my aunt was the manager at the time, and my sister was actually the chef too, so that’s how I started here.
“I then just worked my way up, so at 17 I started to waitress and then at 18, I could start on the bar and then stumbled into management after that.
“The Tavern is still, and will always be, my favourite part – it has that cosy, home vibe, but also you get to meet different people every day when you are in it.
“I think the Tavern is the reason I’ve stayed so long. There is never a dull day.”
In 2021, she took up her position of General Manager of White’s and has been at the helm as White’s Beer Hall and White’s Store were added to the White’s offering.
For those unfamiliar with how White’s has grown since The Clover Group stepped in, Abigail shared how it has evolved from a landmark venue into an unstoppable complex.
“The Garden came from Covid – we wanted to open something that was open-air,” she explained.
“At that point, there was no retractable roof or anything, but we wanted it to focus on seasonality and offer something a bit different from the Tavern.
“You have your small plates, cocktails, alfresco dining, and then we were able to move that along with the roof covering. It’s great because we have a mixture between live music and DJs so there’s a bit of everything.”
Next came the Beer Hall in 2022, the venue that “merged things together”, giving a happy medium between the Tavern and the Garden – keeping with the traditional pub feel but adding a modern twist.
They could never have expected that what once was a store room space would become one of White’s most unique selling points – the first Guinness-only bar on the island of Ireland.
Abigail continued: “Sitting outside on the barrels or at the open window and just calling in for a pint of Guinness is what was imagined.
“We wanted people working in it to have a personality so that you can call in and chat to the person behind the bar – a more old school kind of vibe.”
With the growing offering comes a growing customer base, something that Siobhan has welcomed with open arms.
“Why we are so popular at the minute is we have something for everyone under the one roof – you can have a full night out with live music, sport or trad sessions or a quiet pint in the Tavern or Store.
“It is great because, whenever I started, it was always more of a tourist bar or you’d get people in at lunch from the offices around but we would have died early on. We would have closed at 8pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
“Now that White’s has been put on the map, we’re open right through and more people are finding out about us and popping in – you’re still getting our regulars and the older crowd, but younger ones are also coming in, and there is somewhere for everyone here.”
As for the future? If plans are approved, then White’s will really be going full circle and returning to its real tavern status with the addition of rooms above the existing complex.
It will see the refurbishment of the existing vacant floors above the bars, transforming them into 36 bedrooms in a style that complements White’s history.
The new hotel will see a further investment of £2m, following The Clover Group’s acquisition of the building in 2024 for £5m.
Last year, when announcing the plans, Mark Beirne, Director of the Clover Group, said: “While the concept for the hotel is yet to be announced, each room will have a story to tell, strengthening the link to the rich history and heritage of the Tavern.
“We are excited about the new project, not only as it will add a new holistic dimension to our strong offering at White’s but also because of the value it will add to Belfast as a dynamic and fun location for both local people and international visitors.”
Abigail gave an update, adding: “We are just making sure everything’s right and just the way we want it. It’s a fantastic-looking building, and if you go upstairs, the views you get across the city are lovely.
“It’s going to have a wee bit of personality in each room.”
On what makes White’s magic, almost 400 years since the building began its journey to the bustling venue it is now, Siobhan said, while it “feels like home” to her, it is a place for everyone and anyone wanting a great night’s craic in Belfast.
“Our staff love to chat, and that’s what people want from a place like White’s – they want you to have a conversation, they want to hear about the history and a welcoming atmosphere.”
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