INNISHMOHR, Main Street, Coatbridge ML5 3HH
Innishmohr in Coatbridge was Steve Graham’s very first venture in to the licensed trade. That was some 10 years ago, and since then his company Manorview has expanded immensely, but Steve still has a soft spot for the Innishmohr and he is delighted that the pub has now had the makeover it deserves.
Steve told DRAM, “It was time to put some investment into the pub. It’s always been a good pub, but it was tired. And since we have re-opened it has been busier than ever.”
Even before you go through the front door you are aware that the Innishmohr has been refreshed. Its stained glass windows have all been replaced and the outside has been painted dark green, new lamps have been fixed and the steps leading to the bar have been re-tiled. It certainly looks more inviting.
Inside doesn’t disappoint. Although the bar remains in situ, it has been totally refreshed and behind its facade everything is new.
The bar itself is a traditional rosewood bar, which boasts a gleaming brass handrail and a super shiny bar top. New brass fonts set it off. The backbar is made of striking dark green wood – with plenty of display space for bottles. While all the under counter fridges are brand new. The lighting above the bar is quite distinctive in the style of oval nautical bulk safety lamps.
Newly re-upholstered bar stools line the bar, on a new area of tiled flooring. The rest of the flooring has also been replaced and looks like traditional wood floorboards. While the roof has been painted a dark red and the wood has been stripped back and refreshed.
The designers have been quite clever in they have kept a lot of the old features but have given them a modern make-over. For instance original brickwork which is evident throughout the venue has been stained a distressed white.
As you come in to the bar – on the right hand side beside the new windows there are three fabric upholstered window seats which have barrels which act as small tables, and there is a snug area featuring a mix of leather and fabric uphostered wing-backed chairs and a low coffee-style round table.
To the left there is a new tranche of booths – three in total, with high fixed seating and quilted leather-like upholstery in a rich green. Above these substantial booths the distressed brick wall is quite striking and it there is also a new flat screen TV, just one of the new TV’s that has installed. Three traditional looking lights take pride of place although there is not a lampshade in sight.
The wall on the far left, is where the entertainment area is, and it boasts a mural of whisky barrels which is a very effective backdrop.
Further through there is a sports area with a large flat screen TV’s and a pool table. A few booths have been introduced here too. It’s a large area which now looks fresh and more contemporary.
All in all it is a very sympathetic refurbish-ment. Orchestrated by
Space id with the contractors being Adams Contracts. Says Steve, “We have mixed the old with the new, and have probably made it more of an entertainment venue and sports bar with the extra flat screens. We were only closed for six weeks and I am really pleased with the outcome.”