Landmark bar Electric reborn as The Merchant after major transformation on South Mall

The former Electric bar has undergone a major transformation ahead of a high-profile reopening in Cork city centre

Still under wraps, but due to open on May 22, The Merchant on South Mall now occupies the premises formerly known as Electric Bar. Picture: Noel Sweeney

Drum roll, please ... after months of spirited debate, late-night amendments, and several proposals shot down because the name might not sound right after a few pints, the pub formerly known as Electric is set to reopen as The Merchant.

Following a six-month renovation, Cork city’s newest bar, at the Grand Parade end of South Mall, is preparing for a May 22 opening — just in time for round five of the Munster Senior Hurling Championship, when Cork senior hurling team face Clare senior hurling team at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

The pub will have “a huge focus” on sport, said publican Ronan Murphy, and will prioritise “beverages over food”.

Renovations in full swing at The Merchant, 41 South Mall

Formerly owned by Ernest Cantillon, the premises was bought off-market at the end of 2023  by the Emporium Company in a €2m deal. The group, which includes Mr Murphy, has since invested “a seven figure sum” transforming the building.

The interior has been reconfigured to create a “cosy” ground-floor bar, while the first-floor space, named the Beamish Room, will be available for private hire, gigs, and weekend overflow.

Mr Murphy said The Merchant will be “the only bar in the city where you can sit inside and have a pint and still be right beside the river”.

View from the new Ladies' loo at The Merchant

“It’s unique in that sense,” he said, noting that the rear windows are just a few feet above the River Lee.

The venue will employ about 30 staff, with capacity for 200 customers downstairs and 160 overhead.

A new riverside entrance will provide direct access to the Beamish Room, named in honour of William Beamish, who co-founded the Beamish & Crawford brewery in 1792.

Mr Murphy said the decision to re-name the bar The Merchant was a nod to the businessmen who were instrumental in shaping the city’s prosperity, dubbed “Merchant Princes”.

Publican Ronan Murphy pictured at his new pub, The Merchant

“The whole naming process was laborious,” he said, adding that they “spent weeks and weeks chatting about it and drawing up lists”. 

“We thought about all the merchants that had contributed to the city and when you get into it, it’s a total rabbit hole. In the end instead of using just one merchant’s name, we landed on The Merchant.” 

Attaching the Beamish name to the function room was also a reference to the former bar at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, he added.

The acquisition of Electric by the Emporium Company marks its first hospitality venture in Cork city, adding to a portfolio that includes Tradehouse Central, JJ Coppingers, The Castle, and Mabel Lane.

Mr Murphy said they were hopeful customers of their suburban bars would also visit their new city venue.

The premises when it was still Electric

Commercial interior designer Paul Haffey — who also worked on Mabel Lane — is overseeing the design of The Merchant. Features include a mahogany bar counter, burgundy wall panelling, a salvaged fireplace with a wood-burning stove, display cabinets for maritime and GAA memorabilia, and two small stage areas across the two floors.

Live entertainment is planned seven days a week, including trad sessions, comedy, and gigs in the function room, which can also operate as a meeting space during the week.

Care has been taken with the building’s distinctive art deco-style exterior, which dates to 1930, when it was built by two O’Shea brothers returning to Cork from Chicago after the 1929 Wall Street crash.

O'Shea's Ford dealership, 41 South Mall

 It was built in what was then an ‘experimental’ steel and concrete frame, and served for a time as a Ford Motor dealership.

As part of the latest redevelopment, the toilets have been relocated upstairs, the main bar has been opened up, and plans are in place for a snug area. Rose Construction is handling the building work, with joinery by Allwood.

The new owners — who also include Rory O’Doherty, Derek Walshe, and Jim McCarthy — are liaising with Cork City Council about improvements to the riverside boardwalk where there are plans to seat up to 80 people, some on South Mall.

The Merchant's riverside setting

“The overall aim is to create a really good city-centre pub,” Mr Murphy said, “at a time when the city is experiencing renewed momentum in hospitality and regeneration.” 

Cork City Council has invested multi millions on public realm upgrades on nearby Grand Parade and South Main St in the past two years, with more public realm improvements near completion at the far end of South Mall.

Meanwhile, directly across the river from The Merchant, the long-idle former tax office site is poised for redevelopment if builder/developer BAM is cleared for a student accommodation project.

Mr Murphy said it was “a big commitment” on behalf of the Emporium Company to take on the new venture, “but we are delighted to be part of the hospitality sector in the city centre”.

“There’s great positivity around tourism and hospitality and we are delighted to be able to contribute to that,” he said.

Cork pub sales

The east facing view of the River Lee from the first floor landing at The Merchant.

The past few months have also been busy for pub sales across Cork city and its suburbs, with several high-profile deals completed. These include the purchase of The Wilton in January by publican Paul Montgomery for about €3m.

Since then, West Cork businessman Damien Long has bought The Viaduct on Bandon Road for more than €2m, with plans to develop it into a transport and travel hub.

Reidy’s Vault Bar on Western Road sold for around €600,000 to a buyer with a hospitality background.

An offer of €1.9m has also been accepted for Paddy the Farmers on Summerhill South.

Bull McCabe’s on Kinsale Road sold for €730,000, while The Grange Bar sold for more than €1m.

Talks are also under way with a Dublin-based restaurant operator regarding Tequila Jack’s on Lapps Quay, which is guiding at €1.3m.

Meanwhile, The Model Farm on Model Farm Road is sale agreed at its €1.2m guide price.

• Catherine Shanahan is the Irish Examiner's Property Editor

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