The Weir Bar and Grill

It was my first visit to The Weir Bar and Grill in Hessle and having heard rumours it was something pretty special, I had high expectations. However as soon as I opened the door and stepped into the bright, spacious bar area, these were exceeded.

The décor at The Weir is funky and retro, the bar is lit up in metallic hues and the ceilings are high and boast strategically placed sky lights. I felt like I had walked into a bar in London’s trendy West End and not a café bar in the heart of Hessle. On first impression this place really looks and feels the part, so I thought I would catch up with owner Darren Goulbourne to find out more.

We talked about food, music and bringing the WOW factor to West Hull.

Q: So how did you first get involved in the restaurant/entertainment business?
A: I have worked as a DJ for over 20 years playing soul, funk and old school classics. I recognised that my passion was for entertaining people and I wanted to take this a step further. I always dreamed about owning a place like this.

Q: So when did you acquire The Weir?
A: I have only just recently taken it over. I got the keys on the 15 February and after sprucing up the interior, The Weir reopened for business. I am so passionate about this place and I believe it is certainly the best café bar in the hull by far.

Q: What would you say is the concept behind The Weir? A: I think it offers something unique to Hull. It is stylish and swanky and people can eat and drink in lovely, chic surroundings. As soon as you walk in you get the ‘wow’ factor but this place is so much more than that, as it offers a classy dining experience. We have attentive staff and the bar always has a cool, chilled out ambience, which is enhanced by the New York style swing music played during the day. The main focus here is the food and we pride ourselves on offering excellent food at affordable prices.

Q: What type of food do you specialise in?
A: The food we offer is light and we adopt a contemporary, casual approach to dining. We do a variety of dishes from morning Brunches through to homemade burgers, sandwiches and salads. Our Mains include Mussels in white wine and garlic, Marinated Chicken Brochettes and Seared Tuna. Our food is healthy and nutritious and our chef has real flair in the kitchen. Lunchtimes are always busy and we have a crowd of regular “ladies that lunch”. Everybody gets dressed up, infact we often joke about how it is like Ladies Day at Ascot! We also get many office workers and a great deal of bookings for corporate events.

Q: Do you have any special nights?
A: Because of my background in music, I am also very big on the entertainment element here. Every Wednesday we host an Open Mic night headlined by Roxanne of Pop Idol fame. On a Friday and a Saturday night The Weir comes alive with soul, funk and old school classics provided by two excellent resident DJ’s. It really is the place to be and it’s packed with footballers and young trendy people. Because we are open until 2am we find that we attract many of the people who have become disillusioned with the Avenues. People who are fed up with the queues and general humdrum of Princes Ave and want something with a bit more class come to The Weir.

By Rachel O’Connor

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