It’s one of the best streets in the city for a night out.

Now there’s about to be yet another reason to visit Cork’s MacCurtain Street; the new Thompson Bar and Restaurant is expected to be open before April, offering a new spot to enjoy good food and locally brewed beer.

According to Tommy Barker in the Irish Examiner, the new restaurant and micro-brewery will open in the corner unit of Thompson House at the junction with York Street.

The owners have plenty of experience too; brewer Eoin Lynch established the Cotton Ball brewery at the family bar in Mayfield in 2013.

The Victorian revival

With Cask widely recognised as Ireland’s best cocktail bar and The Shelbourne setting a Guinness World Record for the most Irish coffees served in three minutes this week, Cork’s Victorian Quarter is an exciting place to be these days.

The Glass Curtain, which opened in the former Thompson Bakery building before Christmas, is drawing a steady foodie crowd (there’s a nose-to-tail dinner happening on Valentine’s Day), while Gallagher’s, Novecento, Isaacs, Tara’s Tea room and the White Rabbit Bar and BBQ (reopening after a renovation in March 2020) all offer excellent casual dining.

Traditional pints can be had at The Cork Arms or Dan Lowery’s and work has also begun at the Windsor Hotel, a new €7m ‘micro-sleeper’ hotel for Cork City, designed by Meitheal Architects.

Across the street, Trigon Hotels Ltd. is planning to add up to 400 extra bedrooms as part of a refurbishment of The Metropole Hotel.

We can’t wait for another excuse to #crossthebridge.