It’s been closed since the start of the pandemic.

But South Main Street’s Liberty Bar has just reopened, with an artsy new interior and some tempting cocktails to try.

Manager, Diarmuid Clayton, says the new design is a nod to the building’s ‘lively’ past:

“We wanted to create a welcoming bar with a little bit of difference, and a small nod to the previous incarnation of The Liberty when it was a favourite haunt of the punks and students of Cork (a place where you could buy flagons and cans of cider.” he told us.

“The downstairs is a bright, relaxed open space with an industrial/eclectic feel. The bar features exposed brick, galvanised sheeting and conduit, old crates and printer trays and custom made shelving, and wine racks made with materials from Cork Builders Providers.

Upstairs at Resistance is a more luxurious speakeasy vibe; dark with subdued lighting, antique leather sofas, rugs and mirrors.

The walls are adorned with antique gilt frames which contain a series of unique pieces of artwork, commissioned by local artists.

“The only guidance they were given was the theme of resistance,” said Diarmuid.

“Local artists Alan Hurley, Kevin O’Brien, and Lucia Moreno are just a few of the local artists who have completed a piece for the new venue.”

The new signature cocktails include The Flagon and 5 Go down to the Sea, in honour of Cork’s original punk band – swing by 92 South Main Street to be one of the first to toast the reopening.