Cheers to the Harbour Bar as they scoop ‘Pub of the Year’

The team from The Harbour Bar, Portrush with the bar's awards for Pub of the Year and Best Charity Initiative at Pubs of Ulster's Pub of the Year Awards. In addition to these two Awards, The Harbour was shortlisted for a further four awards on the night Best Marketing Initiative, Best Big Idea, Best Food and Best Barperson (in association with The Sunday Life). A further six awards were handed out on the night hosted by Apprentice star, Jim Eastwood at La Mon Hotel and Country Club on Wednesday 13th November 2013. Belfast was strongly represented with three of the big winners from the city: The Limelight (Best Entertainment); The Garrick (Best Big Idea) and The Hudson Bar (Best New/Improved). Further afield, The Elk in Toomebridge clinched the Best Food Award and The Wild Duck Inn won the Best Marketing Initiative Award. Margaret Ferguson from The Lakeside in Ballydugan, Co. Down and Maggie McGaughey from The Front Page in Ballymena were named joint winners of Best Barperson (in association with The Sunda

The iconic bar was also recognised for its extensive charity work, as it lifted its second Award of the night for Best Charity Initiative.

Commenting on The Harbour’s winning formula, the Pub of the Year Awards judges said: “The Harbour Bar is a wonderful venue, at the heart of the community and the tourist trail.

Celebrating the award wins, Fionn McAlpine, The Harbour Bar said: “Being named Northern Ireland’s Pub of the Year is a real honour. We’re delighted, especially as we were up against some tough competition. We are also thrilled to be awarded for our charity work, led by Willie Greg, who has raised so much for various causes, including Willie’s Orphan Fund, which he set up after the Boxing Day tsunami to help Thai orphans.

“Our entire team works so hard and to have this dedication and commitment recognised by Pubs of Ulster is a tremendous achievement.

Not content with claiming the most hotly contested award of the night, as well as the Best Charity Initiative gong, The Harbour Bar was also a finalist for the Big Idea award and was shortlisted in the Best Food category. The Harbour Bar’s Willie Gregg was also shortlisted for the Best Barperson (in association with The Sunday Life) Award. The Cellar Bar at The Port Hotel was also shortlisted on the night for the Charity Initiative.