'Our ambition was to create something genuinely different': Northern Ireland family-run hospitality group to open new £600,000 cocktail bar

A new chapter in hospitality is being marked in Armagh this week with the official opening of The Meridian this Friday, bringing an ambitious new cocktail-led bar experience to the heart of the city.

The £600,000 venue, created by the McKeever family as part of a wider £4 million investment programme at Armagh City Hotel, has also created eight new jobs.

More than a new addition to the hotel, The Meridian has been conceived as a destination in its own right, bringing together a curated cocktail experience and world-class hospitality expertise in a distinctively designed space.

Inspired by the Meridian Line and Armagh’s heritage in astronomy, navigation and timekeeping, the bar has been designed by Belfast-based brand and experience specialists Drinksology, and in collaboration with hospitality expert, Greg Buda, both of whom were central to the success of New York’s celebrated Dead Rabbit.

McKeever Hotels also partnered with the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, working with Senior Education Officer Heather Alexander to ensure the Meridian’s cocktail menu was in keeping with the city’s famous tourist attraction. Drawing on stories from astronomy, the menu takes guests on a journey through different regions of the world– travelling from Ireland, to the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, North and Latin America and finally to Asia.

Cocktails range from The Leviathan, inspired by the enormous telescope built at Birr Castle in Co Offaly, to Cassiopeia, based on a Greek mythological queen who is represented in one of the most recognisable constellations in the night sky.

Speaking of her role in The Meridian, Heather Alexander said: “Armagh has an extraordinary connection with astronomy, and it has been a joy to help interpret that heritage in such a different setting. We believe there’s a story behind every name and we’re brought this to life through the cocktail menu, drawing on some fascinating astronomical stories and hopefully introducing them to a whole new audience. It is a creative way of celebrating a part of Armagh’s identity that makes the city truly distinctive.”

The emphasis on craftsmanship continues behind the bar, with syrups, infusions and signature ingredients prepared by hand in-house. The wider drinks list features Northern Irish drinks brands including Boatyard, Copeland, Jawbox, Bushmills and Hinch, while the bar’s own draught beer, The Meridian, has been brewed especially for the venue by Whitewater Brewery.

Ahead of the opening, Greg Buda delivered a week of intensive training to The Meridian team, sharing the expertise and attention to detail developed over an international career at the highest level of the bar industry.

According to The Meridian’s new bar manager, Giulia Frau, the experience has helped set the standard the team intends to deliver from day one:

“Great hospitality is about much more than serving an excellent drink; it’s about how you welcome people, how well you look after them and making the whole experience feel special. That’s the standard we want every guest to experience at The Meridian.

“Greg’s time with our team has been exceptional. He has given them the tools and strategies to succeed and created a sense of confidence which will set our service level apart.”

Speaking ahead of the opening of the new venue, Eddie McKeever, managing director of McKeever Hotels, added: “Our ambition was to create something genuinely different for Armagh. We wanted a venue which locals would be proud to have on their doorstep, but which would also give people from Belfast, across Northern Ireland and beyond, another compelling reason to visit the city.

“For us, The Meridian is about much more than beautiful surroundings. Every element has been considered, from the drinks and service to the stories behind the experience, making it uniquely Armagh, and much more.

“We believe this sets a new benchmark for hospitality in the area, strengthening Armagh City Hotel’s position as an all-island tourism and conference destination. We’re proud to finally open the doors and let people experience it for themselves.”

The 120-capacity venue also incorporates The Constellation Room, an intimate space for premium spirit and wine tastings, as well as private dining facilities.