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This is the inside of a Cork institution, Cork’s Bodega Bar on Corn Market Street. The Bodega is a superbly appointed bar, with good food, a fantastic, multi-cultural atmosphere, and it is incredibly child-friendly.
I’m sitting here in the bar, in shock, as the staff have just informed me that the bar (and the associated Savoy Centre) have been sold, all the staff given notice that they will be made redundant effective on Friday week (9th?) and the bar is to be closed.
Seemingly the new owners don’t intend to re-open the Bodega as a bar but no-one knows what their plans are yet.
I’m very disappointed as the Bodega is one of my favourite bars and is a great place to being the kids for lunch on a Saturday.
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I’m Tom
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31 responses to “Cork's Bodega Bar sold – to be closed!”
Ah that’s bloody rotten. It’s a lovely friendly place and I’d been hoping to bring the kiddies there some Sunday. The “property market” is really really starting to get on my nerves now.
Ouch, that’s bad news. I haven’t been in there in ages but I’ll drop by later and take a few snaps of the inside for my blog.
Very disappointing to hear that. The Bodega opened just before I moved from Cork back to Limerick and it had a certain kind of vibe that you couldn’t find anywhere else. I’ll be in Cork Saturday night so I’m definitely going to go along for one last drink there. 🙁
I somehow read Donncha’s comment as “I’ll drop by later to take a few taps”. I wonder who’ll get the huge screen?
What a shame – it was one of the only places that made Cork feel like a real city when we moved back to Ireland in 1998. You are right, it’s great for kids and had a great atmosphere anytime. I am gutted!
I like the atmos in the Bodega, but the high roof makes it impossible for me to have a conversation with anyone in there.
Well, that’s not good at all. I love coming back to Cork and enjoying a lazy afternoon in the Bodega (and generally meeting Tom and Pilar amd family!) and then back in for an evening session.
Is it a property developer?
What a crying shame.
[…] friend of mine sent me this blog posting yesterday and I must admit I was completely shocked. The Bodega is easily my favorite bar in Cork city and I […]
I’ve lots of fond memories of that bar. How the heck could they close such a popular place? I really hope they don’t “redevelop” it into a super pub.
That leaves the brog now for late night pints. Woe is me!
Oh No! Tragedy.
Thanks for letting us know Tom, will have to organise one last hurrah before Friday.
[…] Tom comes the sad news that the much loved Bodega Bar in Cork has been sold by Bellinter owner Jay […]
[…] As Tom notes, the Bodega is closing. This Friday in fact. I really loved that bar. Anyone interested in going in there on Thu or Friday evening for one last hurrah and to thank the staff. Or most of them anyway. With a few exceptions the staff in there are wonderfully helpful and friendly and quite chatty. You feel welcome in the place unlike so many other places these days. What’s worse is that they’re turning it into a clothes store or something. Jesus. More here on Boards.ie too. Also more here and here. […]
Apparently (just love that word) it has been bought by the owners of the Mahon Point hellhole and to be re-opened as a department store.
Shame.
Ah jaysus. One of the few bars tolerable pre-smoking ban because of the high ceilings and as I discovered last time I was home the food’s not bad – had only tried liquid products previously! All the manky bars there are in Cork and they had to close THIS one!
I felt a tangible sadness when i heard of the demise of what it is in my mind,one of the greatest meeting points in Cork city.Many an afternoon i spent sitting there with friends drinking coffee as the sun shone and caught the reflection of those magnificent windows.A social and cultural expreience lost to big business…The Bodega Bar…RIP.
I felt a tangible sadness when i heard of the demise of what it is in my mind,one of the greatest meeting points in Cork city.Many an afternoon i spent sitting there with friends drinking coffee as the sun shone and caught the reflection of those magnificent windows.A social and cultural expreience lost to big business…The Bodega Bar…RIP.
could you hear me gasp all the way over here in Miami? had been looking forward to visiting the bodega next time in Cork, but alas … any suggestions for comparable watering holes with decent food and good cheer appreciated.
Does anyone remember what year the Bodega opened? It’s a great loss.
that was the best place in town. big hug to all ex workers
a shame indeed… I remember working there as a barman, was my first taste of Ireland, where I only spent 6 months. I was there in 2002 I’d say, and the place’d been opened for at least 1 or 2 years when I arrived.
Worked there back in the renaissance days of 96, 97, 98. Left Cork City in 98 to return to terra australis, with so many fond memories of Cork City and the Bodega.
bodega re-opening may 4th, as a club though as far as i understand it
Hey Ian, just read your comment on closing the Bodega. Had been looking forward to visit it next week on my trip to Cork ;-( I remember the days and hours I spent at the Bodega back in 97 and 98 (while studying at UCC) and you working there. Also remember your farewell celebration, you left a few weeks before I returned to Munich. How are you, how is life in down under?
Marie
i am sooooo sad that the bodega is closing. please please please re consider. its the only club thats good for the thirty somethings out there. i’m so upset. the bodega brought me back to life in 2008, nearly cried last night at the last night. it was emotional. love it to bits. great crowd, great staff, great music. boo hoo…..
re-opening under new owner, benny mccabe, in may or so
http://www.peoplesrepublicofcork.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=795
The Bodega has been saved from the retailers that planned (and did’nt get planning approval) to turn it into a clothing outlet and was subsequently sold to Benny McCabe of Sin É, Mutton Lane, Oval and Crane Lane fame, who plans to turn it into a “tapas bar for Irish people”. Should be interesting. Opens inthe middle to the end of May. But at this stage you’re surely aware of all of this anyway… By the way Tom, how does Sevilla compare with Bishopscourt?! It’s far from it you were reared!
Hey Dave – great to hear from you. I booked a meal in Jacobs last May to celebrate our wedding anniversary but you weren’t working there any longer 🙁
What are you up to these days?
Sevilla is great – superb food, tremendous weather and cheap beer – bliss!
er….never worked there…Probably the only place in Cork I HAVEN’T worked. I’ve EATEN there a few times, but…
This is the ex-Fraggle Rock Dave on the corner of the green in Bishopstown, that was in the local news lately.
Dave is such a popular name that clarification is usually necessary!
Ya, I’ve heard that Sevilla’s beautiful. But you’d miss the rain all the same…..
Ah! Sorry Dave.
I was mistaking you for a Dave who was in my class in Spioraid Naoimh. You were a year ahead of me and we’d often chat walking down Bishopscourt Rd together after school. Cool!
Isn’t it great that the Bodega lives on? The spirit of the place is alive..art, good food and drink and great sounds. The furnishings are more glamorous than before, but I think we all need a touch of that, especially now. Cheers