Hot Press has been given an exclusive walk through of The Workman’s Club, the new entertainment complex located just a few doors down from The Clarence Hotel on Dublin 2’s Wellington Quay.
Due to spring into life on September 8, its broad-based booking policy will allow for stand-up, film screenings, acoustic gigs and full-blown rock shows in the main 280-capacity venue, which will retain the building’s original antique chandeliers, banquettes and the type of high-countered bar that your Ma and Da would have propped up when they were courting.
There’s another bar on the second floor boasting superb views of the Liffey and a semi-enclosed outdoor smoking area, which will be open throughout the day.
The ‘70s-themed third floor is home to a smaller 100-capacity venue, which in addition to comedy, acoustic gigs and movie nights will be available for private hire.
There are more nooks and crannies on the fourth floor, which means that The Workman’s Club will be able to indulge in all manner of multi-tasking.
“We’ll be promoting in-house and also inviting independent promoters and bands to put on their own events,” says booker Karl Geraghty who previously worked for Aiken Promotions. “We want The Workman’s Club to be as inclusive as possible and encourage people to try new things. We see it very much as a do it yourself venue, which will probably result in a higher concentration of Irish acts who are looking for somewhere a bit different to play. We’re not going to be the next Whelan’s or the next Button Factory – this is something different. I'd also like to think that we could put on bands like The Dubliners and that their fans would feel comfortable coming here.”
Although not open to the public for another nine weeks, The Workman’s Club has already had some interesting knocks on the door.
“Bono, who’s one of our landlords, came in unannounced for a look, sat down and watched the band we’ve had rehearsing in here,” Geraghty continues. “We also had a European agent who I’d never met before come in for a look on the Friday and pitch acts to us on the Monday.”
The first band to confirm a Workman’s Club date on November 22 are Oregon power poppers Blitzen Trapper who'll be plugging their Destroyer Of The Wild album. It’s also one of the venues that will be playing host to this year’s Hard Working Class Heroes festival, which runs from October 7 to 9.