Fomer Chambers bar on Cork’s Washington Street up for sale

The former Chambers bar on Washington St is for sale, more than a year after its closure.

The bar, which opened in 2006 and was Cork’s only LGBTQ+ venue, was criticised by patrons in September of 2023 for rebranding as Sinners to appeal to university students.

Customers were angered by the name change, removal of rainbow flags, and other paraphernalia from inside the venue, and cancellation of drag shows for Freshers’ Week. The performers said they would no longer work there.

Protests 

Protests followed, and despite an apology from management, the bar has been closed since shortly after the jazz weekend last year.

It is now on the market, with Barry Auctioneers and Valuers describing it as a “high-profile, ground-floor licensed premises with all-year-round significant footfall”, which is “located in the centre of this established and active hospitality hub in Cork’s city centre”.

The former bar is fully licensed, with “great potential”, and is suitable for many more retail-type uses, including a fast-food restaurant or a convenience retail outlet, they added.

It is available immediately, with potential buyers invited to take over the 10-year lease, which has seven years remaining. 

The annual rent is €115,000, while the bar also pays yearly service charges of €16,000 and rates of €24,000.