Derry’s Bentley Bar celebrating its 18th birthday
Successful city-centre pub a popular spot with locals and international visitors.
The Bentley, one of Derry’s most popular city-centre bars, is all grown up.
Established in Market Street in 2008, The Bentley Group’s flagship venue is celebrating its 18th birthday.
Speaking to The Derry News about the Group’s success - it now operates in six locations across the city and employs more than 300 people locally - owner Tony O’Connor described the past 18 years as “an incredible journey”.
“We first opened our doors on August 24, 2008,”he said. “I remember us working around the clock right up until we opened.
Laughing Tony recalling the frenetic opening night.
“There was a queue forming outside and we were still running around with screwdrivers, even putting up the optics behind the bar,” he said.
“My whole family was there - aunties, uncles, cousins and friends. Everyone was chipping in, lending a hand.
“When we opened the doors, we got the music organised and it was all hands on deck. We didn’t really know what to expect, to be honest, and it’s been busy since day dot. We started serving food the following day, and the rest, as they say, is history.
The Bentley has gone from strength to strength, but it would be nothing without the staff and the support of our loyal customers.
“My own 17 years of service in a nearby city-centre bar helped as well. A lot of the regular customers from there came up and supported us when we opened.
"People would have split their socialising between there and The Bentley. I can honestly say, that support meant a lot,” said Tony, who revealed he had another reason to be “very, very nervous” that opening night.
“My wife was also eight and a half months pregnant at the time,” he smiled. “As I said, we opened on August 24 and my second son was born on September 17, just three weeks later.”
Tony said he had always dreamed of having his own pub.
“When my previous employers sold up, that was the sign for me to go out on my own,” he added, “and I began looking for the right premises. It took a full year.
“The Linen Hall became available in May that year. There were a lot of negotiations with the landlord, which were really difficult.
“I definitely think the fact my wife Sheila was heavily pregnant at the time helped sell it to him, because he knew we were a young family trying to get started.
“Sheila and I have been involved from day one. I looked after the front of house and Ruairi (Ske), my business partner, looked after setting up the kitchen and the kitchen staff.
“We also worked with a lot of local contractors to get the Bentley up and running. The drink suppliers were amazing because of my long history in a nearby local bar and they really worked with us. I was really nervous because we were new to business, and considering that, it surprised me just how good the drink suppliers were to us,” recalled Tony.
“I could not have been done without Bank of Ireland and Diageo either, to be honest.
“I didn’t have a penny to spare back then, so it couldn’t have been done without their help and support. I will always remember what they did for me,” said Tony, whose heart was set on running a pub in the city centre.
“I had spent 17 years working in another city-centre pub, and the fact The Bentley was situated between two shopping centres and in such a busy part of the city made it the right location,” he added.
One of the highlights of the past 18 years for me has been being able to expand The Bentley Group. Opening The Bentley was definitely the stepping stone. If there had been no Bentley, there would not have been anything else in terms of the business expanding into numerous other businesses over the years.
“And, we would never have been able to expand without our network of loyal staff who have stayed with us over the years and progressed from part-time workers into management, office staff, head chefs and other roles throughout the Group.
“Every anniversary is a massive highlight. We’re very grateful to our staff and customers over the years for helping us make The Bentley, and The Bentley Group what it is today.
“The first Jazz Festival also always sticks out to me as one of the biggest highlights of the past 18 years. I could not believe the amount of new faces flocking to the bar. We had only been open around nine months at that stage, and to see all these new faces coming through the door was incredible,” remembered Tony.
“On the back of that, and through word of mouth, a lot of people visiting Derry would then frequent The Bentley.
I would always ask people, ‘How did you hear about us?’ I used to be baffled at how people knew about us when we were such a new business, but the hotels they were staying in were recommending The Bentley.”
The Bentley has also had many famous visitors over the years.
“One that really stands out is Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Joe Lo Truglio [the beloved Charles Boyle],” said Tony.
“When we were first told he was in the bar, we thought someone was having us on.
“Joe was brilliant with everyone, giving plenty of his time to chat with staff and customers, and he had a genuine interest in hearing about the history of The Bentley.
“We have also hosted Kevin Bridges, Lee Sharpe and Phil Taylor, who said he had the nicest Thai curry he’d ever had. So we always remember that.
“Daniel O’Donnell asked me and Ske to join him for breakfast and be part of his series. There might even be footage of us out there somewhere dancing around with him and Majella,” grinned Tony.
“We’ve also been lucky to welcome the likes of Paul Weller, members of the Derry Girls cast, comedian Shane Todd and actor Adeel Akhtar, to name a few, across The Bentley Group over the years. You really never know who you might run into.”
Turning to absent friends, Tony paid tribute to his friend and Bentley barman, the late Garvan ‘Hen’ Henderson.
“Hen was a massive part of The Bentley,” said Tony. “He was part of the furniture from even before the day we opened the doors and he never missed a day’s work. He is sorely missed, and we keep his memory going with our snug bar - Hen’s Den.
“We also remember Brian ‘Sparky’ Harkin, Sadie, Jimmy and all those connected to The Bentley who we have sadly lost over the years. They all played their own part in the story of the place and are always remembered.”
Asked what is the secret to The Bentley being so successful, Tony did not hesitate. “It is the people. The staff and the customers. That’s what makes a successful pub,” he said.
“Cleanliness, atmosphere, service and everything in between all matter, but at the end of the day it comes down to the people.”
Born in Glenowen in 1974 and raised in Pennyburn from 1983, Tony’s parents are Micky and Geraldine O’Connor. Married to Sheila, they have five children: Tony, Daniel, Anna, Cillian and Rua, and a grandson, Mason.
Reflecting on the past 18 years, Tony said he would like to take the opportunity to thank each and every member of staff who has helped The Bentley Group grow over that time.
“And of course all of our loyal customers and suppliers. The Bentley Group wouldn’t be what it is today without them.”