A popular pub in Liverpool has reopened under the helm of a pub-passionate landlady with big ambitions to make the pub the go-to place in town.
The Marine Bar & Kitchen which sits on South Road in Waterloo has opened under the helm of Management Partner Aoife Finnegan who, after working in the hospitality industry for over a decade, has taken the plunge to run her own pub business.
After moving from her native Monaghan, Ireland over two years ago, Aoife managed a busy Irish bar in Liverpool’s city centre and had her eyes set on the Marine from the first time she saw it.
She said: “The Marine looked like a sleeping giant waiting to be loved! The pub had so much potential, and I wanted to be responsible for bringing it back to life again.
“Since the age of 16 I’ve worked my way up in the pub and restaurant world and as my mum has always worked in hospitality and manages her own pub back in Ireland now too, I’ve developed my own passion for pubs and people.”
Aoife first saw potential in the Marine’s two beer gardens, she described them as having the best potential in the area. With south-facing gardens making them a suntrap in the summer months, Aoife cannot wait to welcome the local community in to enjoy them.
She continued: “Having nailed our plans for the pub’s beer gardens, we instantly got to work on our next priority – the kitchen. With big ambitions I set my sights on being able to serve food for Easter Sunday, and I’m so pleased to say we did it!
“The pub is now open for food seven days a week from 12noon until 9pm. It’s hearty, real good pub food and it’s what the community wants, the feedback has been nothing but positive!”
With an extensive menu combining traditional pub classics with a variety of burgers, pizzas, mid-week specials and Sunday roasts, The Marine Bar & Kitchen offers something for everyone.
It’s not just the pub’s food offering and green space that Aoife was excited by, situated just a short walk from Crosby beach and accessible by excellent public transport links, the Marine Bar & Kitchen lies truly at the heart of the town.
Having been trading for a number of weeks already, Aoife has already noticed an influx of new custom and says that she is grateful for the backing of the community who have been nothing but welcoming to her and the team.
“I was very lucky that when walking into the Marine, I’d inherited a brilliant team. Everyone is wonderful and we all share the same passion and love for pubs and people,” Aoife said. “Working behind the bar is supposed to be fun, it’s hard work and no two days are the same, but the camaraderie that comes with it, makes it the best job in the world.”
Aoife’s trusted sidekick, and Manager, Sophie Hughes added: “I’ve always seen the great potential in the Marine from the very first day. I had no experience of working in the hospitality industry before I started here four years ago, but I quickly progressed and climbed the ladder. I’m proud to say that I’m Assistant Manager, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds here.”
Looking to the future, Aoife’s big plans for the pub go way beyond reviving the two beer gardens and curating an unbeatable food menu. She also has ambitions to create a dog-friendly station, launch weekly interactive quiz nights and host live music events to be enjoyed all year round.
The next big event will be the Marine’s official launch night, which is taking place across the May bank holiday. Weather permitting, Aoife and the team are hoping to put on a huge family-friendly celebration to include an outside bar and bouncy castle.
