Downpatrick Bar and Restaurant Opened By The Traynor Family in Market Street
• Now open: Traynor’s, Bar and Restaurant Run By A Family For Families In The Heart Of Downpatrick
Traynor’s Bar and Lounge Restaurant located Market Street in Downpatrick is under new management, and for its first couple of weeks after openin, Stuart and Leanne Traynor are delighted with the feedback they are getting from their customers.
Formerly the Old Mart Bar, Traynor’s is a family-run business for families to come and enjoy good food in a comfortable, relaxed setting. The premises has undergone a major uplift.
Leanne said: “We have decorated the whole bar and put new furniture in the front bar and it looks very smart now. Jack Logue of Pro Steam came in and cleaned the seating and tables, and he has done a great job in refreshing the tiles throughout. They are like new.
“You can even call in and have a coffee and chill out in the lounge area during the day. We have space for 100 covers where we serve up an exciting menu. The food is prepared by local chef Daniel Carling whose speciality is preparing smoked ribs, chicken and beef.
“Our menu which will further develop through time offers really tasty dishes so that people can dine during the day in comfort in the heart of Downpatrick. We are family-friendly and we have a kids menu too, and the children receive colouring-in sheets which keeps them occupied while the meal is being prepared.
“We like to support our local businesses and provide quality food at modest prices people can afford.”
Leanne said that her own businesss background was working as an air hostess with Jet2 and also she spent time in retail management bringing that experience to the business. She added: “My husband Stuart worked in software development and is now busy behind the bar at our pub restaurant.
“He really enjoys his work. When he was just 12 years old, he worked in Rae’s former pub and restaurant which was just a few doors down the street from us and learned about the bar trade back then. He is looking forward to building up the business.
“Our chef Daniel Carling is a talented local chef bringing his flare for cooking and experience literally to the table with a unique style and interesting flavours.
“Daniel smokes food in the smoker we have outside and this provides a unique flavours for the menu. His ‘Picky Platter’ which is priced at £12.50 is very well presented and colourful, and he does a vegan version of it too at £9.00.
“You can enjoy a range of meals from barbecued pork ribs and chicken wings, to hand-made chicken tenders and a selection of meat dishes.”
Leanne explained that they have two trainees going through their NVQ Level 3 in catering and hospitality through Rutledge Training at the moment to bolster the team.
While waiting on their entertainment licence to be processed, Leanne added that already several people have already inquired about private functions saying they have even plans to lay down a small dance area.
“It’s still early days but we are definitely getting there. Our customers have been very impressed so far by our standards. The premises is spotless and we intend to keep it like that.
“Our menu consists of a light lunch menu, the main menu and we have a Sunday lunch too that is already booked out for the next two weeks which is amazing.
“And the kid’s menu of Kid’s Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Cheeseburgers, Chicken Strips, Kids Cowboy, a humus bowl prepared daily, all comes with a selection of pickles and dips made in-house.
“Interestingly, even our cat called Jack has got in on the act! He has been turned into a cartoon character and ‘presents’ the menu to the young diners. And ice cream comes with all kids’ meals.”
Leanne said that she had found the staff in the Mirabelle Bar further up Market Street very helpful and supportive and felt already accepted into the Downpatrick business community.
Leanne added that she has four children, one of whom has multiple disabilities. She added: “Megan is 23 years old now, and some time ago we fundraised £40,000 so she could have stem cell treatment completed in China.
“The people of Downpatrick and beyond were very generous in supporting us through this difficult time, and we are very thankful Megan is now doing much better.
“It is very exciting running your own business and everything is going well to date. Our customer base is building up steadily by the day.”
When I sat down with Leanne last Friday, in a quiet corner of the restaurant, I was the first person to sample a delicious Latte from her new Conti coffee machine just installed which makes a range of coffees, hot chocolate and teas. It seemed that within a short time, the restaurant area was filling up fast just after twelve noon. Time for me to go.
Daniel’s food was already coming through the service counter and I’ll give him full marks for presentation as his dishes certainly had a Wow! factor.
I’ll definitely be back!
Phone number: instalation pending.
E-Mail: [email protected]
Facebook Page: Traynor’s Bar
Traynor’s Bar, 94 Market Street, Downpatrick, BT306LZ.
