Dockyard opens at Barons Quay offering games, craft beer and PLY Pizza

Dockyard is officially open for business at Barons Quay.

Opening night, on Thursday (November 2), saw the venue packed to the brim as eager customers flocked to experience everything the bar has to offer for themselves including games, craft beers and woodfired pizza.

General manager Dan Baker couldn’t be happier with how things went.

He said: “We’ve had a really good turnout despite the weather.

“Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves, all the pool tables are booked up and lots of people are giving the shuffleboard a go.”

Dan Baker, manager of Dockyard at Barons Quay (Image: Newsquest)

Dan has worked for the Dockyard chain of bars for nine and a half years, starting out behind the bar at the flagship venue in Media City.

The new site in Northwich has offered employment for lots of local people.

“We have a really good group of staff, all local,” Dan added.

“They literally all live within 20 minutes of the bar which is really good.

“Obviously we wouldn’t usually have this many working but everyone’s still getting used to the site and getting to know each other.”

Asked if there were any teething problems, Dan said: “Not really had any hiccups so far, a few little operational things we need to iron out but nothing major. It’s gone surprisingly well actually!”

Take a tour of Dockyard Barons Quay 

With news that Snap Fitness is to open a 24-hour gym and with Wild Tots having recently filled the unit previously home to Sticky Paws, it looks to be an exciting time for Barons Quay.

“It looks like its slowly filling up which is good, bringing more people to the town,” Dan added.

“The more things that open the better, with more for people to do in Northwich.”

As well as pool and shuffleboard, visitors to Dockyard can enjoy a game of table tennis or foosball, with interactive darts set to arrive in the coming weeks.

There are also retro acrade and pinballs machines and a huge roof terrace overlooking the River Weaver.

On tap is a lineup featuring a range of local brewers such as the Mobberley Brewhouse and Northwich’s own Hush, as well as big name brands such as Madri, Coors, Guinness and even UFC star Connor McGregor’s Forged Irish Stout.

Accompanying this is food by Hometown Burgers and Manchester-based PLY Pizza.

The outdoor roof terrace (Image: Newsquest)

Among the visitors on opening night was fellow publican, Stephen Lamb, who runs the Lambs Wharf in Lostock Gralam with his wife Sue.

“As it was our night off from our own pub thought we would go and have a look. We were very impressed with the place, it has been really done well,” he said.

“The food was lovely with quite a good selection, hopefully it will do really well and we wish them all the success.”

Also paying a visit was the team from Hush Brewing. 

Co-owner Chris Birtwistle said: "It is a great addition to the town.

"A venue like this brings people into Northwich as a destination for an evening/night out and ultimately supports the general scene in the town which is a benefit to all.

"One of the great things for us is that they are supporting local by having our beers on alongside some great national craft breweries and their own beers from their gasworks site."

Dockyard is open from midday to late Wednesday through Sunday, opening from 5pm on Tuesdays and closed on Mondays.