South Dublin pub ‘Brickyard’ reopens after €300,000 investment

After months  closed due to renovation works, the Dundrum gastropub ‘Brickyard’ is set to reopen this week after undergoing a complete structural and interior transformation. After noticing a significant gap in Dundrum and surrounding suburbs for a modern bar that offered extensive craft beer, and great pub food, Brickyard was opened in 2016 by veteran hospitality duo Simon Moore and Erwin Pollard. After six years of waiting to be able to make the significant structural, design and workflow changes they have craved, the best pals turned business partners are excited to reopen their doors this week, to loyal locals and new patrons alike.

Pollard and Moore have been working together since their teenage years, and always in the hospitality industry. Erwin gave Simon his first ever job, working alongside him in the Hamlet Court Hotel in Kildare, at only 15 years old. And the two have been business partners ever since.

When speaking about why Brickyard has become such a South Dublin staple, Simon said:

“We think Brickyard is unique in South Dublin because there is nowhere else that does the quality food, craft beer, cocktails, and wine that we do in such a space, one where you can come with the lads to watch rugby and have a few pints, you can bring the girls for brunch and cocktails, or the family for dinner. When coming up with the concept for Brickyard we simply wanted to create a place where we ourselves wanted to go. There was nowhere this side of the suburbs with a combination of a wide selection of craft beer, proper cocktails using homemade ingredients, genuinely really great gastropub food, and a comfortable, stylish atmosphere to enjoy it in. We’re located right above the Balally Luas Stop on the Green Line, which makes us super easy to get to and from.”

Taking Brickyard over from its previous proprietor was no easy feat, and a serious renovation was needed before opening for business in 2016. After embarking on their initial revamp, Simon and Erwin encountered countless problems, resulting in their budget being surpassed before the renovation was near complete. They were unable to reach the design they had envisioned, and they were obliged to patch up any interior problems for the following years, as they built up their clientele and perfected their menu offering. Having now built Brickyard’s reputation and enjoyed several years of bustling business, the two owners decided now was the right time to complete their original Brickyard dream.

When asked about the decision to renovate Brickyard, Erwin says:

“We decided last year that we wanted to complete our vision and undergo a full refurbishment, including extensive work to our kitchen and back-of-house areas. We engaged the young and ‘think outside the box’ team at Third Mind Design last year to come up with the concept and create something that aligned with our vision. We wanted to make sure our premises matched the standards that our food, drinks and service deserves. We wanted to create a space that looked beautiful, modern and comfortable, but one that our regular customers will still visit and feel like they are still in Brickyard.”

The decision to invest €300,000 between the business partners to ensure the gastropub will reach its full potential was significant given the challenging few years the hospitality industry has had.

Brickyard reopened Monday, 12 February and is located directly above the Balally Luas Stop on the Green Line.