Food will play a big part, along with sport and live music
Operations manager Alex Russell-Jones and general manager Chris Best pictured at Waterside Bar + Kitchen(Image: Joseph Raynor/ Reach PLC)
A bar on the doorstep of Nottingham Forest’s City Ground has changed hands — and the new owner is promising a return of “Southbank vibes”.
After 21 years the spiritual home of Reds’ fans, at Trent Bridge, went from Southbank to Waterside Bar + Kitchen. During the pandemic it was taken over by London-based RedCat but now it’s reverted to local ownership once again.
The pub closed for a refresh over a whirlwind 48 hours and reopened to the public on Thursday evening.
Waterside has become the fifth venue of the award-winning Local Pub Company, which runs the White Horse in Ruddington, the Unicorn’s Head in Langar, The Duck at Woolsthorpe and The Bradgate in Leicestershire.
Owner Andy Hunt used to live nearby and remembers the site in its glory days. “I’m a big Forest fan, so that’s a tick.
Waterside Bar + Kitchen in West Bridgford (Image: Joseph Raynor/ Reach PLC)
“I’m hoping to put my stamp on an already good site that has a good history. We are taking it back to the heady days of the Southbank Bar, with live sport and live music being the bar’s main focus. Then we will have our amazing food offering coming from the kitchen.”
The group has built a strong reputation for food at its other pubs. Group head chef Daniel Cain has created a laidback menu more suited to the venue, which promises to have the same quality.
“Even when it was Southbank you’d come past and it was quiet in the week so we’re trying to fill the gap with our food,” said Andy.
Small plates such as scotch egg with homemade brown sauce, ham hock pork pie, fried chicken and halloumi fries are on the menu. Pub classics of steak and chips, pie of the day and sausages and confit garlic mash feature.
Waterside Bar + Kitchen in West Bridgford (Image: Joseph Raynor/ Reach PLC)
Burgers, fries loaded with the likes of pulled pork, spiced tomato relish or onion bhaji, and sourdough pizzas are served and Wednesday has been decreed Wings Wednesday with offers on ten, 15 and 20 wings.
On Sundays, attention turns to roasts with beef, porchetta, chicken, and for veggies, roast squash and chestnut loaf with all the trimmings.
Kids, who are allowed in until 9pm, can tuck into steak burger, chicken strips, pizzas, sausages and pasta with ice cream or chocolate brownies for desserts.
Match days, when it’s standing room only, will look after themselves. Live sport will be shown on TV, with an increase in screens around the bar plus a new bigger 85in television which has just been installed.
The house band will be performing every Saturday night from 9pm and there’ll also be DJs playing vinyl. “People can either finish or start their night with us and they know there’s something constantly happening,” said Andy.
A new 85in television has been installed (Image: Joseph Raynor/ Reach PLC)
The beers haven’t changed massively. Amongst the range are Madri, Guinness, Pravha and Caffrey’s Black Stout. A new cocktail menu has been launched and the wines have been changed to match the other sites.
Coffee, including takeaway cups, from local roastery Stewarts will be available. The other pubs in the group are “doing really well,” but Andy added: “It’s getting harder. The government is squeezing so much out of each site that you have to do more to make the same amount of money. And when good opportunities come up you’ve got to take them.
“Hopefully it’s something West Bridgford and people from surrounding areas and coming out of town, can gravitate towards. We’ve got the amazing terrace in the summer and we’ll be doing things like we do at our other sites.”
Opening hours are Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4pm and Fridays from noon. The bar will also be serving breakfast at the weekend.