Watch: Demolition work begins on popular Belfast bar as it makes way for a new student block

Demolition work has officially begun on the former site of a popular Belfast bar and nightclub, which is set to be transformed into Belfast’s latest student accommodation building.

Diggers and other equipment have been seen working at the Dublin Road venue over the last number of days as the building was taken apart.

Significant demolition work has already taken place with the old building now largely removed.

The party spot which was often popular with students will soon be housing them, with more than 200 student apartments earmarked for the site.

Filthy McNasty’s and its adjoining cocktail lounge Liquor XXX held a final party on New Year’s Eve before both closed their doors for good to make way for the demolition.

In 2023 planning permission was granted for the 11-storey housing block, despite objections from a nearby hotel.

The developer, FMN Properties Limited, also applied to build a replacement pub on Ventry Street.

Last year it was reported the estimated construction cost is around £7 million.

It is also expected that 123 construction jobs will be created over the duration of the building period and 23 new full-time employment opportunities will be created.

Announcing their final New Year’s Eve party, in a social media post Filthy’s described it as the “end of an era”.

“Join us for one last unforgettable night at Filthy’s this New Year’s Eve,” they wrote.

“This isn’t just any party – it’s the final chapter in our story, a celebration of all the memories we’ve shared before we close our doors for good. Let’s make it a night to remember.”

Meanwhile in another post on New Year’s Eve, Liquor XXX said: “So as I’m sure you’ve heard today is our last day on the Dublin Road.

“We’ve shared some amazing memories with every single person who’s walked through our doors and we would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has supported us over the years.”

The bar had been operated by Bachus Inns Limited and was a fixture on the Dublin Road for more than 15 years, widely considered one of the city’s best-known bars.

It is thought to be named after a favourite haunt of Shane MacGowan in Pentonville, London.

Filthy’s has been the site of numerous brawls over the years, including a 2017 incident in which a student with Crohn’s disease suffered a perforated bowel and had to have their appendix and part of their intestines removed after a bouncer kneed them in the groin.

In 2021, a father and son who ran a Belfast barbershop together were fined after launching an assault on a member of bar staff following a Christmas party in December the previous year.

Meanwhile in October last year the bar received a one out of five rating from the Food Standards Agency following an inspection, with “major improvement” needed in the management of food safety.

While food handling hygiene was good, improvement was needed in the cleanliness and condition of facilities and the building.