Queens Arms

01/06/2026

A big congratulations to our next-door neighbours, Rocca, who today celebrated an incredible 15 years in business! 🎉🥂

Fifteen years ago, Rocca first opened its doors, and since then it has become one of the town centre's best-loved businesses, serving generations of customers and becoming a real part of the local community.

Reaching 15 years in business is no small feat. It takes dedication, hard work, early mornings, late nights and a commitment to looking after customers day in and day out.

It's fantastic to see independent businesses reach milestones like this, and today's celebrations were thoroughly deserved.
Congratulations to everyone involved on an amazing achievement.

Here's to the next chapter and many more successful years ahead. 🎉 🍾🎊

31/05/2026

Well, what can I say - what a weekend it has been in Coleraine town centre.

The International Spring Market was almost like a state secret for most of the week. There was very little publicity, then all of a sudden on Thursday night... BOOM... people found out about it.

Since then, the town has been absolutely buzzing.

On a serious note, it has been one of the busiest weekends I've seen in Coleraine for quite some time. The streets have been busy, the market has been packed, traffic has been heavier than normal, and businesses across the town have been seeing a steady flow of people throughout the day.

I've personally seen faces in the bar that I've never seen before. People have been travelling from all over the Borough to come and have a look around.

There are still a few hours left until the market finishes at 6pm, and the town is still buzzing. Even at this stage of the afternoon, people are continuing to arrive, stroll around the stalls, grab a bite to eat and enjoy the atmosphere.

Who would have thought a market that barely anyone knew about until Thursday night would have half the Borough talking about it by the weekend?

mmmmmmm, might go up for a bit more of the fudge. Getting a bit peckish.

That said, I feel like I've spent the entire weekend as Coleraine's unofficial Toilet Traffic Warden.

The number of people who came into the bar looking increasingly desperate was unbelievable. My role quickly changed from pulling pints to pointing people toward the public toilets at the Town Hall.

At one stage, I was considering putting on a high-vis vest and charging £1 per direction.

"Toilets? Out the door, turn left, straight across to the Town Hall. If the side door is closed, try the front doors. Godspeed."

A glamorous weekend in hospitality indeed.

29/05/2026

Up before the birds this morning, sorting out a bit of legal paperwork. Nothing quite says "Happy Friday" like coffee in one hand and a stack of documents in the other. ☕📄

The good news? It's Friday.

The better news? The weekend has officially arrived.

The even better news? There's a big International Spring Market taking place in Coleraine town centre this weekend. The only mystery is that it seems to have been promoted with roughly the same level of publicity as a secret MI5 operation.

Hopefully plenty of people stumble across it, enjoy the atmosphere, support local businesses and fill the town centre with a bit of life and footfall.

And for anyone heading into town, a helpful public service announcement:

🚻 If nature calls while you're browsing the market, the nearest public toilets are in the Town Hall.

Because in Coleraine these days, finding the market might be easier than finding a toilet.

Happy Friday folks. If you need me, I'll be switching between legal paperwork, market spotting, and directing confused tourists towards the Town Hall toilets. 😅☕🌍🚻📄

28/05/2026

The famous bell

28/05/2026

🚽 Friendly reminder to anyone heading through Bridge Street… there are currently no public toilets available in the area.

Before you start eyeing up café doors, bars, or random buildings with desperation in your eyes like you’re on an episode of Bear Grylls… the closest public toilets are at Coleraine Town Hall 😂

Save yourselves. Plan accordingly. Godspeed.

27/05/2026

Ever since the Diamond Shopping Centre closed their toilets, it would appear The Queens Arms has somehow become Coleraine’s newest “public convenience”.

Over recent weeks there’s been a steady stream of people marching through the door with absolutely no interest in a pint, a chat, or even taking a second to admire my beautiful face… just a laser-focused mission towards the toilets.

Unfortunately, the toilets in the bar are for customers only. We’re a pub, not a branch of Northern Ireland Water.

A notice has now been placed outside this afternoon , and for anyone caught short, the nearest public toilets are available at Coleraine Town Hall.

At this rate, I’ll need to introduce airport-style security and a loyalty card for toilet visits.

22/05/2026

Attended the first Coleraine Connect event this morning, formerly known as Coleraine BID.

Firstly, fair play to the new team for extending the invite and it was genuinely encouraging to see a strong turnout from businesses across the town centre. There’s clearly interest in seeing Coleraine move forward positively.

That said, it was disappointing there wasn’t an opportunity for questions or discussion from the public floor. I would have liked the opportunity to ask a number of questions on behalf of local businesses and stakeholders, particularly during what is being presented as a fresh start for the organisation.

Open conversation and transparency are important, especially during a new chapter and rebrand, so hopefully future events will allow businesses and levy payers the chance to engage more directly.

07/05/2026

A lovely surprise dropped into The Queens Arms today ❤️

Following Hannah Scott’s recent Freedom of the Borough event, where family, friends and supporters gathered back at the bar afterwards to continue the celebrations, Hannah’s father, Mal, called in today to pop this thoughtful card in for us.

A genuinely lovely gesture and very much appreciated by all of us.

Wishing Hannah continued success with everything ahead — the support around her has been incredible to see 👏

04/05/2026

03/05/2026

Well… that was another bumper Saturday 👀🍻

The bar was flying, the craic was mighty, and we’re still wondering how we didn’t run out of glasses 😅

If you’re in or around town today, swing by… I promise there’ll be no council chat and absolutely no talk of any upcoming court cases 🤐😂

Just good pints, good company, and a bit of peace for once.