NQ institution Ply is to become Irish bar The Salmon of Knowledge

As we say farewell to the Northern Quarter institution that is Ply, we say hello to its new incarnation – The Salmon of Knowledge.

Not just any Irish bar, the new spot will taking its heritage very seriously, with its name harking back to ancient lore and the legend of Fionn mac Cumhaill, feted builder of the Giants Causeway.

To delve into the legend a bit, a salmon back in ancient times ate six hazelnuts which had fallen into the Well of Knowledge, at the source of the River Shannon.

In doing so, the salmon gained all of the world’s knowledge, with the first person to eat its flesh inheriting said knowledge. Enter Fionn mac Cumhaill, who in cooking it for his master, the Fenian poet Finn Eces, gained the world’s knowledge by accidentally burning his finger on the salmon, and then licking it to sooth the sore.

So with the lore in place, behind the bar they’ll be serving up the appropriate beverages too, with top flight stouts coming from the famed Franciscan Well brewery in Cork City, who will be supplying a range of quality black stuff that you’re unlikely to find anywhere else.

Meanwhile in the kitchen, the team from The Last Stop in Heaton Chapel will be turning out burgers and the Irish speciality, traditional boxty pancakes – soft potato pancakes in various forms, like with slow-cooked Guinness brisket, Guinness sauce and house fries, all to the way to Reuben-style and crispy buttermilk fried chicken boxty stacks.

There will be sports and live music six nights a week and, of course, an excellent pint of Guinness on offer, as well as a private whiskey tasting bar, with over 40 bottles to try.

Meanwhile, drop a confession in their confession box and if it’s scandalous enough, you could win a monthly prize.

Following its refurb, it’s set to open in September. Follow them on Instagram for updates here…