Grill Music Venue

Infobox Bar
name = Grill Music Venue
owner = Paul McGlinchey
type = Nightclub
photo =
caption = GMV Logo
opening_date = 1961
closing_date =
website = http://www.gmv.ie/

The Grill Music Venue also known as The Grill formerly The Golden Grill is a major nightclub located in Letterkenny, County Donegal , Ireland. DJs and live acts that have played in the Grill include Shane McGowan, Ash, Hot Chip, Dirty Sanchez, Fun Lovin' Criminals, Paul Van Dyk, Judge Jules, Republic of Loose, Ocean Colour Scene and Chuck Berry. Over the years it also hosted everything from Fianna Fáil conventions to bingo sessions.

The complex houses six bars - Black Bar, VIP members bar and Ocean's Restaurant, Bar and Casino. The other three are located in the Main Room.

History

The venue was established by former Fianna Fail Senator, Bernard McGlinchey and opened in 1961. A key success factor for the complex was its 1,000 car parking spaces. Bellas Club was born in the seventies and the Millionaire Club opened in the eighties.

Forty-six years after it first opened the entertainment complex went under a major €2 million refurbishment. 21 Spaces, a Dublin based Donegal owned interior design company, designed the newly refurbished complex. The team was also behind the Oceans Restaurant which is incorporated into the Grill facility. After its refurbishment the venue now houses six bars and two smoking areas. [ [http://www.donegaltoday.ie/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=3423&ArticleID=2848939 Piping hot Grill set for re-opening] Donegal Democrat May 3, 2007]

2008 Raid

The Grill Music Venue was raided by An Garda Síochána, on Saturday March 29, 2008. The gardaí were using the powers of a 1874 Licensing Act to seize drink they believed was being sold without a licence. [ [http://www.independent.ie/national-news/gardai-use-old-law-to-seize-up-to-8364200000-in-stock-from-nightclub-1332913.html Gardai use old law to seize up to €200,000 in stock from nightclub] Irish Independent March 31, 2008] [ [http://www.highlandradio.com/news.php?articleid=000001890 Cllr says closure of the Grill is “a step too far”] Highland Radio March 31, 2008]

The management of the venue subsequently renewed their licence and took court action to recover tens of thousands of euros worth of drink seized from the premises by gardaí. [ [http://www.derryjournal.com/journal/Grill-wants-drink-back.3935279.jp Grill wants drink back] Derry Journal April 2, 2008 ] . [ [http://www.nwipp-newspapers.com/dn/free/315476023459817.php Three more Letterkenny premises under garda investigation] Donegal News April 4, 2008]

Sale of Premises

The Grill remained shut unexpectedly on the weekend of 2 and 3 August 2008. [ [http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/3423/Grill-closed-in-Letterkenny.4355922.jp Grill closed in Letterkenny] Donegal Democrat 5 August 2008 ] This is a public holiday in Ireland and is known to be one of the busiest throughout the year. It was later revealed that the business had been placed on the property market after confirmation that it had gone into receivership. Advertisements announcing the sale of the premises by private treaty appeared in weekend newspapers. [ [http://www.derryjournal.com/inishowen/Famed-nightclub-closes-down.4370353.jp Famed nightclub closes down] Derry Journal 8 August, 2008] [ [http://www.letterkennypost.com/2008/08/15/grill-sold-rumours-unfounded/ Grill sold rumours unfounded] Letterkenny Post 15 August, 2008]

Performances

The Grill Music Venue has played host to many major international bands and DJs including:

References

External links

* [http://www.gmv.ie/ Official Site]
* [http://www.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?MemberId=5583553090 The Grill on Bebo]
* [http://www.thebackpacker.net/worldbars/73145_letterkenny_worldbars.htm GMV reviews]
* [http://entertainment.ie/venue_information/The-Golden-Grill/32381.htm GMV at entertainment.ie]
* [http://www.ticketmaster.ie/venue/197431 GMV at ticketmaster]
* [http://www.goireland.com/donegal/golden-grill-night-club-attraction-nightclubs-id27580.htm GMV at goireland.com]