Lidl opens first-ever pub in Northern Ireland as The Middle Ale welcomes customers

Lidl Northern Ireland has officially entered the hospitality sector for the first time, opening the doors of its new public house and off-sales, The Middle Ale, in Dundonald.

The retailer’s first-ever pub welcomed its first customers on Thursday, marking a significant expansion beyond traditional supermarket retailing and creating eight permanent jobs in the process.

Located beside the existing Lidl store in Dundonald, the new venue gives customers access to Lidl’s full range of wines, beers and spirits in a dedicated hospitality setting for the first time in Northern Ireland. The opening follows a three-month construction project and expands the Dundonald Lidl workforce to 35 employees.

Newly appointed bar manager Samantha Hill officially cut the ribbon at the launch event, while The Middle Ale team marked the occasion by donating £1,000 in Lidl gift vouchers to Dundonald Foodbank.

A first for Lidl in Northern Ireland

The new 60-seat public house operates independently from the adjoining Lidl store and is accessed through its own separate entrance.

The venue comprises a 60-square-metre pub area alongside a 24-square-metre off-sales section, with additional restroom facilities and backbar space.

Construction was led by MMG Contracts and Marcon, while the interior was designed by hospitality specialist Gordon Devenney of O’Donnell O’Neill. The designer is known for work on a number of prominent hospitality venues, including The Foundry and Belfast’s Linen Hall Bar.

The pub’s interior draws heavily on Lidl’s brand identity, incorporating the retailer’s signature colour palette, geometric design elements and references to Dundonald’s local history. The result is intended to create a new community-focused social space within the town.

Beer, wine and spirits at the heart of the offering

Rye River Brewing Company serves as The Middle Ale’s house pour, complemented by a range of draught beers and ciders.

Customers will also find zero-alcohol alternatives, while the wine list features red, white, rosé and sparkling selections recommended by Lidl’s Master of Wine, Richard Bampfield.

The drinks offering extends to a broad range of spirits and liqueurs, including Lidl’s own-brand Dundalgan whiskey and Wild Burrow Gin alongside recognised premium brands. Pre-mixed cocktails, soft drinks and Lidl’s Freeway cola are also available.

Although the venue will not serve hot food, customers can purchase a range of Lidl-branded flavoured crisps as bar snacks.

Eight new jobs and a new community space

Speaking at the opening, Lidl Northern Ireland Regional Managing Director Gordon Cruikshanks said the project represented a major milestone for the retailer.

He said:

“Today marks an important milestone as we open our first ever public house and begin welcoming customers to The Middle Ale. We’re thrilled to finally bring the Dundonald community access to our full range of high quality, premium beers, wines and spirits for the first time in more than two decades.

“We recognise that there has been a great deal of local interest and anticipation around this project, which is why we have taken a measured and responsible approach to its opening, ensuring it complements the local area and provides a high-quality hospitality experience for existing Lidl customers, visitors and residents alike.”

Mr Cruikshanks added that early customer feedback had been positive and said the company was pleased to create what it described as a much-needed community space within the growing town.

Opening hours and licensing arrangements

The Middle Ale will operate from 3pm to 11pm Monday to Thursday, from noon until 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 12.30pm to 11pm on Sundays.

Its associated off-sales will operate in line with Lidl store opening hours:

• Monday to Saturday: 8am to 10pm

• Sunday: 1pm to 6pm

Lidl said the development progressed in full compliance with the Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 and operates under Northern Ireland’s established licensing surrender principle, which received approval from the High Court of Justice in Northern Ireland in January 2025.

The retailer also confirmed that Challenge 25 age-verification procedures and wider Responsible Retailing Code measures will apply across both the pub and off-sales operations.

The opening of The Middle Ale represents a notable diversification for Lidl in Northern Ireland, bringing a new hospitality venue, additional employment opportunities and a distinctive retail-led pub concept to Dundonald.