Less than a year after reopening under a new name, a well-known pub in North Shields is set for another transformation. Bloom & Berry, which opened in October 2025 on Nile Street, will close this summer to become the Irish Tavern, according to a Facebook announcement from the management on July 13, 2026.
From The Top House to Bloom & Berry to Irish Tavern
The pub, formerly The Top House, was listed for £160,000 in summer 2025 before being purchased by new owners. It reopened as Bloom & Berry with a dramatically different interior and exterior. However, on Saturday, the team confirmed the venue will soon shut down for a rebrand, promising live music and "craic." A flyer for the rebrand stated: "Same great people, same great times, but with live music and craic."
Customer Reactions and Competition
Regulars responded to the news on Facebook, with one commenting, "Not another one," and another writing, "Personally I don't see the appeal of Irish bars but everyone to their own." The North East has seen a surge in Irish-themed pubs recently, including Cup & Craic, Liberty Tavern, and Dirty Murphys in Newcastle city centre, The Canny Lad in Peterlee, Shenanigans in South Shields, and Kerry O'Shea's in Whitley Bay.
What to Expect
The Irish Tavern will feature live music every weekend, with further updates promised in the coming days and weeks. The management expressed excitement about the change, aiming to maintain the same atmosphere while adding new entertainment options.
