Barnsley is set to welcome a new destination for live music and authentic hospitality as Katie O’Brien’s Irish Tavern prepares to open at The Glass Works. The family-owned venue will take over the unit formerly occupied by TGI Fridays, which closed in autumn 2024, becoming the thirty-third tenant in the town’s flagship retail and leisure hub.
Named after the owners’ grandmother, the tavern is designed to be a community-focused space. It will feature a stage for talent from across Ireland alongside emerging musicians from Barnsley’s local scene. Beyond live music, the venue will serve as a hub for major sporting events, including the Six Nations, Champions League, and Premier League.
The bar will feature a range of traditional Irish beverages, including “perfectly poured” pints of Guinness and Murphy’s, rotating Irish craft beers, and a selection of small-batch whiskeys.
Gordon Codona, Owner of Katie O’Brien’s, said: “We look forward to bringing the authentic Irish spirit of Katie’s to Barnsley.”
Cllr Robin Franklin, Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture at Barnsley Council, added: “Barnsley town centre has a fantastic mix of bars, places to eat and outstanding independent retailers, and Katie O’Brien’s is a great addition to The Glass Works. For the past seven years in a row, Barnsley town centre has been awarded Purple Flag status, recognising its commitment to creating a dynamic, secure, and vibrant evening and night-time economy. Barnsley offers something for everyone, and I’m sure Katie O’Brien’s will prove to be a vibrant venue for visitors to enjoy.”
The opening follows a successful period for Barnsley town centre, which recorded 9.2 million visitors in 2024/25. The addition of the tavern aligns with an extensive 2026 events calendar that includes the Barnsley Book Festival, the International Market, and the Barnsley Garden Party.
