Grill Music Venue

The Grill Music Venue, also known as The Grill, formerly The Golden Grill, is an Irish nightclub located in Letterkenny, County Donegal. Regarded as the unofficial Fianna Fáil headquarters, it has hosted everything from Fianna Fáil party conventions to bingo sessions over the years.

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.

DJs and live acts to have performed at the Grill in recent times include Hot Chip, Ash, Shane MacGowan, Dirty Sanchez, Fun Lovin' Criminals, Paul Van Dyk, Judge Jules, Republic of Loose, Ocean Colour Scene and Chuck Berry.

History

Established by former Fianna Fáil Senator Bernard McGlinchey, the venue first 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 underwent 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.

Music venue

A music venue is any location used for a concert or musical performance. A music venue range in size and location, from an outdoor bandshell or bandstand or a concert hall to an indoor sports stadium. Typically, different types of venues host different genres of music. Opera houses, bandshells, and concert halls host classical music performances, whereas public houses, nightclubs, and discothèques offer music in contemporary genres, such as rock, dance, country and pop.

Overview

Music venues may be either privately or publicly funded, and may charge for admission. An example of a publicly funded music venue is a park bandstand; such outdoor venues charge nothing for admission. A nightclub is a privately funded venue; venues like these often charge an entry fee to generate a profit. Music venues do not necessarily host live acts; disc jockeys at a discothèque or nightclub play recorded music through a PA system.

Depending on the type of venue, the opening hours, location and length of performance may differ, as well as the technology used to deliver the music in the venue. Other attractions, such as performance art or social activities, may also be available, either while music is playing or at other times. For example, at a bar or pub, the house band may be playing live songs while drinks are being served, and between songs, recorded music may be played. Some classes of venues may play live music in the background, such as a performance on a grand piano in a restaurant.