Overview

I stopped in at The Dirty Onion for a bite to eat with a friend I hadn't seen in a very long time. I initially went in through the front entrance, which consisted of an outside bar and a courtyard with plenty of seating, only to learn that there were steps down to the main bar area. I was directed to a second entrance, which was level and took me straight into the main bar. The space was cosy, with a coal fire at the back of the room giving both the warmth and scent of a smoky campfire. There's a decent selection of beers on offer, including Tennents, and a limited but practical menu of roast chicken, ribs, burgers and seasoned fries. I enjoyed my meal, but I had to send a friend up the stairs to order for me, as we were told you can't order at the bar – only for them to bring food to you in the bar area.

Transport & Parking

The nearest bus stop is on Victoria Street, 160 metres away, where the 2J, 2K, 2M, 96 and 696 services operate. There are also standard parking spaces on nearby Waring Street.

Access

When using the side entrance, the bar is fairly accessible, but the pavement on approach leaves much to be desired, and entering through this short lane feels a little unwelcoming. The doors to the main courtyard were pinned open, allowing ease of access, but the doors to the bar area are double wooden doors. My friend held the door for me, and there was enough space to pass through in my wheelchair. There was an overabundance of chairs in the room, so much so that we had to move four to sit at our table. I suppose too many chairs are better than too few. There was no lowered section at the bar, so I found myself speaking over it to place a drink order. I did have to stretch a bit to pay using the card machine, but the barman offered to bring the drinks to our table, which was nice. I've marked this part a little lower due to the issue I mentioned in my introduction. One shouldn't have to go up steps to order food that they bring to your table anyway! A QR code on the table or the option of ordering at the bar would make life so much simpler. There were no alternative formats in use and very little signage.

Toilets

The accessible toilet is located to the right of the bar in the main bar area. The door opens outwards and does not require a RADAR key for access. The toilet is on the rear wall and has space for a left-side transfer. There are white rails on either side of the toilet, which contrast with the black walls, and the red cord hangs to the left when seated. The cord wasn't tied up - love it! The small sink has a lever-style tap and contrasting grab rails on both sides. The toilet could easily accommodate a powerchair, though there's little room to turn, and an additional person if needed.

Staff

The staff were friendly and helpful, and bringing drinks to our table was a nice touch.

Photos