Chocolate Bar closed at the end of 2014 after many years of operation. The pub and bistro was located on Common Quay Street in Wexford Town, near the Bullring, and remained a popular venue throughout the 2000s and early 2010s.
The Renaissance
Until around 2009, Chocolate also had a nightclub called the Renaissance.
The Renaissance opened in the summer of 2005. At the time, the Centenary Stores was the town’s main nightclub. White’s Hotel launched The Colony a few weeks later, giving the town three venues.
During the June Bank Holiday weekend of 2005, local newspapers compared Wexford to Ibiza as thousands of revellers filled the streets. Although Gardaí had expressed concerns about policing the huge increase in late-night crowds, the weekend passed without any serious trouble.
That summer marked the peak of the town’s nightclub scene. Over the following two decades, all three venues would close.
The Renaissance offered a different atmosphere from its larger competitors. Its smaller size gave it a more intimate feel and helped it feel lively on quieter nights.
Patrons would often visit Chocolate for drinks while waiting for the Renaissance to open. Around 10pm, the double doors would open, and people would begin to line up.
After passing the bouncers, patrons walked up a flight of stairs and entered the nightclub.
Downstairs, the bar area had a more relaxed atmosphere. Chocolate regularly showed football matches on its televisions. At night, the screens would play music videos from Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, and 50 Cent.
Wexford Town’s nightlife suffered significantly after the 2008 recession, as crowds dwindled, young people emigrated, and patrons began to spend less.
The recession forced nightclubs such as the Lava Lounge and the Music Factory to close.
When the Renaissance closed, Chocolate remained open and continued to operate as a bar for another five years.
The owner of the premises, Bull McCabes Ltd., entered receivership in 2014. Later that year, receivers Grant Thornton put the property up for sale on behalf of Ulster Bank.
An Asian street food restaurant called Ramen opened on the ground floor around Easter 2017.