The British is on North Quay in Douglas.
Opening Times
12-11 Mon-Thu; 12-Midnight Fri & Sat; 12-11 Sun
Meal Times
12-2, 5-9 Mon-Fri; 12-9 Sat; 12-4 Sun
Owner
Okell (Heron & Brearley)
About the Pub
This attractive pub on the quayside in Douglas, was originally designed by noted Victorian architect Armitage Rigby in the 'Arts and Crafts' style. The interior has undergone a tasteful make over with memorabilia from England with a London theme featuring stars from the past. The building itself is spacious with plenty of seating both inside and out and has an impressive function room upstairs. This is a busy fun venue offering a CAMRA members discount and has meet the brewer events.
Regular Beers
Okell's Bitter
Okell's Dr Okell's IPA
Okell's Okells MPA - Manx Pale Ale
Changing Beers
Often Okell's.
Shown below are the main facilities available in The British:
Real Ale Available
Real Cider Available
CAMRA member discount
Cask Marque Accredited
Lunchtime Meals
Evening Meals
Function Room
Live Music
Restaurant Area
Wifi
Source: (
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Information about The British from the visitisleofman.com website:
"The British on North Quay in Douglas is a classic, yet modern city-style bar serving great food and drink with a distinctly British feel, however, the real jewel in the crown is the function room on the first floor.
Opened late 2012, The British Embassy is a must for Sunday Lunch with traditional roast beef carved at your table in luxurious, comfortable surroundings with great views across Douglas harbour.
Served every Sunday from 12 noon to 4pm you can choose from a selection of traditional British and Manx food, locally sourced whenever possible.
Bookings are advised, but not essential as walk-ins are always welcome.
The British Embassy is also available for private hire. With a capacity of 80, they can create bespoke packages suited to all requirements and budgets." (
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"The British Hotel
The distinctive style of the present British Hotel on North Quay is to be credited to the celebrated architect Armitage Rigby. Woolf’s Brewery of Ballaughton, Spring Valley, held an architectural competition for the design of a new hotel to replace the original British and Commercial Hotel. The competition was won by Rigby who, after retiring to the Island due to ill-health, had entered the competition to relieve his boredom. So successful was he that he came out of retirement and was later to be credited with the interior design of the Athol Hotel, which stood on the corner of Regent Street and Loch Promenade. This wooden panelling survived the fate of the Athol Hotel, and has found a new home by Isle of Man Breweries in the Cat with no tail.
In 1896 the plans for the new British Hotel were approved by Douglas Town Commissioners, on condition that the urinal shown on the plan was to be used as a public urinal.
The building was described as being in the new Antique, Old English style, which would be an ornament to the Town and a credit to the company. It was built using bricks from the Ballanard Brickworks, Braddan.
Its licence was granted on 19th August 1896. At this court hearing, concern was expressed by the Superintendent over the fact that the hotel appeared to have two backdoors; this was settled when it was explained that one door went to the jug department and the other to the public urinal situated behind the property. The inaugural landlord was William Charles Newton who had previously been mine host of The Central Hotel.
On entering the hotel from the main entrance, one stood within a hall with a broad staircase and a coloured window on the landing. To the right was the snug and the manager’s private room, which were later amalgamated to become a bar room. To the left of the hall was the smoke room which was 44 feet by 20 feet wide and had oak settles around the walls. The Vaults bar was alongside the Market Hall and it measured 42 feet by 16 feet wide, the bar itself was of Kiwi pine with a walnut top and fittings to match. On the first floor was a principle room 60 feet by 20 feet which was used for clubs and meetings. Also, on that floor was the dining room, sitting rooms and first-class lavatory. The second floor had seven bedrooms and offices, whilst the basement housed the beer cellars and a wash-house.
The interior dividing wall on the ground floor have all now been taken down to leave an open-plan design, one-room lounge."
Source: "Manx Inns" by Suzanne Cubbon (ISBN:1-901508-01-03)