• “CRAFT,” a new food and beverage experience at Cork Airport will open to the public in March. 
• Passengers can look forward to a new and improved layout, tasteful interior décor and up to 25% more seating as part of extensive refurbishment works. 
• Newly curated menu to showcase Cork’s unique culinary identity with a strong focus on sustainably sourced and locally produced ingredients.
• Along with bar and restaurant upgrades, a new cocktail bar will open on January 31 next, serving iconic and popular cocktails, along with other beverages. 

Cork Airport — January 17, 2025 — Cork Airport has today unveiled plans for a major refurbishment of the main airside bar and restaurant, with works due to commence on Monday next (January 20). Celebrating Cork’s unique food culture and renowned cuisine, the new bar and restaurant “CRAFT” will reopen to the public in mid-March with a new and improved food and beverage offering, a fresh look and feel; more seating and an extensive menu showcasing locally produced ingredients. During the refurbishment works, the existing Craft Lane bar and restaurant will be closed. Along with the refurbishment of the bar and restaurant, a new cocktail bar will also be constructed on the site of the existing Craft Lane kiosk, located adjacent to Gate 7.

Under the management of KSG, the specialist restaurant and food services company, the new CRAFT bar and restaurant will feature a completely new bar counter and seating area and a dedicated restaurant area with more seating to cater for 150 customers at any given time. Almost 25% additional seating will be installed across the new bar and restaurant areas. A newly curated food menu, inspired by Cork’s reputation as Ireland’s gourmet capital, will prioritise the use of fresh and local artisan ingredients in preparing tantalising dishes for passengers to enjoy.

Over the course of the next two months, extensive refurbishment works will take place, including the installation of new flooring, lighting, furniture, and a modern interior décor. Passengers can look forward to a warm and convivial atmosphere at the new CRAFT bar and restaurant, with a personalised service from staff. Modern and innovative customer service improvements will enhance the overall passenger experience by reducing wait times, improving customer flow, and increasing throughput by ensuring efficient table turnover times.

While the existing bar and restaurant area is refurbished over the next two months, additional works will be undertaken nearby with the construction of a new cocktail bar. The cocktail bar will open for passengers on Friday, January 31 and will serve popular beverages like espresso martini, pina colada, mojito, mimosa and strawberry daiquiri.

Speaking ahead of the exciting refurbishment and upgrade works at Cork Airport, Michael Gleeson, KSG CEO said: “KSG is proud to introduce CRAFT, the new bar and restaurant experience, which will greatly enhance the food and beverage offering here at Cork Airport. Following the opening of the new Roasted Notes café and wine bar last year, KSG is again committed to working with the team at Cork Airport to deliver yet another high-quality experience for passengers. CRAFT will be an opportunity for passengers to enjoy a fantastic Cork focused menu, showcasing delicious food prepared with locally sourced ingredients, along with some new beverages and cocktails.”

Roy O'Driscoll, Cork Airport's Deputy Managing Director added: “Over the past number of months, we have worked closely with KSG to develop plans for the new CRAFT bar and restaurant, and cocktail bar. With a distinctive focus on Cork’s unique culinary identity and with the future growth of Cork Airport’s passenger traffic firmly in mind, I am thrilled to see the refurbishment works commence next week. I have every confidence that our passengers will love the new CRAFT bar and restaurant when it reopens to the public in mid-March.”

Throughout the course of the refurbishment and upgrade works, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be readily available at Roasted Notes Café and Wine Bar and in the Food Republic food court while the new cocktail bar will open for business on January 31.