Former Kildare nightclub/bar to transform into guesthouse, restaurant and bar

Planning has been approved for the proposed change of use of a pub and welfare office in Kildare to a guesthouse/restaurant/bar.

According to Construction Information Services (CIS), Kildare County Council granted planning permission for the €620k development on August 24 2026 with respect to an address at The Keg, Main Street, Newbridge W12 P682, Co Kildare.

A planning application was submitted to the local authority on February 18 2026.

The former high-profile bar and nightclub is undergoing a major transformation in an effort to boost local nightlife and social infrastructure in Newbridge.

The proposed scheme consists of the following:

• the change of use of a rear ground floor welfare office to guesthouse use;
• change of use of the existing public house at part ground floor and first floor to guesthouse use providing 25 guest bedrooms, reception area, coffee dock, linen store, storage and male and female sanitary facilities;
• change of use of existing vacant basement level to restaurant/bar including ancillary staff accommodation;
• provision of a traditional timber shopfront with associated external signage at ground floor level to Main Street.

Also forming part of the plans are:

• a proposed first floor extension to the rear of the existing building footprint;
• a new extension incorporating part green roof and part flat roof inclusive of photovoltaic panels;
• provision of an internal passenger lift serving basement, ground and first floor levels including new accommodation stair;
• upgrading of existing external doors and windows at ground and first floor level; alterations to existing external ramped and stepped approach;
• and alterations to existing foul and surface water drainage together with all associated site works.

The architect for the proposed development is Corgan Architects.