At the age of just 20, Connor Reilly has come a long way. After tragically losing both of his parents, he launched his own career and is now running The Barcade Bar and Grill on Polepark Road.
At the end of last year, he took a chance when he saw an advert offering someone with no previous experience the opportunity to run a pub.
He was handed the keys in December and has spent his time – and savings – kitting it out.
Now The Barcade Bar and Grill is open – and it’s game on.
Connor has sourced his gaming equipment on second hand sites, as well as local toys and games shops.
He estimated he’s spent around £15K getting the place up-and-running. He has PS5s, Wii, Xbox Ones (one is even hooked up to a driving simulator) and old school arcade machines such as Pac-Man and Space Invaders.
The majority of the equipment is housed in a games room that will be open until around 8pm each night. Games are free to play and deposits will be taken for the controllers.
‘No qualifications or experience’
“I am an events manager and do club nights every Tuesday and Thursday at Afrobeats night club in Session Street,” Connor explains.
“That was how I started as I’ve got no qualifications or bar experience.
“I applied on the basis that I can learn how to run a pub and I’ve also got at least 1,000 students that come to my events already and follow my social media pages.”
The Polepark Road bar traded as the Bay Horse for years before a brief stint as the Corner Bar.
Tragic loss
Growing up in Stobswell, Connor attended Morgan Academy. His mother, Angela Colligan, passed away when he was only 15. He describes her as a “top mum”.
The time that followed was difficult for Connor. Living with his father near Coupar Angus, it took him three hours to get to school.
He achieved his National 4 and 5 qualifications before leaving.
“I got into a bit of a rut at 16, drinking with my friends. I would also stay at different friends’ houses so I wouldn’t go home,” Connor says.
“My dad passed when I was 18. I was on the street for a while after that and was in the Lily Walker Centre at one point.
“I had to build all of this from nothing. It started with a big outdoor party I organised last year with a big speaker and a generator. I managed to get around 100 people.
“That was when I approached Afrobeats and asked if I could do one night a month.”
The bar is a ‘club pub’
Connor has a real passion for music events, which was cemented after attending Creamfields in 2019.
As his events gained in popularity, he was offered more opportunities.
He also credits his girlfriend Leaha Heary as a huge source of support saying: “Leaha runs her own business, the Sunflower Bakery. She really looks after me.”
By calling the bar The Barcade Bar and Grill, Connor is fusing a bar and an arcade, as well as adding in a “club pub” vibe with DJs on every Friday and Saturday.
Gaming tournaments are also planned.
Connor explains: “When I was a child we would go to Blackpool twice a year. I loved the arcades and there isn’t one in Dundee anymore.
“I’ve never been to a gaming bar but I follow them on social media. With the esports arena coming to Dundee and so many people studying and working in the gaming industry I thought why hasn’t anyone done this yet?”
The venue will be open from Tuesday to Thursday from 4pm to midnight, Friday from 4pm to 1am, Saturday 2pm to 1am, Sunday 2pm to midnight and closed on Mondays.
The kitchen is not yet open but customers can keep up-to-date with developments on social media.
Connor adds: “It’s hard not to correct someone if they come in and say ‘is it your parents who own it’?
“I don’t care if people think I’m a glass collector. I’m still waking up and pinching myself. I can’t believe I’ve got this pub.”
