Another chapter in the social story of Belfast’s historic Sailortown comes to a close this evening as a venue once at the centre of life in the area is pulling down its shutters for the final time.
The Docker’s Club, which for decades was a social hub for Stevadores unloading ships at Belfast Harbour, and which also became an iconic name in local boxing, is permanently closing on Monday night.
As a result of the demise of the social club, the future of the Dockers Boxing Club, which was based at the same premises in Pilot Street, is now uncertain.
Declining membership of the social club, the disappearance of other venues in the docklands – which pushed punters away from the area to socialise – and the ever-increasing threat of rates increases are behind the closure, which is being described as the “end of an era”.
The Dockers Social Club in Belfast was founded originally for dockworkers in the 1970s PICTURE: DOCKERS SOCIAL CLUB (Mal McCann)
Founded in 1977 after treasurer Brian McCann purchased what was then the Inside Inn, the Docker’s Club as it became known was initially a place for dockworkers and their families to socialise and enjoy a drink.
The following year the club relocated across Pilot Street to a newly built venue, and became a fixture of life in the area, both for members, associate members, regular punters and eventually, those involved in the boxing club.
The Dockers Club has been an important hub for both social members and for boxing in Belfast PICTURE: MAL MCCANN
The social club was founded with a strong cross-community ethos that lasted throughout its almost 50 years, while its members and regulars helped raise millions for charity through countless events in that time.
The social club also hosted many boxing bouts, involving fighters from the adjacent club and further afield.
End of an era as The Dockers Club closes its doors, Tommy Graham and Paul Downey look through old photographs. PICTURE: MAL MCCANN
Speaking to the Irish News, club secretary Terry Ward said the closure of the venue was a “sad day” for the city.
“Years ago, the docks was a popular place to go; there was life around here and the Docker’s Club benefitted from having other venues close by, such as the Rotterdam and Pat’s Bar. But with all the closures, no-one’s coming down here anymore,” he said.
The Dockers Club in Pilot Street, which is closing this week for the final time PICTURE: MAL MCCANN
“All the younger ones are to be found in the likes of the Cathedral Quarter, and as our membership fell as time passed, it just wasn’t feasible to keep it open, especially with rates increases also.”
Mr Ward said that had the club remained open, it would have faced a crippling rates bill increase to almost £50,000.
“We were relying on events such as christenings and funeral gatherings, but it simply wasn’t enough.
“It’s truly the end of an era, and there were even tears on Sunday among members evening as the realisation sank in.”
He added: “It’s a sad day, but hopefully the memories of the club and its legacy will be kept alive for some time yet.”
Meanwhile, questions now remain over the future of the Dockers Boxing Club.
![Ring side....A coach keeps a close eye on the contest between Kevin McIntyre[St Josephs Derry] and Michael McLaughlin[Holy Trinity] in the LT\Welterweight Division in the La Cuisine Ulster Intermediate Boxing Championships at the Dockers club Belfast.pic brendan murphy\irish news\2\11\2005](https://www.europesays.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/BD7G53RKWFHCTMLGFN6GXNRJZY.jpeg)
A fight at the Dockers Club in Belfast in 2005
It was founded in 1991 at an adjacent building in the club by local legend of the sport Paddy Fitzsimmons, who fought in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
It is understood efforts are being made for the club to relocate, but no firm plans for this were in place on Monday following the news the Pilot Street premises was closing.