PORT OF CALL Pub of Dover

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Dover, September, 2021.

Page Updated:- Wednesday, 29 September, 2021.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 16/July/2014 (Name from)

Port of Call

Closed 2016

(Name to)

18-19 Market Square

Dover

https://whatpub.com/burger-bros-bar-grill

Above photo by Paul Skelton, July 2014.

From Facebook, 12 June 2014.

So, You may have all heard the gossip out there.... Yes we ("Rack of Ale") are intending to open up the old "Elle" in Dover's Market Place...

It wont affect the "Rack" - we are passionate about that!!!

The name will be "Port of Call Dover" - not the current "Vine and Hop" or visa versa...

It won't be a pub - but will follow a micropub theme with food and appropriate - live acoustic music...

Ask at the Rack for details - hope you all like what we do and look to you all to continue with your fantastic support... Frankly the decision wouldn't have been made without that support and encouragement.

We will fill it with Dover's history so please start bringing into the Rack anything weird / odd or just interesting to display. Just like the Rack - we will make the Port of Call yours as well and the Rack just continues to grow from strength to strength.

Trish xxx

The premises being larger than a traditional Micro Pub is actually being run like one.

I have been informed that at the beginning of November 2014, the running of the premises was handed over to the licensee of the "Park Inn".

Latest news is that they have closed the place as of February 2015, no idea why yet, but I believe it is going through another change of hands.

After a couple of weeks closed, I am pleased to say they have opened their doors for service again, with the pub being more like a bistro-style now.

Come July 2015 the premises was owned by Cappagh Capital.

From the Dover Mercury, 23 July, 2015.

Town centre pub plans expansion.

A pub in Dover’s Market Square plans to expand its restaurant and bed and breakfast facilities.

The "Port of Call" is looking to enlarge the seating area in its restaurant into rooms which were previously used for storage.

It will also expand the kitchen, refurbish the toilets and create a large window and seating area out onto Gaol Lane.

It also plans to provide bed and breakfast accommodation on the first floor. These rooms formerly used for functions will be transformed into three bedrooms with en suite bathrooms. Two of the bedrooms will have balconies and one will have an outdoor sitting area.

Hartwell Architects which has submitted the designs said: “The existing restaurant and bar has been very successful and the owner wants to increase seating capacity, utilise the upper level so that it can offer bed and breakfast accommodation. The owner is keen to invest in the business to help revive and promote the town centre.”

Over the last 300 years this has been the site of a public house from The "Butchers Arms" in 1690 to the "Elephant and Hind" in the 60s. In 2002 it was known as The "Ellie Bar" and now is The "Port of Call."

A planning application has now bee submitted to Dover District Council and more information can be found at the website www.dover.gov.uk/planning

From the East Kent Mercury, 23 July 2015.

Pub set to offer a B&B service.

A town-centre pub that has changed its name more than any other is set to expand and take in bed and breakfast guests.

London-based company Cappagh Capital wants to expand the "Port of Call" premises in Market Square, situated a few yards from Dover Museum. The ancient Gaol Lane separates the two properties.

The plan is to enlarge the restaurant on the ground floor and to make changes to the function room on the floor above.

Planning consent is also sought for an extension to create six guest bed and breakfast bedrooms.

There has been a pub on the site for at least 300 years. In 1690 the establishment was known as the "Butchers' Arms."

For years the "Duchess of Kent" and "Walmer Castle" occupied the site. They were merged to create the "Elephant and Hind," later to become "Bar Ellie," then the "Vine and Hop" - and now the "Port of Call."

From the Dover Mercury, 4 February 2016.

Burgers Dover deserves.

Classic American food that “Dover deserves” will be on the menu as the Burger Bros opens up in Market Square.

Karl Wozny and manager Richelle Down.

The popular burger joint run by Karl Wozny is teaming up with the Port of Call in Market Square to offer residents a taste of America.

Mr Wozny, who also runs Burger Bros at the Clarendon Hotel in Deal and Alberrys in Canterbury, said: “A lot of people from Dover come to the restaurants and I think Dover doesn’t have much in the way of casual dining. There’s nothing like Burger Bros there.

“I think Dover deserves it actually. It gets a bad rep sometimes but there’s a lot of regeneration going into Dover. It’s going to be a good year for Dover.”

Being based in Market Square will be an ideal location for al fresco dining on the terrace and barbecues in the summer.

Mr Wozny said landlord of the Port of Call, Jean Pierre, had been to Burger Bros previously and said it would be a welcome addition to the pub.

The launch will be held on Wednesday, February 17, at 6pm.

From now until the summer, it will be open Wednesday to Friday from noon until 3pm and then 6pm until 10pm, and on Saturday from noon until 10pm. Burger Bros will be closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesdays.

■ For more information visit the website at www.theburgerbros.co.uk

From the Dover Express, 25 February, 2016. Report by Joe Kasper.

Trendy burger restaurant opens in pub.

‘People will love this greasy food’

“GREAT, greasy food” is set to be gobbled up by hungry Dovorians in a town centre pub.

Burger Bros opened in Dover last week - adding to its restaurants in Canterbury and Deal.

Behind the success story is Karl Wozny, who was approached by the owner of the "Port of Call" to bring the mouth-watering meals to the Market Square pub.

St Edmund’s Catholic school student Lucy Murrow, 15, who started working at Burger Bros when it opened, said: “I think it’s really good - we tried it and the burgers are nice.

“I think it’ll attract a lot of younger people, as well as old people.

People my age love great, greasy food like this.”

Fellow waitress Hannah Fey, 16, who is also at St Edmund’s, said: “It’s great for Dover - it will attract more people here. I’ve tried them and it’s very good food and value for money.”

Delicious.

The Express tried the Brother Mac and the Daddy burgers and both were delicious and filling.

Customers will really need to get a grip on these tasty treats as they do tend to get messy - but it is all part of the fun.

The "Port of Call" has opened a room at the back to facilitate the move and has plans to open the upstairs with a balcony to accommodate 100 more people.

SERVICE WITH A SMILE: Hannah Fey, 16, with Lucy Murrow, 15.

Burger Bros will offer a delivery service.

A recent Express poll showed 76 per cent of Dovorians who voted will be visiting the new eatery.

For more information on the Dover branch, visit www.theburgerbros.co.uk

From the Dover Express, 2 March 2017. By Lauren MacDougall.

Good news for food fans disappointed after pop-up restaurant shut in October.

Popular burger bar returns to town in a pub venue.

TEAM: Karl Wozny, centre, has led successful food venues in other Kent towns.

POPULAR local burger chain The Burger Bros is coming back to Dover this spring but this time they are opening their very own restaurant and bar.

The Burger Bros Bar & Grill in Dover is due to open its doors in April this year, in the old "Port of Call" pub in the Market Square, creating around eight jobs in the process.

In the summer of last year, owner Karl Wozny, was invited to do a season at the pub and they stayed on until October, following the then landlord surrendering his lease.

But now, Karl has agreed to take over the building until it is scheduled for refurbishment in January 2018, with potential to stay there thereafter.

Karl Wozny already operates Burger Bros in Deal and Canterbury.

Restaurant.

The plans are for the new venue to offer everything that is currently available at the Deal restaurant - and more. The American-style eatery will include a host of new and favourite burgers, steaks, hot dogs and deli sandwiches, as well as offering a Sunday roast with an “American twist”.

It will also offer a range of craft beers and boast a stylish cocktail bar - hosting eclectic and classic mixtures.

And while you eat there will be an array on entertainment on offer, from comedy nights to live music performances and DJ sets.

Karl said: “We always wanted to be in Dover and many people were disappointed with our departure in October but it was always on the cards that we’d return. But this time we are providing the whole food and drink offering.

“There’s lots of work to do and we will aim to offer a bit more than what our Deal restaurant currently offers.

“For those that know, our cocktails have a huge following in Deal, and we like to put original twists on the classics as well as creating unique serves.

“Craft beer is not big in Dover so we aim to fill that gap in the market place. We already have a host of amazing suppliers, including Time & Tide Brewing in Deal.”

He added: “There is a good craft beer culture in Dover, places like "Breakwater Brewery" are going from strength to strength.

“Really there’s a lot of good stuff going on in the town and, we want to tap into that - if you’ll forgive the pun! I really like and see potential in Dover. I have a soft spot for the town and I knew in my heart of hearts we’d be be back there one day.”

The Burger Bros will create eight new jobs for the local area. The new venue is currently looking for a restaurant manager, head chef, bar staff, sous chefs and waiters. Anyone interested should forward their CV to info@theburgerbros.co.uk

Don't think they ever changed the name of this place to the "Burger Bros Bar and Grill" as some suggest but they didn't last long here, and tried to trade their wares at the "Clarendon Hotel" in Deal, but even pulled out of that one at the end of 2018. However, the Burger Bros say they are going to open again at yet another venue in Deal. Not sure whether they are going back to the "Deal Hoy" again, but this lot seem to want to keep or have to keep moving.

Above photo by Phil Medgett.

LICENSEE LIST

JENKINS Steve & GUILLIFORD Patricia 16/July/2014-Nov/14

If anyone should have any further information, or indeed any pictures or photographs of the above licensed premises, please email:-

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