The American Diner & Grill Bar is an institution that has managed to stay alive through changes in building styles and trends not to mention the general public's tastes, whims and attitudes towards eating out. From its high in the 1940's and 50's the essence of the Diner/grill bar was good food cooked 'homestyle' . Because of this, nostalgia became the central theme with restaurants springing up, heavily themed with memorabilia and this genre crossed the atlantic where 'Americana' was always popular with Europeans.

As a result, many restaurants became so heavily influenced by this that they appeared cluttered, dusty and cliched. With this in mind Richmond and MCCO Restaurants decided to go back to the roots of the so called 'American Bar & Grill' and design a concept that was reliant not on memorabilia, but focused on good service and freshly prepared food set in the eclectic time trip of an authentic diner.

The location at Lisburn omniplex was already well serviced by food retailers but it was felt that the market needed this type of restaurant providing food freshly prepared, well presented in an authentic environment all served up with a big cup of thankyou!

The concept called fro traditional 'Diner' boothes with ribbed glass as the main seating supported by leather loose seating in kitsch pastels of cream and peppermint. A family/party boothe was established allowing for parties of up to ten to sit in dedicated space making the occasion more special.


The over-looking mezzanine level provides for additional seating and coupled with exposed ducting evokes an open feel with coils reminiscent of the wharehouse feel of some diners in the 1950's. Contrasting colours in the contract vinyl flooring again echo back to the Malt Shop/Liquor Store feel with terracotta 'tram lines' linking the various walkways married with cream and feature peppermint again. The whole solution is 'held together' by chrome 'strapping' - these straps envelope the restaurant linking ground floor with mezzanine, bar with seating. Chrome, the common denominator for what is 'the Diner!'

Richmond and MCCO Restaurants were able to complete the fit-out in an extremely short period of time and on budget including liaison with statutory bodies and licensing. Richmond's ability to provide a turn-key service yet again afforded MCCO Restaurants the possibility to address the important July trade and establish Ed's Bar & grill as not just somewhere to grab a burger after a trip to the Omniplex but as a dedicated destination creating a strong brand in an already established market.

So pick your favourite stool or table, drop a quarter in the slot, punch up your favourite song, and enjoy this entertaining slice of Ed's authentic Bar & Grill