Our History
Today Henderson & Glass is home to delectable cocktails and delicious food in the heart of Douglas, but our venue has a long and proud history in the Isle of Man.
11 Castle Street is one of the oldest buildings in the main shopping street of the Manx capital. Manx National Heritage’s iMuseum holds a photo of our image date back to the late 19th century.
Over the years it has been a shoe shop, a branch of T.H. Colebourn electrical stores, and a sports outfitters known as Carter and Young. It is also believed to have housed a stable, a church, and even a viewing platform for the rock factory next door!
This rich history is celebrated at Henderson & Glass, with the generations of use adding to the exceptional atmosphere.
In May 2021, 11 Castle Street, Douglas, entered a new chapter in its storied history as it became the home of Henderson & Glass, which quickly established a reputation as a go-to destination for amazing cocktails and a fantastic atmosphere.
In fact, it is not only the building that is packed with history – the very name reaches back through time. During refurbishment, a steel support beam was uncovered which bore the name of a Liverpool steel and glass merchant from the 1800s – Henderson & Glass. In a nod to the building’s history, that became our name.
In September 2024, Henderson & Glass became part of Whimsical Bars, an Isle of Man hospitality company. The new owner brought a fresh emphasis on cocktails and food, but it was felt essential to continue to recognise and respect the building’s history – so it remains Henderson & Glass today.
When you come inside, you can soak up the unique atmosphere surrounded by the stripped back walls of a building which has been part Douglas life for generations – and can still see the Henderson & Glass steel beam above the door that gave our venue its name.
