96-98 High Street is a three storey building that was built in 1935 as a furniture shop, Alex Sloan and Co. Ltd. The furniture shop closed in the early 1960s and was later occupied by the Ulster Sports Club in 1968. The Ulster Sports Club was founded in 1927 and was initially on Ann Street. The social club was originally men only, however women were allowed into the club in 1968. The Ulster Sports Club closed on 31st December 2018 due to failling membership numbers resulting in the social club becoming no longer financially viable.

The Ulster Sports Club was subsequently bought by Beannchor Group, the owner of the Merchant Hotel.

In January 2019, Merchant Hotel Limited submitted a planning application (LA04/2019/0199/F) proposing an extension to the Merchant Hotel into 96-98 High Street (Ulster Sports Club) and change of use from registered social club to hotel. This application was approved in April 2019.

In May 2019, Merchant Hotel Ltd submitted a planning application (LA04/2019/1275/F) proposing change of use from existing external service yard to an external terrace for use by patrons of the premises. This application was approved in August 2019.

In June 2020, Merchant Hotel Limited, submitted a planning application (LA04/2020/1090/F) proposing change of use from hotel bar and lounge to public bar and lounge involving internal alteration to a wall. This application was approved in September 2020.

In May 2021, Ulster Sports Club submitted a planning application (LA04/2021/1193/F) proposing change of use of part of second floor of existing public house to micro-brewery to be operated in conjunction with existing public house. This application was approved in November 2021.

In December 2021, Cathedral Quarter Limited submitted a planning application (LA04/2021/2895/F) proposing the conversion of storage area to extend existing public house. This application was approved in June 2022.

In July 2022, Out of Office Brewing opened on the top floor of the Ulster Sports Club.