We present a luminescent Ir(III) complex featuring a bidentate halogen bond do nor site capable of strong anion binding. The tailor-made Ir(III)(L)2 moiety offers a significantly higher emission quantum yield (8.4%) compared to previous Ir(III)-based chemo-sensors (2.5%). The successful binding of chloride, bromide and acetate is demonstrated using emission titrations. These experiments reveal association constants of upto 1.6×105M.