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The Crown Bar

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Apgar1-10
Apgar1-10
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
2
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4
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Editor Pick

Crown Bar

  • November 12, 2006
  • Rated 4 of 5 by hagnel2 from Hamilton, Ontario
Crown Bar

This is undoubtedly Belfast’s most famous and unique pub where visitors mingle with the locals and medleys of accents abound. Situated on the Golden Mile and opposite the Europa Hotel this one-hundred-and-eighty-year-old former “Gin Palace” is indeed intoxicating. (Pun Intended) The building started out as the railway tavern, indeed its private booths have a railway carriage atmosphere. However, around. 1885 under new owners Italian craftsmen transformed the tavern into a glittering Victorian gem. Ornate tile work, carved wood and colorful glass prevail.

The national trust purchased the pub in 1978 and within three years restored it to its former glory. The exterior is covered in tiles and marble Corinthian pillars flank its main door but it is really the interior that wows.

Walking into the gas lit bar is akin to time travel but instead of the future you are in the past. Until your eyes adjust to the dim light you are aware of a blur of bordello colours amber, deep crimson, tassels, and deep reds of carved woods. Once your eyes have adjusted you will take in the detail on the exquisite windows, mirrors, and a stunningly scrolled molded ceiling awash in yellows, greens, and ambers. Stand at the bar and notice the s shaped marbled top beautifully divided by elaborately carved screens. Enjoy a Guinness while you examine the ornate wooden Snugs. We did all of the above and all I can say this is Victorian excess at its finest.

There are ten private snugs in the pub. We noticed reserved signs on each but I asked the waitress to call us if one became available. Because Sunday roast beef lunch is a sell out I didn’t think we had a chance, however, after about thirty minutes we were shown to a corner snug.

The flickering gas lit lamp hung above a well-aged table, a brass match striker and silent bell gleamed on the wall adding extra character to the warm little room. The colourful etched glass windows depicted scenes of bird’s flowers and animals. Unfortunately some idiots had carved their names into the lovely wood above the black leather seating. How can people desecrate so? Ugh.

I cannot tell you that our food was great. We opted for a Salad, Champ, Cheese bake on pasta. Despite having explained our diet preference we were served champ (mashed potato with onion) along with two fat sausages swimming in gravy. I asked the waitress if they were Vegetarian and she laughed and said “oh no they are best beef.” The cheese bake and pasta was inedible with pieces of broccoli in a milky sauce that contained minimal cheese. The pasta was thin and sticky. The good news is we enjoyed the unique booth experience, friendly wait staff, the Guinness and the Craic. Carnivores may have a different food experience judging by its popularity with the locals. Do pop in this bar it is a jewel.

From journal Booming Belfast

The Crown Bar

  • January 3, 2003
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Apgar1-10 from Mo Town, Michigan
I ate a GREAT pub lunch at the Crown Saloon in June 2000. I ordered steak and Guinness pie. Unfortunately, the bartender had a very thick Northern Ireland accent and I had no idea what he was asking me--when he took my order, I thought he was asking me if I wanted a fork, and after three or four attempts I just nodded my head, 'YES.'

Well, in 10 minutes, my lunch arrived with mashed potatoes instead of the chips (fries) on the menu. Apparently he was asking me if I wanted mashed instead of chips, and I thought he was asking me if I wanted a fork . . . good thing I prefer mashed potatoes!

While the lunch was great, what sold me is the history of the place: it's supposedly the most-bombed bar in all of Europe--over a dozen bombs have gone off there.

Also, there is a web cam at one end of the bar, so I ate my lunch in front of the World Wide Web. You can find the web cam easily at Camvista.com and various sites.

From journal Beflast eating drinking and Sleeping

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