The Crown Liquor Saloon
46 Great Victoria Street Belfast BT2 7BA
This wonderfully preserved Victorian building attracts visitors in their droves. It was once a splendid gin palace, and still houses an impressive array of original features, from the exterior tiles to the ornate ceiling and mosaic tiled flooring. Nestled along one wall of the bar are ten wonderful wooden boxes offering drinkers a cosy snug, complete with an antique bell system. It's claimed that many a clandestine meeting and conspiratorial conversation has been had behind those snug doors over the decades, indeed so steeped in history is the building is that it was purchased by the National Trust in 1978 in order to keep one of Belfast's landmark buildings intact. Behind the long bar you'll find an ever-changing vast collection of cask ales (usually 25 at any one time). The food on offer surpasses the expectations of most when it comes to 'pub grub', with traditional favourites such as pies and burgers served with a gourmet twist – the Iberian Black Pig and Apple hand-pressed burger comes highly recommended, as does the Venison and Sloe Gin Pie! Whatever your reason for visiting Belfast, your stay wouldn't be complete without a visit to the Crown and a creamy glass of Guinness...
