Brennan's Bar, Belfast

Brennan's is situated on a street corner with the Crown Liquor Saloon just across the side road and the Europa Hotel on the other side of the main road. Compared with the Crown, it's a much more basic pub. I wasn't sure of the opening times, but found it still closed shortly before midday on a Friday morning. A guy came to open up the doors, but seemed to have a change of heart, telling myself and another couple that they would be open in 5 minutes, before promptly locking the doors again. Waiting outside gave me time to study the bar menu. I'd decided what I'd like to have for lunch, but when the doors finally re-opened, they said that they would still need another 20 minutes to set the kitchen up. By then, I guessed I'd have already finished my drink. So, I gave the food a miss. This bar is quite dark inside, but still fairly traditional. It's the sort of bar that foreign tourists seem to like. However, with the Crown directly opposite, I know where I'd head to. TVs were showing some kind of sport, whilst there is also an upstairs level accessed from a staircase at the end of the bar. Another staircase at the entrance door was roped off, as in the previous review a couple of years ago. I'm not sure if that is ever opened. Another Belfast pub ticked off, but really nothing to shout about. Beers on were Whitewater Maggie's Leap, Guinness & Smithwick Red Ale. The cider was Aspall's and there were also multiple lagers.

Brennan’s Bar has an entrance foyer with steps up to the left that were roped off and the bar to the right. The bar has a black and white checked tiled floor with banquettes under the front windows and up the left wall. In the front right is a snug and the bar runs up the right wall. Standard keg is available. Up above the back bar is a nice curved stain glass feature that was probably part of the original bar before its heart was ripped out. Televisions throughout were showing Champions League football via BT Sport and there was also some background music playing, pick one FFS! The service was polite, but I can’t see myself returning here.

From outside, this looked quite promising, but inside it was rather over modernised for my tastes with loud music competing with televised football and noisy customers. There was plenty of space, despite the upstairs area still being closed.

Had not been in this bar since it was called "The Beaten Docket". Called in on St. Patrick's Day. Good atmosphere. Had one real ale on - "Belfast Ale". Well kept. Worth a visit.

The Beaten Docket has been renamed Brennans Bar. Well worth a visit.