Crown Liquor Saloon, Belfast

Perhaps the most iconic of all Belfast pubs, it’s in a prominent, street corner position on a busy thoroughfare and looks immediately appealing with it’s ornate exterior tiling, imposing pillars and stained glass. It certainly doesn’t disappoint on the inside either, and although it’s perhaps a little smaller than it initially appears (due to the mirrored back wall), what there is, is really quite splendid. Victorian style tiling is on the floor, with an embossed dark brown ceiling. The ornate stained glass windows on two sides are a very impressive feature and must count as some of the most intricate that I have seen. Seating along the right hand side was divided in to individual booths with a low level, carved wooden door providing access. A brass bell push in each booth presumably provided table service at one time, although I suspect that now they are merely decorative. A similar booth arrangement was at the front on the left, but the majority of this side of the pub was taken up with the bar counter. Carved animals adorned the woodwork and there was also some ornate tiling on the wall at the front. Not only was this by the far the most impressive interior of all the Belfast pubs we visited, but in also had quite an impressive beer selection in an area that largely seems to be a real ale dessert. On this occasion the line up consisted of Doom Bar, Whitewater Belfast Ale, Stewart’s 80/-, Mourne Gold, Nicholson’s Pale Ale and St Austell’s Proper Job. Cider choice was disappointing though with only Magner’s being available, but overall a fantastic pub and certainly a must visit for any visitor to Belfast.