The Spaniard, Belfast

The Spaniard is a small bar that was very busy when I visited on a recent midweek night. There’s a bar counter on the left wall that faces seating down the right and at the rear are a couple of tables in a snug behind open sliding doors. This area has music stuff up on the walls so maybe where the live music is set up, I imagine DJ rather than band due to the lack of space. Then again I suppose a couple of fiddlers could fit in there, be a bit cosy though. Nothing was going on during my visit so I was able to bag a seat at one of these tables. This was good news because whilst ordering at the bar a very drunk man gave me a hug and then tried to lick me! I thought this may be a local custom until he tried it on someone else and was told to behave in no uncertain terms. The staff were friendly and the atmosphere was good so I’d have no problem returning.

Official site of The Spaniard - www.thespaniardbar.com

Small bar stuffed full of bits and pieces, some with a Spanish theme (but mostly not). With most of the customers standing outside on the pavement, space was thankfully still available in the rear snug. No ale, real or otherwise, leaving a sparse 'choice' of just Carlsberg, Guinness and Franziskaner Weissbier (£4.50). Worth a visit to have a look, but not really a place to linger.

Official site of The Spaniard - www.thespaniardbar.com

Small friendly bar which is typically Irish in it‘s culture, if that doesn't contradict the Spanish theme. Impressive range of spirits and the tapas looked popular. I suspect the Spaniard in question is Salvador Dali as I‘m sure it is he on the pub sign.