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Detail Pages
Brennan's Bar, Belfast
Belfast
BT2 7BB
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Blue Scrumpy left this review about Brennan's Bar
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.
On 8th July 2024
- rating: 4
[User has posted 3040 recommendations about 3038 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Strongers . left this review about Brennan's Bar
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.
On 20th September 2022
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5970 recommendations about 5936 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
David Ross left this review about Brennan's
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.
On 2nd July 2012
- rating: 7
[User has posted 769 recommendations about 683 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about Brennan's
Sports orientated bar that still has The Beaten Docket written on the chairs and the windows. Standard range of Irish kegs on the bar plus one handpump that claimed it was selling Whitewater Belfast Ale, It wasn't it was selling brown sludge. To be fair the barman pulled the pint, had one look at it and said "Nope, I'm not serving you that". The bar is a fairly ornate affair with several large screens and an upstairs area that was closed on all 3 occasions that we visited last week. We watched the Man Utd vs Scalke 04 match here and ordered some pub grub. The fish, chips & mushy peas were good value with the fish looking like a dolphin in batter. The steak & Guinness hot pot was good as well. There's a real mix of people come in here and it can feel a bit rough and ready at times, but we liked it. Which is why we visited 3 times.
On 8th May 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3286 recommendations about 3196 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Sam Millar left this review about Brennans Bar
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.
On 20th April 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 24 recommendations about 21 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Delboy 20 left this review about Brennans Bar
The Beaten Docket has been renamed Brennans Bar. Well worth a visit.
On 21st September 2010
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 1821 recommendations about 1692 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Clive Thompson left this review about The Beaten Docket
Decent pub with nice decor and, I believe, an upstairs dining room. Lives in the shadow of the Crown and Robinsons next door but can be a haven of calm if you are after a quiet pint. No real ale.
On 30th August 2008
- rating: 5
[User has posted 780 recommendations about 697 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Mat Nichol left this review about The Beaten Docket
Was here earlier this year and it makes a nice alternative to the tourist packed Crown across the road. Good live music too.
On 16th November 2006
- rating: 8
[User has posted 115 recommendations about 115 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tony o'sullivan left this review about Brennans Bar
We visited here one evening last year.all was well here,and a real locals bar,even the one's that started fighting with each other.but being a good peace loving man i helped the poor bar man out.would go back again though as i've seen many pubs have their share of unwanted bother!!!!!!!!!!!
On 25th August 2006
- rating: 8
[User has posted 85 recommendations about 83 pubs]