The Bridge House (JD Wetherspoon), Belfast

Quite an inconspicuous building from a distance, but the understated façade does have a few features of interest if you take a closer look. Inside, the main bar is rather dark and characterless, but the smaller upstairs bar is rather lighter and generally more appealing. Also has a small front patio area on the pavement. Six of the eight handpumps were on when I last visited; mostly usual suspects, but a couple of local Hilden beers were available at £2.29. Although not the most interesting bar in Belfast, it is certainly worth a visit if in the area.

The Bridge House page at the Wetherspoon site - www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk

One of the best JDWs I have ever been in for service & atmosphere. We were staying at the Holiday Inn across the road and so had breakfast here each day rather than pay the £13.95 that they wanted. The Ulster fry was very good. Unlike almost every other JDW I been in there were no old soaks drinking beer at 9:30 a.m. and that was for 4 days running. The pub itself is a standard JDW box conversion but the cask beer range was excellent, certainly the best in Belfast. 7 handpumps for cask ale plus one for a real cider. All the beers I had in here were well kept and I had quite a few over the 4 nights we were in Belfast. Plenty of staff on at both breakfast and at nights and they all seemed to know what they were doing!! Top marks to the manager of this pub. I guess that explains why it was Belfast CAMRA pub of the year 2010. In most UK cities I would have given this pub an 8 but as it's an oasis of real ale in Belfast and a lifesaver for me I'll give it a 9.

The Bridge House follows the usual JDW business model, large sprawling premises, loads of seating, toilets (and a secondary bar) upstairs, and cheap prices. One of the few places in Belfast selling real ale although I got the impression they don’t really promote it or sell much which can lead to quality problems. I had a cloudy but OK pint of Tawny Owl, admittedly this wasn’t the only cloudy but OK pint I had in Belfast, I wonder if it’s something to do with transit. Handily the pub opens at 9am for breakfast and serves a good Ulster Fry, or you can upgrade to the Farmhouse Breakfast if you‘re not on very good terms with your arteries.

A big Wetherspoons with big clear windows and remarkably good service, speedy, polite and I didn't see uncleared tables, the beer was in good nick as well. It does well what JDWs are supposed to do but fail more often than not. Décor and atmosphere wise it could be a JDW any where, there is an upstairs section and it is in what appears to be two older buildings knocked together, one bit looking much older than the other. The newer bit has some confusing door/windows, they certainly foxed a number of customers who didn't read the sign. Beer wise the usual keg suspects on a number of T bars, the small set of handpulls lurks hidden behind a pillar unseen when you enter from any direction. Not many interesting ales on the night I was in - Greene King and Marstons plus a very acceptable Woodforde's Nog. Good mix of punters with the under 30s predominating.

This a great place for a drink,realy good food as well.Plenty of room if youre out with a big party of family and friends..Had many a night here..