If you were to pull up a chair and order a pint of Guinness at any other National Trust property in the UK, it’s likely you’d be (exceedingly politely) asked to leave. Naturally, here in Northern Ireland, the charity owns a pub in the centre of Belfast and having a pint of Guinness in any Irish pub is practically the law.
The Crown Bar is, as far as I can tell, the only pub owned by the National Trust, and is currently let to a brewery which runs it as a fully functional venue serving drinks and meals, so it was a unique treat arriving for our dinner reservation.
The Crown Bar has a fabulous history – built in 1826, its first incarnation was as the Railway Tavern and was unsurprisingly opposite the railway station.
However, in the 1880s as the ‘gin palace’ was experiencing its astronomical boom in popularity, Michael Flanagan took over the venue and transformed it into the opulent Crown Bar we see today.
The new and improved Crown Bar was unveiled to the public in 1885 and included stained glass windows and the ornate wooden snugs which are still there today, and the front of the building was tiled in 1898.
Sadly during the Second World War the hotel across the road – The Europa – was the most bombed hotel in Europe and so the front of the Crown Bar was pitted and damaged by more than 40 bomb blasts. However, the National Trust took over in 1978 and carried out an extensive restoration project which is ongoing today.
From the moment you step through the doors of the Crown Bar, you’re transported back to the splendour and grandeur of the Victorian era. The interior is so ornate it took several hours to take it all in.
We were lucky enough to have Snug F – the only snug of the 10 to still have a working bell (thank you to the very wonderful Andy at the Crown). These were used to discreetly summon bar staff as pressing the bell on the wall causes a quiet ring, but also makes a hand paddle on the wall wave back and forth under the corresponding letter.
The snugs are carved wooden booths with tall doors inset with a stained glass letter, comfortable bench seating, and several etched gun-metal plates for striking matches within arm’s length of each patron. Apparently the red granite bar is in the alter style, and there’s a heated footrest for those propping the bar up.
The UK is known across the globe for its quaint historical pubs, but the Crown Bar really is the jewel. And the food was pretty good too.
Verdict: A good excuse for a ‘cultural visit’ to the most ornate pub you’ll ever see.
A Year of Trust 