United Kingdom
Damn the naysayers, The Crown is a classic. Wood and brass everywhere, huge snugs less conducive to intimacy than getting to know some gregarious locals, the sound of conversation and smoke in the air – everything a pub should be (even though the smoke will soon be a thing of the past). As for the toilets, well, you’ll hardly be lingering when there’s so much going on outside. Some reputations are well earned.
Address: 46 Great Victoria Street.
Telephone: (44-28) 90279901
Website: www.crownbar.com
Email: info@crownbar.com
This area of Belfast, around the district of St Anne's cathedral, features the best of bars that Belfast has to offer. The Spaniard is a small and friendly new bar which plays great music. The John Hewitt usually has live music and is run by the Unemployed Resource centre. The Duke of York is also a veritable Belfast institution. Just stay clear of the Northern Whig on a Friday or Saturday night, last time I was there it was full of drunken stags and hens!
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