The Crown Liquor Saloon, known to locals as the Crown Bar, is a Victorian gin palace on Great Victoria Street and one of the finest pub interiors in the world. The site dates back to 1826, and the National Trust, which owns the building, says specialist conservators restored the interior and that it is now a listed building. Step through the door and you walk over a mosaic-tiled floor into a room of astonishing richness: a carved ceiling in primrose yellow, red and gold, stained-glass windows decorated with fairies, pineapples, fleurs-de-lis and clowns, and a long altar-style bar topped in red granite, divided by columns and fitted with a heated footrest. Behind it stand huge casks with polished brass taps, and the lighting is still by gas. The best feature is the row of ten differently sized wooden snugs, each with its own door and an antique bell for calling the staff, and gunmetal plates set into the woodwork for striking matches. The windows were designed to shield customers from passers-by, which tells you what kind of place it once was. Today it is a busy, working pub, so you are welcome to have a drink, a meal or just a good look, and there is no admission charge. It sits directly opposite the Europa Hotel and the Grand Opera House, close to the heart of the city centre, which makes it an easy and rewarding stop at almost any time of day.
How to visit
The Crown is on Great Victoria Street, a few minutes’ walk from City Hall, the Grand Opera House and the Europa Hotel. Opening hours are those of a pub, so check before you go, and note that the National Trust page for the building does not list times. There is no ticket, you simply walk in. It is busiest on weekend evenings and during the Christmas market, so for a quiet look at the interior, go in the early afternoon on a weekday.
What to expect
Seating is limited and the snugs are popular, so do not assume you will get one, especially at weekends. If you do, pull the door shut, ring the bell and enjoy the Victorian privacy they were designed to give. The National Trust suggests taking a photograph of the façade before going in, and looking down at the mosaic tiling at the entrance. Food is served, but the real draw is the room itself, so a quick drink and a slow look is a perfectly good visit.
Making the most of it
Pair the Crown with a visit to the Grand Opera House across the road and a walk through the Linen Quarter, and come back for an evening pint when the gas lights glow. It is also a pleasant counterpoint to the more serious parts of a Belfast visit, such as the murals tour or Crumlin Road Gaol. Keep an eye on your belongings in the crowd, as in any busy city pub.
Planning around it
The Crown is at its best when you can see the detail, so aim for the quieter hours and take your time over the carved ceiling, the stained glass and the mosaic. If you want a snug, arrive early and be patient, because they are popular and shared by groups.
Food is available, but many visitors treat it as a drink and a look before moving on, and the nearby Opera House, Linen Quarter and Cathedral Quarter give plenty of other places for dinner. Respect the other customers, since it remains a working bar.
What to expect
The experience
A walk-in visit to a working Victorian pub with ten wooden snugs, gas lighting, stained glass and a mosaic floor.
Best time
Early afternoon on a weekday for a quiet look, or an evening when the gas lights glow.
How long
Half an hour to an hour with a drink.
Tips
Photograph the façade first, look down at the mosaic floor, and do not count on a snug at weekends.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Anyone who loves historic interiors, plus a pint in the city’s most beautiful bar.
- Families
- Fine for a daytime meal, though it is a pub and gets crowded in the evenings.
- Couples
- A snug, a drink and a glow of gaslight make a memorable Belfast moment.
- Pair with
- The Grand Opera House across the road and City Hall a few minutes away.
- Time needed
- Thirty to sixty minutes.
Good questions
Is the Crown Liquor Saloon free to enter?+
Yes, there is no admission charge. It is a working pub, so you are welcome to have a drink or just look around.
Who owns the Crown Bar?+
The National Trust owns the building, and specialist conservators restored its interior.
What are the snugs at the Crown Bar?+
They are ten differently sized wooden compartments that gave Victorian drinkers privacy, each with an antique bell for calling staff.
When was the Crown Bar built?+
The site dates back to 1826, and the interior is a Victorian gin palace in the grand style.
Where is the Crown Liquor Saloon?+
It is on Great Victoria Street, opposite the Europa Hotel and the Grand Opera House, a few minutes’ walk from City Hall.
