06 Mar The Crown Liquor Bar, County Antrim
This ‘gin palace’ is undoubtedly one of the finest Victorian buildings in Belfast. Its exterior is decorated with colourful tiles. Inside it is a riot of stained and painted glass and tiles, carved oak screens, gaslights, polished mahogany, glinting and gleaming brass pipes and taps. Heraldic lions and griffins crouch on top of the carved oak-panelled ‘snugs’, or booths.
The saloon was originally designed as a railway tavern, and has a glorious mosaic tiled floor, and a ceiling with red and yellow arabesques in high relief. It was last restored in 1988, and is now owned by the National Trust, although it still functions as a public house.
The Crown Liquor Bar is a must see attraction when visiting Belfast on your Ireland tours.