Is the Crown Bar in Belfast the world's most beautiful pub?

This video looks at the beautiful Crown Bar in Belfast and asks if this is the most beautiful pub in Ireland, and, therefore, perhaps in the world?
A lot of work goes into these videos. You can now buy me a pint as a means of appreciation for my work on Naked Ireland, no obligation, obviously - only if you can afford it... I appreciate it. Cheers.
www.buymeacoff...
The Crown Bar, or Crown Liquor Saloon as it was formerly known, is situated on Great Victoria street, Belfast, directly opposite the railway station and the Europa Hotel seen here in the background.
Before even entering the bar we can view impressive polychromatic tiles that cover the whole of the exterior and which are used on the inside as well
The pub was established in the 1880’s and was originally known as the Railway Tavern due to it’s proximity to the station. It changed ownership in 1885 when bought by the Flanaghans, who renamed it and carried out its first and most important renovation. .
The Flanagans were able to persuade Italian craftsmen, who were in Ireland working on churches, to use their skills of tiling, wood carving and glass-work to decorate the pub after their working day in the churches was complete. This accounts for the very fine workmanship that we find throughout the pub today.
Some of the internal decorative features are: old gun metal plates for striking matches, a bell system for summoning staff, although I don’t think we’re encouraged to use it today, carved lions that adorn the corners of the booths and a beautifully tiled Victorian gents toilet. A little austere perhaps, but another monument to the Victorian age.
The pub has 10 booths in all with differing in capacities. These would have been reserved for the discerning railway traveller in Victorian times - now we can all enjoy their splendor.
The highly decorative carvings on the pub's ceiling are, again, the result of the labours of the Italian craftsmen, and the original gas lamps illuminating this extraodinary ceiling are still in use as well.
It is a stunning example of a Victorian Gin Palace and is a grade A listed building that has been owned by the National Trust since 1978. Over a period of three years they restored the bar at a cost of £400k. A further half a million was spent on it in a third renovation in 2007
The pub's mosaic tiled floor is also original and you might also notice a heated footbar just beneath the exquisite curved tiling on the bar.
The radiant etched stain glass windows incorporate an unlikely combination of designs of shells, fairies, pineapples, fleure de lit and clowns. Given that the hotel across the road was constantly bombed, I’m guessing that at least some of these windows are replacements.
The pub has featured in a number of films, the most impressive of which was Carol Reed’s classic Odd Man Out from 1947 staring James Mason
The bar is well known for its food, which can be ordered in the booths, or eaten in the dining room upstairs.
I think even the most discerning pub goers amongst you will have to agree that this is a very special place? But is it the most beautiful pub in Ireland.
Let me know in the comments and please like and subscribe and by all means share this video with your friends.
The Pub's webpage:
www.nicholsons...
The National Trust Page:
www.nationaltr...
Wikipedia Page:
en.wikipedia.o...

[@jacquicaffrey6607]

The artistry and craftsmanship in the Crown is astounding. It has a great atmosphere and so full of history. Definitely one of the most beautiful pubs!

[@nakedireland]

The best I think, though I need to do more research to be sure!! ; )

[@stuartmiller9648]

Been a few times,The Crown is a stunning pub and a must visit..!!!

[@nakedireland]

Couldn’t agree more Stuart, thanks for watching.

[@nakedireland]

I have some film of some other pubs that you might be interested in seeing - some in Belfast, some in Dublin.

[@brunoKenzer]

Was here a few weeks ago. I have to agree that it is a beautiful bar and enjoyed the surroundings with a pint of cask yardsman red ale in hand.

[@nakedireland]

It's a cracker! As we say in Belfast!

[@sclerismockrey8506]

ah, the crown. we visited ireland in 2005 while on tour with the late great andy williams. the whole company stayed at the europa (itself a memorable and fascinating place) and we all got plenty of good time at the crown. our performance was at the waterfront but we spent our off time at the crown. what a place, what memories. the people were kind and funny and welcoming (i note that all across ireland, actually) and everywhere you look there is the mark of history. i would so love to return.

[@nakedireland]

By all means come back, we'd love to see you again. Did I lie about it being the best pub in the world?

[@Rickzzz969]

Moving to Belfast this fall🍁 and can’t wait to check out this historic gem ☺️

[@nakedireland]

Wow, Rick, yeah it really is the best bar in the world! Enjoy!

[@jacquicaffrey6607]

Looking forward to this premiere, one of the most famous pubs in Belfast

[@nakedireland]

Yes, one of my fav videos too. Hope you enjoy. See you at 1pm

[@Watfordfc2030]

This is just beautiful absolutely stunning, myself and wife are having our first visit to belfast on the 10th March and staying at the europa hotel as it’s part of history. Thanks for the great video and we can’t wait to visit thanks

[@nakedireland]

You’ll love The Crown. If you’ve never been there before I highly recommend.

[@theknightwhosaysni1356]

Robinsons pub next door is worth a visit as well, and do make sure you also seek out Maddens Bar just a short walk (10 mins) from there up by Castle Court shopping mall (out of the Europa and turn left), a real Irish bar with music every night.

[@nakedireland]

Yeah, good call, Maddens brilliant for trad music.

[@Watfordfc2030]

@@theknightwhosaysni1356 appreciate the reply , can’t wait fella super excited and the wife is mega excited 👍

[@billadams8728]

I visited the beautiful Crown Pub while on a tour May 2018. The tour consisted of U.S. citizens and our travels took us from from Belfast and Londonderry to Stabane. What a way to kick off the tour! The Crown was recommended by our hotel a few blocks away. We were lucky to get a booth and enjoy the quintessential Irish pub experience. The 1826 building only added to the visit. You can feel the history.

[@nakedireland]

Bill, as you say, what a brilliant way to start a holiday. I’ve spend many many hours in this beautiful place and I recommend it to everyone who comes to Belfast. Sounds like you enjoyed your trip. I hope you’ll come back for another visit. Meanwhile, there may be some other Naked Ireland videos that are of interest; to keep you enthused before you come back to see us again!

[@billadams8728]

The Crown Pub was included in the first part of our visit to N. Ireland. My ancestry centered in County Tyrone and specifically, Strabane and Sion Mills. Tracing my ancestry and actually visiting the cemetery of my 5x great grandfather is an experience I'll never forget. The great migration from Ulster to America played a huge part in the establisment of the U.S. I am very proud to be of that heritage.

[@nakedireland]

What a fantastic trip Bill, I’m sure it felt really meaningful and you’ll never forget it. There’s an Ulster Folk Park in Tyrone which is a museum to show how people lived there in centuries passed. I wonder did you visit that as part of your tour?

[@billadams8728]

A visit to the Ulster/American Heritage Park was the culmination of our formal tour. You're right, the park traces the 18th-19th century migration and connects Ulster to millions of modern day Americans. We left the tour there and met the local genealogist who was previously commissioned to identify the farms and cemeteries of my ancestors. I learned so much about N. Ireland and the movement of Scots to Ireland and then to America. The tour included a lunch at Belfast Castle where we heard a lecture by a professor from Belfast Univ. Thank you for your invitation to return. It was a trip of a lifetime. Maybe I will.

[@nakedireland]

That sounds amazing. I can only imagine how that must have felt. My own parents lived in Tyrone, my mother grew up there. I’m sure if I’d been born in the US I’d have had the same yearning to visit. Ok Bill, come back and visit us again soon.

[@TheLastAngryMan01]

Was in one of the snugs there last year, the stained glass windows are beautiful and keep a nice layer of privacy between oneself and the passersby outside.

[@nakedireland]

My favourite bar in the whole world, seriously.

[@TheLastAngryMan01]

@@nakedireland It’s lovely, I must say. Did it start off as a Unionist establishment though, given the name?

[@nakedireland]

⁠That’s a good question. It began life as the Railway Tavern and after being bought by the Flanagans, it was given its present name. Now in Belfast we’re pretty adept at sussing out peoples religion by their name, and Flanagan would tend to suggest Catholic, which makes naming it The Crown all the more curious. However, this was in the late 19th century, before the Rising, War of Independence and Civil War and long before Partition, so perhaps it wasn’t seen as divisive a name at that time. After all, half of Dublin was named after London streets, and still is!

[@TheLastAngryMan01]

@@nakedirelandQuite, Dublin being the second city of the empire at one point. Not too many establishments called the Crown or the Royal down there these days, though! Would go back to the Crown in Belfast though for sure. Was intrigued by their method of hoisting up food from the kitchen on the ground floor.

[@nakedireland]

In fairness, many Dublin institutions still use the Royal in their name ‘Royal Irish Academy of Music’ etc, but yeah, Dublin enjoys the benefits of independence. Yes, The Crown is a great spot, and despite its name. It’s always been a very neutral pub, enjoyed by everyone, even at the height of the Troubles. Glad you enjoyed it too.

[@davidgough3049]

Would just love to visit it again.

[@nakedireland]

Please do! It’s always there for us!

[@midmiddleton163]

Gorgeous...

[@nakedireland]

Most beautiful in Ireland….the world?

[@midmiddleton163]

@@nakedireland The world is a massive place. Yet, The building is lovely.

[@eddiestaunton514]

Wish there was a bar around Lanyon Place, fierce dour around there

[@nakedireland]

I know what you mean! There used to be a bar in the station, The Whistle Stop I believe it was called? But when they renovated they replaced it with a cafe!

[@elizaphe58]

Never been in there!

[@nakedireland]

It’s beautiful, go on your next visit.

[@DrPangloss]

Sorry to disappoint, but the bar scene in "Odd man out" wasn't actually filmed in the Crown. Rather they made a film set at Denham Studios, England which was a very close copy of the Crown.

[@nakedireland]

Ha ha, yes I’m aware of that. In fact in Odd man out, the bar miraculously appears in a terrace rather than on a corner if I recall. The wonders of the silver screen! Thanks for watching.

[@DrPangloss]

@@nakedireland Nevertheless, I will be visiting Belfast in spring, and will make a point of visiting for a pint or 2.

[@nakedireland]

Aw yes, you must, you won't be disappointed I assure you. My favourite pub of all time!

[@douglasschaden3475]

I've been to the Crown a hundred times and never once sat in a booth. The snugs are brilliant, though.

[@nakedireland]

You should do it. If you go in with just one other person, I recommend the booth immediately to the left as you walk in the front door. It’s the smallest there, but great for just 2 or 3 people. Thanks for watching.

[@douglasschaden3475]

@@nakedireland there are no booths. There are only snugs. Thanks for watching.

[@nakedireland]

So what’s the difference between a booth and a snug?

[@douglasschaden3475]

@@nakedireland if you'd been you'd know.

[@nakedireland]

You’re a tad cheeky Douglas, and in a totally unprovoked kind of way. I practically lived in the Crown Bar in the 80s/90s and still often visit to this day. I’ve had literally hundreds if not approaching a thousand visits. I drank in there when the current Charge Hand was only starting in the job. And then you burst on here with your booths and snugs nonsense! Watch my film on James Toner’s in Bagott Street, you’ll hear me talk all about Snugs! (or are they booths 🤔). Thanks for watching.

[@sicksquid3258]

Those tables just in front of the bar!!! what the actual phuk?

[@nakedireland]

It was called Covid!

[@g-dcomplex1609]

i'll take three shots of your best gin, straight, line em up right here 😃 thanks, wonderful video, now i know this is a liquor saloon. opulent is a good choice of words.

[@nakedireland]

You gotta visit it, it’s even better with a big pint of Guinness in front of you!