The Crown Liquor Saloon

You'll spot the elaborate Victorian façade from across Great Victoria Street, but nothing quite prepares you for the theatrical interior. Step inside and you're transported to a proper 19th-century gin palace, complete with carved wooden snugs, hand-painted tiles, and enough ornate mirrors to make a Habsburg palace jealous. The snugs are the real draw here – intimate little booths with their own service hatches where you can tuck away with a pint of Guinness and actually hear your conversation. Yes, it's National Trust-owned and crawling with tourists, but there's something genuinely magical about this place that transcends the guidebook crowd. The bar staff know their business, pouring proper pints while navigating the constant stream of visitors wanting photos. Food's standard Nicholson's fare – think fish and chips for £12 and decent enough Sunday roasts – but you're really here for the atmosphere and the remarkable preservation of Belfast's boozing history.