10 Castlereagh Rd, Belfast BT5 5FP
Clancy McDermott, who built this tavern himself in 1972, is a former Glentoran stalwart. I expected something different, and I wasn’t disappointed.
Olde Worlde is very much in evidence in the public bar, with its granite stone pillars, solid black beams and a giant sporting mural featuring Lester Piggott, Barry McGuigan, Dennis Taylor, Alec Higgins and, of course, East Belfast’s own living soccer legend, George Best. There are 5 snugs in total, with a large one right in the middle of the bar.
In complete contrast is the lounge to the rear. This is very bright, with white walls, and on one of them is a very large patch-work rug. To the rear of this again, are two pillars with a stone canopy above. It leads you into a disco cum darts room, shaped unusually like the bow of a ship.
I liked this friendly bar, and it certainly stands out against the general run of the mill working men’s bar in east Belfast.