Status : Brennans
48 Great Victoria St, Belfast BT2 7BB
Near the end of The Golden Mile, an attractive, modern red-brick structure will certainly attract your attention, as it stands proudly on the corner of Great Victoria Street and the now fashionable Amelia Street. The Beaten Docket was built in 1985 on the site of the once popular Hamill Hotel and Adelphi Bar. Its spectacular frontage manages to complement attractive bars like The Crown and Robinson’s close by, and yet it retains its own individual look. Some say its designers had the opulent Grand Opera House across the road in mind, especially when you look at the riveting glass dome effect which covers the stairway to the first floor Hamill Lounge. It’s a magnificent bar by any standards. The ground floor with its antique finished old world atmosphere has for its piece de resistance the attractive mahogany counter and solid mounted brass rail with elephant heads. Each elephant looks like its trunk is holding up the rail, while sitting on the top of the counter, 5 individual lamps are mounted on lovely twisted brass stems. The back showcase to the bar is adorned with glittering cut glass and bevelled mirrors blending in with stained glass panels illuminated from behind to form a magical effect. The bar has comfortable seating of leather upholstery throughout.
The floor is of black and white tiles, but look out for the beautiful stained glass inverted dome near an open fire. Another major feature is the largish snug, ‘Watson’s Corner’, called after a friend of the owners, with a couple of photos of yer man himself. Around the bar are scattered a large selection of old coloured cigarette cards of sporting scenes. On a busy afternoon here, the air is filled with the excited talk of horse racing, in keeping with the owner, Tony Diver, a popular bookmaker.
Entrance to the Hamill Lounge above is by way of a staircase under a spectacular glazed dome, trimmed in brass, and complemented with marble paintwork, while fizzing neon lights beckon punters into this marvellous Italian marble emporium. This lovely lounge is in complete contrast to downstairs. Its art deco theme and extensive use of pine, Italian marble and stained ash, chequered and coloured upholstery with a fascinating colour scheme of greys and pinks, all help to create an opulent but comfortable atmosphere. The ceiling is raised in a stepped pattern which contains flower boxes and an illuminated ceiling. Relaxed seating areas are on different levels, allowing intimacy in a fairly large area. By night-time, the unique atmosphere is enhanced by floodlighting and coloured neon illuminating the glass dome. No money has been spared in the creation of this fine ‘Marble Palace’.