Status : Closed
3 Linenhall St W, Belfast BT2 8DY
When a new licence was granted in 1981, the previous licence handed in was that of the old International Hotel at the rear of the City Hall. The converted Linen Warehouse dates back to the mid-19th century where it served the White Linen Hall, where the City Hall now stands, hence the name of the bar. The young owners, David Donnelly and Tony Devlin, came up with the original conception to create a Wine Bar to cater for office workers, BBC, and business clientele during the day and, hopefully, to bring back the Buzz into Belfast after dark, and this they have done admirably. The old wooden beams are the original ones, and help to preserve the historical feel of the building. Throughout the two small bars they used reclaimed material, old bricks, pine and mahogany. The booth dividers came from the old Mooney’s Bar in Cornmarket, as did the canopy in the back room, while around the walls are hung old prints of Victorian Belfast. The narrow bar as you enter from the main front entrance, is by far the more attractive of the two, with its solid mahogany bar counter sitting on reclaimed bricks. Hanging flower baskets and green upholstery blend in with the green carpet, and right in the very heart of the bar stands a mahogany pillar on reclaimed bricks. It once again goes to show that you don’t have to spend a fortune to create the right atmosphere.
It’s no wonder that this small bar has won the Best Kept Building Award twice, in 1983 and 1987. Lunchtime here is particularly busy, especially since the Linenhall won Gilbey’s Best Pub Grub of the Year three years in a row. Their winning policy is Good Value and a wide variety, with at least 9 different meals at lunchtime. The Linenhall is only 9 years old, yet has the air of a very much older established house. Although small in terms of square footage, its popularity has been maintained and has grown over the years. It certainly is a relaxing escape from the noisy city centre. An unassuming little pub, friendly and comfortable . . . almost homely.