38-40 Great Victoria St, Belfast BT2 7BA
From the outside, you would think it was a large commercial hotel, and you would be quite right, for at the turn of the century it was called The Dublin and Armagh Hotel. The name Robinson’s was from the original owner, William Robinson. From 1930 to 1970 it was in the capable hands of Charles O’Neill and his family; for the next 10 years it was owned jointly by the Rice brothers (they keep popping up everywhere) and Tony Diver, now owner of The Beaten Docket, a few doors away, and since the early eighties, the proprietors have been Croft Inns, a subsidiary of the Guinness group of companies.
Robinson’s was built at the turn of the century in the Victorian age, and it still has that wonderful look today. The dignified, elaborate mahogany bar brings us back to relaxed drinking days of yore. With its black and white tiled floor and solid mahogany bar counter – over 2 feet in width, inlaid with two rows of brown tiles, plus the added magnificence of the elaborately carved mahogany cabinet behind, it’s a joy to behold. It must be one of the finest in the land. Although the 6 large red leather snugs blend in well, I thought they were lacking the detail which was there prior to Prestige Pubs’ refurbishment job in the early seventies. The two stone fireplaces which, I believe, were added at the same time, also seem out of place. To the back of the public bar is the groovy, trendy Ziggy’s Bar, frequented by bikers and the young set.
The approach to Robinson Crusoe Lounge on the first floor is really grand, an attractive broad staircase with colourful prints and pictures adorning all the walls. The entrance to the lounge sets the nautical theme for this very pleasing and well-designed bar, with its stained glass picture of Robinson Crusoe. The 30-metre lounge is designed like an 18th century sailing ship. It’s on three levels: the top part to the front has wooden shutters on the windows, deer and moose heads and ship’s lanterns around the walls, and a solid-looking fireplace. In the middle bar there is a nice touch of ship’s sails above and a ship’s figurehead of a bare-breasted lady in a corner. What helps greatly to create the atmosphere here are the various signs scattered throughout the bar. Here are a few: WRECK SALE – 24th APRIL 1796; 15th JULY 1825 – FOR SALE 5 SLAVES; WANTED – 3 ABLEBODIED SEAMEN OR LANDLUBBERS FOR TRADING BRIG WESTWARDS TO SET SAIL FROM THIS PORT 15th MARCH 1798.
I like the idea of the embossed map on the mirrors. On the lowest level is a bar shaped like the interior of a sailing brig, complete with mast and rigging, the timbered stern of which can be seen sticking out of the rear of the premises, where there is a new entrance. Along one side of the inside deck are 4 comfortable snugs, sea blue upholstery throughout. Once again, the lighting is like its sister bar, Bob Cratchett’s. The intensity of the lighting changes throughout the day, bright when food is being served, and more subdued in the evenings. Abundant woodwork throughout gives this bar a nautical feeling, and the various knick-knacks around the bar give it its solid and shiplike atmosphere, while at the same time it complements the lovely Victorian bar downstairs.
The small bar at the top of the house is called The Mooney Bar – 25 years ago, being directly opposite the old Great Victoria Station, Robinson’s had a great tradition for football and horsey fans to “have one for the road”, and afterwards to come back to celebrate their win or drown their sorrows. But times have changed, and it’s now the young jet set which mainly frequents the place. When I called in May ’89, I noticed they had the three most experienced barmen you could ask for: Jimmy Keveney, the former owner of the old Duke of York, Charlie Lavery and Peter Hughes. As long as they have men of this calibre, Robinson’s is in good hands. Charlie Lavery once remarked that Robinson’s was, is, and will always be, a great bar. When I think of it, he was right.