Cassidy’s Bar

Part of me doesn’t want to review this place — I don’t like giving bad reviews, unless they really deserve it, but I’m of the opinion that Cassidy’s does. A friend and I called in here a while back while we were waiting to meet a friend … ‘m pretty sure I’ll never be back. As we walked through the door, the men at the bar actually cheered! Talk about feeling uncomfortable! I’m sure the both of us were beetroot! We felt obliged to buy a drink after taking a quick run in to the disgusting toilets (with the door hanging off and no toilet roll!) and I don’t think I’ve ever drank a round so quickly, we literally were itching to get out. Not that we were treated badly or anything, but the whole vibe of the place was simply scummy. I’m sure it does its job as a local watering hole, but I’ll leave it to the locals.

I absolutely loathe this place. There’s a joke about North Belfast and the number of rats we have with the punchline being «the problem is, most of the rats are sitting in the bars» and this is most definitely the case with Cassidy’s. While this cannot said of all its’ customers (so please don’t take offense if you’re reading this and you happen to frequent Cassidy’s) but it tends to really attract the scum. There are 3 – 4 bars overall on this stretch of the Antrim Road and the same same can be said for them all.

Cassidy’s bar is at the top of the Limestone Road and is in the building that was my first ever bank, where I had my little account (anyone else remember the Ulster Bank Hippo?). When it opened it filled a gap for a bar in the area which wasn’t a locals only bar filled with people who have only drank there, ever. The type of people who are never happy to see a new face.
The décor is the traditional Irish pub with lots of signs and Guinness memorabilia aplenty. The owners always love to show their support for the home county of Armagh in terms of GAA and will always have a little boast to their Antrim patrons, but always in good faith. For a £1 more on the price of your pint you can get a little bowl of stew through the day which fills the gap and keeps the energy up for yet more grueling sitting and drinking!

This local watering hole for those in North Belfast holds a special place in my husband’s heart because he spent his last morning there as a ‘free’ man — on the morning of our wedding day — yes, very romantic I hear you say. This is a local bar for local people, and the owners are massive Armagh supporters, so when the All-​Ireland Cup is in full swing, expect the outside to be festooned with flags and such like. It’s more of a man’s sports bar than anything else, it’s not the first choice for a girls night out — but the drinks and food offers can be good, and they do a good fry up if that’s your type of thing. No parking outside which isn’t great, but for most locals who go here, it’s probably within walking distance anyway.