Monico

Just across from Whites, Monico has a much different feel about it. The higher ceilings and white walls make it just not as warming as it’s neighbour, and the men staring over you at the horse racing on the big screens aren’t exactly the most welcoming. Having said that we stayed for a pint.
Just the one mind, as although entertaining enough for a short while as you take in all the characters of the place, it’s not the sort of place you could spend an entire evening in. I’ll be in Whites instead.

On the odd occasion that I have steeled myself for a shopping expedition into Belfast’s city centre, I have always ended up in The Monico. Shopping anywhere is hell when you are six foot two, it is raining and there are thousands of people armed with umbrellas absolutely determined to stab you in the head with the bloody things.
It is for their own safety that I retreat into this haven of tranquility. Why beat someone to death with your bare hands when you can have a pint and a sarnie in a quiet, relaxing atmosphere?
I have never known The Monico to be rammed full of people, just a few people clutching betting slips watching racing, maybe the odd lanky bloke (with what looks like puncture marks in his head) in a corner. The interior probably hasn’t changed in many years either, but I like that.
It always seems to close very early which can be frustrating on late-​shopping Thursdays, but this is a minor niggle when you consider that The Monico probably saves umbrella-​wielding nutters from being subjected to GBH.

As most have noted the Monico is one of those bars that just ‘is’. Hard to define, no real agenda, varied clientele, authentic décor and reasonable selection and pricing of drinks.
Maybe the bar is so confide in itself it doesn’t really seem to be trying too hard like some other city centre bars which can fall between ‘so trendy it hurts’ and ‘waiting to die’. This place is perfect for an afternoon pint and a quick read of the paper. don’t expect too much action as it’s normally empty apart from a few barflys and the pleasantly pithy bars staff.
They also do food though I haven’t had the pleasure yet and there’s apparently a separate dining area somewhere down the side. If you’re at a loose end in town and fancy a quiet moment to get your thoughts in order then the Monico is the place for you.
Pros: Quiet, laidback.
Cons: Too quiet?

Perhaps the fact this bar being steeped in history can make it more appealing to some people. But what some people call history, other people call rotting walls, rotting chairs, general falling apart.
It is the sort of place that I would go if I was in the scouts and had to get my Going to Monico Bar badge. The place is pretty awful if I’m being honest. The bar is good for a pint. That sadly is all the bar is good for.
If you wanted to go for more than a pint, seriously try elsewhere.

This is one of the traditional bars based in the city centre, aside from the trendier Cathedral Quarter.
It truly is an old man’s pub if you pardon the crass expression. Lots of older regular regulars enjoy stiff drinks in the compnay of equally masculine old men.
The atmosphere is reasonably friendly, although I would recommend ordering a proper drink. A pint or a spirit, I’m not 100% sure on the selection but you may get a vacant stare if you ask for something like a pear cider or, alas, a strawberry and lime cider… I would get your running shoes on.
That being said it’s a fine place to drop in for a little tipple on your way around the busy bustling streets of the city. I played it safe and when for the usual pint of Guinness. It wasn’t overly chilled and was well presented. I’ll probably call in again one of these days.

This bar is a bit of an institution in Belfast. It has a fantastic central location in Belfast and is good for a few drinks during a shop or for a lot of drinks on a weekend evening. During the day there’s often a lot of the locals making trips to and from the bookies next door, making their bets then enjoying a pint whilst the rue their missed chances being played out on the various televisions.
The food is ok, just your usual pub grub but you get what you pay for. The stew is very nice and not watery like some other places in Belfast. The staff are a good laugh, particularly the older staff in the front bar who always have lots of banter with the locals and are possibly making their own bets through them as well!
Generally just a nice place to be, to have a few drinks and watch the day go by.

This is the sort of bar I would have gone to with my Dad, it’s got a slightly older clientele, not to disparage them, and I’m always happy to feel younger than others as I approach the dreaded ‘thirty’, but it’s not the sort of place for the 20somethings to find a bloke, I wouldn’t imagine. It’s got a friendly vibe, and is a good place to start the night off, before heading to the likes of White’s Tavern, then the Spaniard, let’s say, but it isn’t my idea of a total and complete night out. The staff are attentive, and you never have to wait long at the bar, and it’s cosy and comfortable, but I would recommend it to older men and women who want a comfortable pint in the town centre.