Answering Michael Grimes’ question, ‘which is the oldest pub and which is better’.
Now, there’s actually a bit of debate around this in Belfast. McHugh’s, near the Albert Clock, boasts of being the oldest pub as it opened in 1711.
Me and Karen Strunks had a peek whilst we were there and to be honest, the funky interior makes it pretty hard to tell its old age until you look at the walls.
However, the more traditionally decked-out White’s Tavern lays claim to being ‘Belfast’s Oldest Tavern’, proudly sporting the date 1630.
Photo by mikemuryn1
Not nearly as old, but lovely all the same, is National Trust owned Crown Liquor Saloon, which opened in 1885. Me and Karen had lunch in one of their famous snugs and sank a pint or three of Guinness. Here’s my bad photos, which don’t really do the gorgeous interior justice:
The Crown is next door but one to Robinson’s Saloon, established in 1845, which my Uncle Ernie seems to spend every possible waking hour in, so I’m guessing it’s good.
Of course, Birmingham has its fair share of old pubs too. By far the oldest is The Old Crown in Digbeth, which claims to date back to 1368. However, there are worrying rumours that The Old Crown isn’t as old as it says it is.
But even if it isn’t quite as ancient as it purports to be, The Old Crown is still a ripe old age having opened in the late 1400′s, and older than any of the pubs in Belfast.
In this video clip Ben Waddington talks about the vast array of old Digbeth pubs, some of which still remain – like The Spotted Dog, Big Bulls Head, The Anchor, The Lamp Tavern and The White Swan.
So the pub telling little porkies wins it for Birmingham. It’s not that old, but it’s still bloody old.
