The Spaniard
47 Reviews
The Spaniard, formely Opium, is a narrow bar and restaurant, spread over three floors, in the heart of the now bustling Cathedral Quarter.
Downstairs is like walking in to somebody's living room as there is ornaments and wallpaper everywhere!
The only downside is that it tends to get very busy an Saturday nights.
Across the road you can find The Potthouse Bar & Grill, The Cloth Ear and Ollie's.
Information and Contact Details
| Web Site | http://www.thespaniardbar.com/ | |
| Category | Mixture | |
| Address | 3 Skipper Street | |
| Belfast | ||
| County Antrim | ||
| BT1 2DZ | ||
| Phone Number | 028 90232448 | |
| Distance from Belfast City Hall | 0.7 | |
| Disabled Facilities | Not ideal |
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Ratings
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Customer Comments and Reviews of The Spaniard (Add a Review)
There now follows 47 other reviews of The Spaniard
The way manageress speaks to other members of staff especially the young ones is awful especially as this bar is so busy
Submitted on 14/05/2008
Having read through all the reviews on this bar most of them comment on the pleasantness of the staff, which i can't understand. I've have never encountered worse bar staff in my life in terms of manners - they act like they're doing customers a favour by serving them. Awful place.
Submitted on 08/04/2008
Wouldn't go back... went there for a friends leaving doo and were told on no uncertain terms that we had to leave due to the fact like we weren't 23(??)(we're all 22). The snobby blonde lady stood looking at us until we left. Totally ruined our night.
Thanks...
Submitted on 26/03/2008
Excellent bar. Friendly staff and punters, great tunes, brilliant atmosphere.
Submitted on 24/03/2008
Bouncer was sound. Bar staff were snotty and the dj looked like Austin Powers, what more can i say.
Overated converted house in an overated area.
Submitted by Eamonn on 26/02/2008
Love this bar, love the atmosphere, love the bar staff, love the music!! No wonder this little treasure was voted the best bar in belfast, much better than some of the other establishments around!
Submitted by Sam on 24/01/2008
Was in this bar a last saturday, the music was excellent. The two girls behind thebar were very friendly and helpful when i was deciding what to get. Keep up the good work!!
Submitted by Jo on 24/01/2008
Nice place, friendly staff, what more could you ask for.
Submitted by John Shepard on 06/01/2008
HAving used to work in the old Opium bar, this is much more accessable. Great crowd, and i mean crowd (it gets packed to the gills at the weekend), good sign for any bar. Nice atmosphere and unique design. Very rainbow friendly so no riff raff.
Good night out. Average age late 20's.
Sound
Submitted by top_dag on 04/01/2008
Brilliant Bar. Friendly Bar staff and great atmosphere. Superb music. Eammon is the best DJ about, never too busy to play a request for you.... Thats why im there nearly every week!!
Submitted by Mark Hass on 28/12/2007
What is and was truly a lovely bar with ambience and good music is spoilt by the unbelievable rudeness of the bar staff - especially the blonde one. I wouldn't please these people by going back.
Submitted by C, Belfast on 04/12/2007
I can't believe this place has such a good reputation in Belfast, it really is distinctly mediocre. The place is tiny, the decor is tacky and the food really is pretty bad. I couldn't recommend this place at all.
Submitted on 22/11/2007
I love this bar. The only problem is that it does get really crowded so you do need to get in early if you want a seat. The food is really good too and very reasonably priced.
Submitted on 23/10/2007
I loved this place. It was always my favourite pub in Belfast. It's just a shame than in the past 6 months a snooty blonde woman who looks down her nose at anyone who isn't part of the beautiful people got a job there.
Submitted by WJ on 19/10/2007
I'm afraid i just don't get this bar. It is kooky and nice for one visit, but not being able to stand still for a second without someone banging into you is ok if its a busy bar, but when it happens with 30 people in a bar its a bit much.
Beer is cold, but choice disappointing and the smell of the toilets would kill you. Someone posted that if you were a snob then don't go, but i'm afraid that this bar is so highly thought of because of its location - in my opinion people are snobby who go there.
Not somewhere I will be returning in a hurry
Submitted by CJ on 22/09/2007
fantastic great atmosphere .
Submitted by mikey on 17/09/2007
Can't recommend this bar enough, just plain brilliant
Submitted on 09/08/2007
Brilliant - genuinely the best bar in Belfast. It represents what the cathedral quarter night life is supposed to be about - fantastic atmosphere, original surroundings and great music. Puts other venues in this area to absolute shame - this is not for fans of the potthouse! I have now left Northern Ireland and I really really miss this place!
Submitted on 10/07/2007
Possibly Belfasts best kept secret! I cant speak highly enough about this bar. The staff, customers, atmosphere - all perfect!
Submitted by Aidan on 17/05/2007
Hate actually giving reviews because it may catch on and will never get a seat!! However :o) it definately deserves it :o) Excellant food, drink and atmosphere! Made to feel very welcome and a menu to suit all tastes Congrats on a job well done :o)definately have to give it a try...
Submitted by Jillo on 28/03/2007
The Spaniard is an abolute gem, it has such a cosy and friendly atmosphere, even if you're sitting in a bar full of strangers you feel like you're with friends. the staff are so frendly and really good craic, and the food i great. it's definitely a welcome change to all the contemporary bars that keep opening up in belfast, to summarise the spaniard in three words: fun, quirky and friendly
Submitted on 17/03/2007
If you've got a snooty attitude, don't bother going. Has to be the friendliest place in Belfast. Great music and brilliant staff. Boogie where you stand and enjoy the craic. Don't worry about what you're wearing (label-wise). If you're that shallow, don't bother going here. Its down-to-earth, cramped, busy and a happy place to be in on a saturday night. Leave your ego at the door and enjoy.
Submitted by Brenda Gough on 11/03/2007
Best bar in belfast. Like coming home after a hard day..
Submitted by J on 03/03/2007
The Spaniard has to be rated as one of the best bars in belfast, if not the whole of Ireland, and I should know, having drank in most of them! Warm friendly staff, especially the fella with the diamond earrings, great food- worth checking out the tapas menu, and a great atmosphere and good mix of people. A nice place to relax in the afternoon, or else to party the night away! Highly recommended, especially to hip cats. Estate agent types may prefer the Cloth Ear across the street. Keep up the great work amigos!!!
Submitted by Stevie Batt on 20/02/2007
Best bar in the world (and believe me I've been in plenty) Great atmosphere; great management and staff; great food; great, but unobtrusive, background music; cosy fireplace; great decor upstairs and downstairs (Jazz legends on the walls upstairs and a REALLY eclectic setting downstairs; great theme parties, boat trips etc. and a great crowd with great craic at the bar. A truly classy establishment. Oh, and you'll LOVE the goldfish!
Submitted by Frankie Connolly on 15/02/2007
great bar, friendly staff and fellow drinkers, all in all its the best of its kind in belfast!! undoubtedly
Submitted by Pete on 13/02/2007
The Spaniard is the essence of Belfast wrapped up in chocolate! With an inviting ambience, the bar welcomes its customers with a special hospitality that makes you want to stay all night. A comforting selection of familiar music enables the easy interaction of regulars and first timers. I highly recommend.
Submitted by PK on 06/02/2007
This has got to be the best bar in belfast, without a doubt! So chilled out, great staff, great selection of drinks, friendly, great music, great atmosphere, great character...fantastic! This is what great bars are all about. Congratulations to the owner/manager Janine, I love it!!
Submitted by Eoin on 27/01/2007
Simply the best bar in a town full of them.
Submitted by JD Brig on 12/01/2007
i relly wanted to like it but its sooooo small might be better if we went on a less busy time
Submitted on 05/01/2007
Went there in October following a meal for a friends birthday and we all loved it, the music was great the bar staff were certainly busy but friendly and it was a lovely atmosphere.
Submitted by Joanne on 30/12/2006
great bar, great kooky atmosphere and filled with chilled out staff and punters. only down side is it can get too busy and squashed - but that's what comes with being popular!
Submitted by adrian mc elholm on 08/12/2006
I love it... Best spot in Belfast for whatever you want!! Staff are fantastic, atmosphere is second to none.
Submitted by Julie from the Monday Club on 03/12/2006
the spaniard brings a whole new meaning to having adrink with freinds. the atmosphere within the place makes you feel completely at ease and everyone there is a freind. i am never more at ease than sitting very comfortably with a pint in the spaniard, home away from home....
Submitted by peter rowan on 28/11/2006
Great wee place. It's cramped but fun downstairs. I've no idea about someones front room it would be a weird one. Ceiling and walls are covered with album covers and pictures/posters. Some very strange. I mean Harry Secombe and Dean Martin with Bob Marley - interesting combination. I've taken a look upstairs but haven't eaten there yet. Quirkey is a good description. I'll be back.
Submitted on 02/11/2006
i love it
its excellent
staff are brilliant
Submitted on 23/10/2006
Very friendly staff and great atmosphere. Can say that the cleintele are really friendly too. One of my favourite bars in the city center. Too packed on the weekends though or later in the evenings during the week. Never tried the food but heard its not great.
Submitted by Andy on 29/09/2006
Belfast should have more bars like this, cold beer great music and you just dont know who is going to walk through the door next! anything goes in this crazy little place!
Submitted on 31/07/2006
I have been to this charming and lively bar a couple of times now and really enjoyed it. The wine is great, and the pints good, the only problem is that it is too small, a little more space would be nice, but you can't have everything.
Submitted on 08/06/2006
i must say i absoluletly love the Spanaird. It is just a small piece of heaven in the middle of Belfast. Even on a monday night it has a happy and fun vibe. well done all
Submitted on 24/05/2006
Go to this pretentious bar if you fancy being verbally abused by the doorman. As a group of 4 females we were really shocked to have a jumped up little man in diamond earrings swear and shout at us at the end of the night for not getting out quick enough (one of us had nipped to the loo before leaving and we were standing waiting coats and bags at the ready). He even continued his tirade of abuse at us as we went down the stairs. Wonder would he have been so brave if we had been male and didnt have his gaggle of friends(allowed to drink after hours) to show off in front off? Much better places in the city centre to spend your hard earned cash.
Submitted on 22/05/2006
We are now hooked, can't wait to the weekend to get our weekly visit to The Spaniard, brilliant staff and fantastic atmosphere!!
Submitted by The Girlies on 22/05/2006
Living in the west coast of America, I thought I had experienced everything that a "Tapas Bar" had to offer. I was totally wrong. This is the ultimate cultural cocktail of "Belfast/Basque" style. The Spaniard is without doubt one of the special places I have ever frequented. Even though it is small in size, it delivers a big experience. The atmosphere is cozy like a local pub, the decor is a mixture of pop rock culture meets spanish chuxto, the customer service is five star from the immediate acknowledgement when you walk through the door to the gentle follow up during and after selected courses. I've been at 5 star hotels that offer less service. I loved the selection of light draft beers. The daily market specials (I had fresh haddock) were fresh, flavourable and value for money. My only regret is that I did not have additional time on my schedule to repeat the experience during my trip. I visisted with my girlfriend, and plan on having more friends stop by during their trips to Belfast. The Spaniard ROCKS!
Submitted by Patrick Lawrence Kane on 06/04/2006
thought that the spaniard was quite grubby and the tapas dish's that we ordered were extremely poor. the canarian potatoes with mojo sauce were nothing but belfast spuds and lazy chili
three tiny processed meat balls, under cooked calamari (which was advertised as salted chili squid)the chorizo was straight from a packet from tescos, and they played rap music in the back ground. It seemed very dis organised and really there was no atmosphere to even suggest that this was a spanish theme bar.
I have to say our party of four were extremely disappointed and will never set foot in the grubby little dive again
Submitted by brian m on 26/03/2006
Spent Paddy's Day in here - Great day !! Got in just before the masses of people found out about this little gem. Had wonderful lunch upstairs in the most relaxing of bars i've been in. Got great pints and great seats and just enjoyed it all day. I'll be there again during my next trip !!!
Submitted on 21/03/2006
great tunes, relaxed atmosphere, laid back crowd definitely worth a night (or day!)out with a group of mates
Submitted on 16/03/2006
well what can we say this is the bar belfast has been calling out for. for years we have all longed for a local bar in the city centre and the spanaird has delivered. it really is a gem, good food, great pints and the craic is almighty. well done
Submitted on 23/01/2006
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