On our recent trip to Belfast, we had the chance to see a range of pubs, for scientific research of course.

First of all, you simply cannot go to Belfast without a stop in The Crown Pub. Originally opened by Felix O'Hanlon in 1826 as The Railway Tavern, it was renovated into its current form with its incredible ornate tiling, stained glass, and carvings around 1885.

Apparently, this was done by Italian craftsmen who were somehow convinced by the owner Michael Flanagan to do the work after the pub closed in the evenings. They were the ones who gave it the Leaky Cauldron look (a la Harry Potter) that it still sports today. It went on to become regarded as one of the finest Victorian Gin Palaces of its time.

Fine. But then there’s the Dufferin.

Where The Crown is a show in itself with so much architectural eye candy everywhere, the Dufferin stands out by bringing in the locals.

And not just the locals, but the folks who know how to handle themselves around the guitar and the fiddle, the banjo and the harp.

This talent shows up here spontaneously. They know each other, are friends, and are certainly loved by the patrons. Personally, I found that the Guinness just goes down so much better with a little Irish music and a random Beatles tune in the background.

I’ve put up three videos here just to give the vibe of the place. Honestly, of the two pubs, I’d rather Guinness-up at the Dufferin.