Bert's Bar

Good old Bertie! This cove knows how to look after his clientele. Bert's Bar is an appendage of the Victorian Merchant Hotel, Belfast. Bert's can be entered via High Street.

There's a three-piece jazz band - double bass, drums and piano - playing here as I write.

Despite it being a Monday,  the dining-room is fairly busy. I was brought a bowl of fresh, crusty bread with a ramekin of butter and minced olives.

My dinner has been very good, consisting of a kind of egg and ham croquette with a salad garnish; then confit of duck with Lyonnaise potatoes and fresh, seasonal vegetables.

To be truthful, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

It must be nine-fifteen and I'm listening to the trio with a modest glass of Beefeater, opposite St George's Church in High Street.