The Ava can be found opposite Bangor's Post Office and local Bus and Rail Station on Main Street. The building dates back to 1840, originally built as housing, later turned hotel, and then of course, a restaurant and bar. Basement Level: The Pit, public bar is situated in the basement and is one of the oldest licensed premises in Bangor.
The interior resembles a traditional pub and the regulars have become live in furniture with a strong connection to the bar itself and the people who work there, giving the place a real sense of community. The bar serves up karaoke every Friday and live music every Saturday, with Brenda and the team at the helm.
The interior resembles a traditional pub and the regulars have become live in furniture with a strong connection to the bar itself and the people who work there, giving the place a real sense of community. The bar serves up karaoke every Friday and live music every Saturday, with Brenda and the team at the helm.
Reviews (21)
Chris Matthews
Jan 15, 2022
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Claire Gray
Dec 25, 2021
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Margaret Stewart
Dec 09, 2021
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Paul Agnew
Nov 16, 2021
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Alexandru Danicel
Nov 13, 2021
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Lynn Hutchinson
Oct 31, 2021
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Raymond Lee
Oct 27, 2021
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Claire Mac
Oct 06, 2021
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Alicja Urbas
Sep 29, 2021
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Kathy McCandless
Sep 14, 2021
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Staying in Bangor again tonight. Googled to see where to eat, and had a nosey in through a few windows. Ended up at Ava - again! Third time now. And it certainly didn't disappoint!
Friendly welcome. Managed to nab a table without a booking (only just!) Prompt service. Food was really good. I opted for the Halloumi grill, and my husband the steak sandwich. Other than several fatty bits on the steak our plates were cleared. Would've been good to have some form of 'green' on the plate along with the steak.
Reasonably priced, other than dessert which was £6 for a ridiculously small portion. Tasty
Friendly welcome. Managed to nab a table without a booking (only just!) Prompt service. Food was really good. I opted for the Halloumi grill, and my husband the steak sandwich. Other than several fatty bits on the steak our plates were cleared. Would've been good to have some form of 'green' on the plate along with the steak.
Reasonably priced, other than dessert which was £6 for a ridiculously small portion. Tasty
Amanda Craig
Aug 22, 2021
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Tanya Romanovich
Aug 25, 2020
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Wow! So stylish, so cozy! I loved everything on the menu. What was even better: the Sunday roast menu was still available at 6 pm. Broccoli and blue cheese starter was to die for followed by mushroom risotto. Really nice! They have an impressive cocktail menu. Make sure you'll try at least one. The 🍒 on the top was... the staff: very pleasant, attentive and professional. Cant wait to be back!
Caroline S.
Jan 02, 2019
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Was in yesterday for a family lunch. We are very impressed. Very friendly staff. The food is to die for absolutely geogeous. A lot to choose from and reasonably priced. As it was new years day it was busy we didnt feel under pressure to leave. It is family orientated as we had a 8 year old and a 1 year old. We will be back.
Emily R.
Jun 29, 2017
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This place was a sweet surprise to my random day in Bangor. It's a nice little restaurant, so I admit I was a bit worried I would be underdressed coming back from a Horserides in the country. The staff however was extremely welcome if and the food did not disappoint. It was a cold and drizzly day, so I started with the spinach starter and the melted cheese garlic bread. Wow!! Just wow!
The food totally hit the spot, and the everyone was just fantastic. Worth it!!
The food totally hit the spot, and the everyone was just fantastic. Worth it!!
Zoe C.
Aug 24, 2016
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This place has been totally revamped and I love love love it. Popped in on Saturday afternoon in need of drink and was introduced to the luscious jaw box Martini. Definitely a reason to go back. We promptly returned for a meal and had a lovely dinner. They do a good sharing platter. Only complaint was that it gets really noisy but wouldn't deter me from going back as it was love as first sip with the cocktails!
Graham I.
Aug 03, 2016
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Fantastic restaurant in Bangor had had a beautiful facelift...
To be honest I've been in twice for lunch on a Saturday since The Ava reopened its doors after a much welcome refurb and as ever it doesn't disappoint!
The food was always fantastic here even if the backdrop was getting a little tired, but the new bar and new look is fantastic and should deservedly place it amongst the best restaurants in the town.
I have to say I was a little nervous when I heard it was being taken over as it was always one of my favourite Bangor eateries, but when I first came back after the refurb
To be honest I've been in twice for lunch on a Saturday since The Ava reopened its doors after a much welcome refurb and as ever it doesn't disappoint!
The food was always fantastic here even if the backdrop was getting a little tired, but the new bar and new look is fantastic and should deservedly place it amongst the best restaurants in the town.
I have to say I was a little nervous when I heard it was being taken over as it was always one of my favourite Bangor eateries, but when I first came back after the refurb
Gareth C.
Jul 18, 2016
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This place has just undergone a revamp and is totally transformed.
We decided to check it out on Saturday night and were really quite impressed.
A great selection of cocktails, craft beers and spirits in stylish comfy surroundings. It really was hard to get your head round that you were in the Ava!
Bit of live Jazz in the corner, table service, reasonable prices, we were very pleasantly surprised indeed.
A welcome new spot in Bangor for a few relaxed drinks in a nice atmosphere.
Didn't try the food but it looked good as well.
We decided to check it out on Saturday night and were really quite impressed.
A great selection of cocktails, craft beers and spirits in stylish comfy surroundings. It really was hard to get your head round that you were in the Ava!
Bit of live Jazz in the corner, table service, reasonable prices, we were very pleasantly surprised indeed.
A welcome new spot in Bangor for a few relaxed drinks in a nice atmosphere.
Didn't try the food but it looked good as well.
Jeff B.
Feb 18, 2015
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Used to love this place especially for there early bird two courses for £10 , my partner and i went last month and had noticed the menu had changed slightly the ceaser salad was still on but came with the norm dressing rather than the cajun dressing which i thought gave it a nice twist also the goats cheese fritters which we both loved had been taken off the menu i went for salt and pepper prawns which was terrible ,we both opted for crispy chilli chicken bowl with homemade dips and either chunky or skinny fries for mains this also was smaller portions than before and was overdone i just felt
Stevie M.
Dec 02, 2014
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I visited the Ava for a quick pint with a few friends before catching a train to Belfast on Saturday night, I wouldn't usually frequent the Ava but due to its proximity to the train station it seemed like the best bet for a swift one without risking missing my train and to be honest I wouldn't have wanted to stay any longer than I had to.
There was an almost toxic atmosphere in the Ava the evening I visited, 40 year old women were singing wildly out of tune to the music using any bar accessories they could lay their hands on as prop microphones and 'regulars' propped up the
There was an almost toxic atmosphere in the Ava the evening I visited, 40 year old women were singing wildly out of tune to the music using any bar accessories they could lay their hands on as prop microphones and 'regulars' propped up the
Magz G.
Sep 25, 2010
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The Ava is great! I popped in here for lunch one day and I must say I was highly impressed. I was greeted by the most pleasant hostess and waitresses I've encountered in quite some time and the restaurant reminded me or a really contemporary living room but on a massive scale with no TV. I was given two menu's to choose from and upon seeing the huge wine collection at the door I decided a glass of wine was a must! I got a glass of white and ordered the open prawn sandwich as I wasn't overly hungry. Now, when it arrived it was the biggest pile of prawns I have ever seen! And they
Robbie B.
Jul 19, 2010
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The restaurant here is part of a larger bar and off licence complex right near the bus station and I have never heard of anyone having a bad meal here. The pub can be a little bit rough at times and is definitely for the older crowd but it is what it is and you can get a decent enough pint.
The restaurant on the other hand I have found to be really, really good. Granted I have never really went more exotic than one of their homemade beef burgers and chips but I've always found it tasty and reasonably priced with wine and dine deals usually on.
The staff are really friendly and always helpful
The restaurant on the other hand I have found to be really, really good. Granted I have never really went more exotic than one of their homemade beef burgers and chips but I've always found it tasty and reasonably priced with wine and dine deals usually on.
The staff are really friendly and always helpful
