Franklins Sports Bar — Restaurant in Belfast

I visited Franklin's Sports Bar on the Saturday between Christmas 2023 and New Year's (Sat 30th December), to meet a friend for a few games of darts and some drinks.

The bar staff were as friendly and helpful as ever.

My one-star review is for the chef who is based upstairs, in close proximity to the dart board.

Throughout the duration of our trip to the bar (approximately two hours), he was engaged in a fantastic routine of picking his nose continuously and then mixing flour, spices, etc., in bowls, with his unwashed hands. He did this while glued to his phone throughout, seemingly oblivious to his surroundings or to the fact that paying customers could actually see what he was doing.

Doing this while cooking at home would be grim enough. To do it when in a position of cooking for actual paying customers, is on another level.

As I walked downstairs to go to the bar, I felt sorry for the people I passed who were eating burgers, pizzas, etc., having presumably ordered their food on the assumption that basic standards of hygiene and decency were being followed.

It was one of the most disgusting sights I've seen in a hospitality setting. I'm leaving this review so that other people can make an informed decision when considering whether to order...

They don't take reservations - which is poor, especially, if you want to see a specific sporting event. Apparently, they do food, but there is indication if do on their webpage. When you call them your answered with appalling manners. Moronic is a good word to describe the service. That, to some extent, is not the serving staff's fault, but the management's fault. The management don't hire the right people, nor do they train them properly.

To add to the above, they had the sporting event on that we wanted, and with commentary. We wanted to have food. Kitchen did not open until 13:30. We pre-ordered - they took our money. When noticed it was late and asked about the food, we were told the chef had not turned up! No apologies, no offer of getting us food in, or a drink - nothing. Male toilets on one level were out of order. It is fault of the people who run The Perch, Sweet Afton, Henry's. They are all poorly run. If someone is reading this and they're into running bars, can you open a decent sports bar, where people can get something to eat and have...

A very bizarre place. It's almost like they don't want the business to succeed. Been here 4 times now, today bringing a group of people, and it will probably be my last.

Great screens, decent sound, decent seats, good drinks.

Awful food. FREEZING COLD - everyone had coats on! No crisps or nuts. Only two bar staff on. Toilets downstairs broken...again. Toilets upstairs - dryers didn't work. Female toilets downstairs, door broken.

Its been the same EVERYTIME.

I want to love this place so much but don't think I will be back.

UPDATE: May 2024 Gave it one last chance. Had a huge yellow box in the middle of the screen. "Something wrong with the projector. One of those things" the barman shrugged. Gf complained about no toilet roll in the women's toilets - 2 hours later, was the same. Every single table was sticky.

Ugh. Could be a great place but clearly needs a decent manager...