BULLITT
Belfast's newest hotel opens its doors.
It's been a busy week. After the out-on-a-school-night-Whiskey By the Fire-event at the Merchant and before adventures around the MAC at the weekend, we found ourselves at the launch of Beannchor Group's newest hotel, "Bullitt".
Named after the Steve McQueen movie of the same name - featuring probably the best car chase scene in movie history - Bullitt Belfast is a vibrant new concept that will provide a cool new space for people to work, play and stay in the heart of the city.
It's at this point we need to state for the record it wasn't us. We do not own a zebra print coat, grey wig and walking stick. Despite the rumours. :)
Confused? Between attending the launch party and posting this, news has been circulating Northern Ireland of a cat & mouse hunt nearly as notorious as that in the YouTube movie link above. Rather than a super-cool dude racing through the streets of Belfast however, word broke that on Sunday night Bullitt's ground floor artwork centerpiece was stolen by two old grannies! And to make things even more hilarious, not only was the artwork of Steve McQueen himself, but the OAP lady that carried the 6ft high canvas down the street happily tucked her walking stick under the arm to do so.
CCTV footage of the crime in action here. Thankfully, the artwork is now back safe in the hotel after the grannies were unable to fit it in their car. Lol.
So where is it again?
Entrance to the contemporary new hotel is via Church Lane - just down the street from the awesome Muriel's bar. We headed in through the Bullitt Courtyard and onwards into a lively ground floor space, featuring three bars as well as a 58-seater restaurant (Taylor and Clay) and an Espresso bar. Probably the coolest bar is Baltic (ha!) - being NI’s first ski-themed bar - which has it's own street entrance on the corner of Ann Street and Victoria Street (remember where the old Formula 1 shop use to be?).
Bullitt features 43 stylish bedrooms, with accommodation available in three options with double rooms ranging from compact to spacious. The hotel will host an eclectic events calendar and its versatile private events space called The Good Room will be an exciting new space for events in the city.
And what better way to have us remember the occasion, than by having themed models dotted about the show rooms. Oh, and a DJ in the bathroom. Obviously!
Really looking forward to seeing the bars and restaurant in action after this energetic opening night. Great to have another nightlife option in our capital city and further aid Northern Ireland's growing tourism appeal, as going by what the taxi drivers never stop saying , "you can never get a room in this city for love nor money". I know mate.
Some faces from launch night.
Plus a quick vid at the very bottom. Big thanks to the guys at MCE for having us - all pics that don't look like fuzzy iPhone pics, courtesy of Kelvin Boyes at Presseye.
