"A place where people can come and have wonderful food, a cup of coffee, a glass of wine, a bit of crack and a good time"

For a great day's craic, the ground floor Ava Bar can't be beaten. It features a central oval bar and superb large TV screens which ensure that every major sporting event is covered for the fans who want to enjoy the atmosphere in a typical Irish pub. Friendly staff provide the best "Black Stuff" in the town and their knowledge of the local scene in invaluable for visitors.

In 1944 the current owners Grandfather had just completed a sale of a pub in Belfast, the local papers had reported that he had received the highest ever recorded for a pub. His intentions were to but a pub in Bangor - The Ava.

The Ava was to sold at auction any all interested parties were invited to look around the establishment. To many of us this would mean the current owner smartly dressed to show and perspective buyers around, well no, this was back in the 1944 when they must have done things differently. When Mr Hillen arrived to look around with his wife and one of his sons he was presented with a man who appeared to have taken to his bed! Beside him were three bells ranging from a high pitched chime through to one much lower in resonance.

The bell worked in lieu of a telephone, when one was rung the staff knew food was required, another meant drink and on hearing the third they would present themselves to receive any instructions.

The Ava went to auction and again Grandfather Hillen made the headlines again for paying the most for any pub!

The name Ava, where did it come from?
India - The 4th Baron Dufferin lead a very distinguished life as a diplomat, one of his most remarkable achievements was the annexation of Burma after the Burmese War of 1885. On his resignation he received the title of Marquess of Dufferin and Ava.

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