MEANWHILE, residents of Bangor, in north Co Down, are now able to happily avail of the refurbished Ava Off Licence, for many years one of the best independent off-licences in the North. The Hillen brothers have spent months doing up this complex of bars, but while the style of the wine shop has been transformed - it is now somewhat cavernous and Gothic, a warren of nooks and crannies lined with bottles - the discernment which has always characterised the shop is ever-present.
The selection of beers is terrific, the array of hard stuff daunting, and the wines present a good showing from the entire vinous world.
Just across Main Street, a clever little shop called The Cookstore will be able to sell you just about every implement for opening your bottle from the Ava, but there is also a lot more for sale in here. Good pottery, a choice selection of implements and lots of good cookware make for a tasteful place in which to fritter away your hard-earned in no time at all.