Bar review: The Brickyard, Nicosia

By Emily Millett Published on February 28, 2010

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Laid back sports bar The Brickyard

The Brickyard in Nicosia’s Engomi is a strange old place. With a general ambience that’s hard to put your finger on, the bar seems nonchalant about its non-descript atmosphere and this impression of casual indifference works to its advantage, giving the whole place a laid-back, ‘come wearing your tracksuit’ kind of vibe.

Claiming to be a sports bar, The Brickyard actually feels like it’s torn between slightly conflicting personalities. There are elements of the American-style saloon bar straight off a Hollywood set in the decor with wild west swinging doors and a pool table, while aspects of a traditional pub in English suburbia come through in addition to hints of rudimentary, laid-back, grill restaurant factors.

Big TVs and projector screens strategically located around the bar play most of the big football games and allow the place to justify its status as a sports bar. According to one customer, when a major match is on it’s hard to find an empty seat inside but luckily for those of us who are not interested in watching 22 men kicking around an inflatable leather ball for 90 minutes, on any other night of the week there is space aplenty and a choice of seating either at the bar, on the sofas or at the tables and chairs dotted around the bar.

The bar’s interior is decked out with wood, wooden stools, a wooden bar and wood panelling giving it a cosy if slightly un-atmospheric feel. There is no instant personality that shines through at The Brickyard but the place has a large pool table at the back and a selection of seating options that create a feeling of conviviality that keep regulars coming back for more.

All important in today’s smoke-free Cyprus, The Brickyard has a substantial outdoor area with mushroom heaters to keep all the fag-hags warm in the winter. One of the barmaids told me they had experienced a brief decrease in customers immediately following the ban but that they were trickling back thanks to the area outdoors providing the perfect place to meet, flirt and chat with fellow drinkers!

Slightly disappointingly on the night we visited the only music playing was coming from MTV on a big television screen behind the bar, which had the double whammy effect of both distracting clients from their table’s conversation and meaning that the music was limited to chart topping pop hits. However, on the up side, the bar does put on a bit more of a show on the weekends with Karaoke on Fridays and Salsa lessons on Saturdays as well as the occasional disco night and some weekends hosting DJs playing a selection of R and B, Reggae and Hip Hop beats.

The bar offers a selection of drinks ranging from the usual mainstays to international bottled beers. And for those who just fancy something to line the stomach while drinking there is a tempting food menu with a selection of burgers, salads, pastas and the likes.

Benefitting from its location just slightly removed from the hustle and bustle of downtown Nicosia, The Brickyard attracts a friendly and unpretentious crowd looking for a good time in a cosy, laid-back atmosphere.

The Brickyard

25 Evripidou Street, Engomi, Nicosia

When: lunchtime – 2:00 am

Contact: 22 593030