The Thousands

Update: Solas has closed. Mr Fox sits there now!

Imagine a bear fighting a crocodile. That’s my social conscience versus my desire to make a pun on Solas being a comfort in the misery that is trying to drink down the Cleveland end of Crown Street. A powerful, ultimately stupid battle. The name actually means ‘light’ in Irish and here’s the reasoning behind it: "we just liked the sound of it." Pretty honest, which is a better theme for this piece than the dirty pun was anyway.

I think there’s tacit acknowledgement that Crown Street is a shit place to drink. You’re either on the craft beers at Yulli’s or spilling stuff on yourself at the Gassie (admission: I love the latter), and wherever you are probably closes before midnight. Solas couldn’t avoid that last restriction, but at least it’s a welcoming place to get sippin’ on in the meantime. The small space has an aesthetic somewhere between Gallon and Pocket, with a loungier upstairs, and ditches cocktails in favour of a smart selection of wine and bottled beers. The menu is tapas, though they’ve at least made an attempt to avoid the ubiquitous staples.

There’s a general lack of affectation to the place, welcome in an area that ferments affectation. If it could stay open later (LOOKING AT YOU COUNCIL), it’d suit drinks post-dinner at Tabou or Sushi Suma or the like. Until then it’s not a bad launch pad.