We study the flow over a cylinder placed between two parallel rigid walls using Large-eddy simulations and Particle Image Velocimetry. The Reynolds number based on the inflow velocity and diameter of the cylinder is 3750 corresponding to the subcritical regime with laminar separation. Three-dimensional visualization shows the presence of the horseshoe vortex system prior to the cylinder. The comparison of time-averaged velocity fields and fluctuations shows good agreement between simulations and experiments. Spectral analysis suggests the presence of low-frequency modulations of the recirculating bubble.