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Belfast Nightlife

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Belfast Nightlife

by kranstonakov

Reviews and photos of Belfast bars and nightclubs posted by real travelers and Belfast locals.

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Belfast Nightlife

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	Nightlife Tip Rating:

Updated By Catspjm on October 17, 2005

Belfast Page by Catspjm

One of my fav pics of all
time.

by Catspjm

Belfast has with out doubt one of the best nightlife cultures in the UK, with a great mix of bars, clubs, hotels and illegal drinking dens. The latter are probably best avoided as you are inclined to end up slightly dead, unless you are a member of the relevant crime gang. You will find it difficult not to relax and enjoy a night out in the town
Due to this relaxed atmosphere many celebrities are frequent visitors to Belfast’s hostelries. Like all cities, it’s just a question of knowing where to look.

Obviously this depends where you go. But as a general rule 'labels' work. Dress to impress would be the rule of thumb. Like many cities we are a 'label concious' society

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	The Crown: Sit down and enjoy a pint Tip Rating:

By Bilimari on September 16, 2005

Belfast Page by Bilimari

by Bilimari

This liquor saloon dates back to the 1880s, and is the only pub owned by the National Trust.

The outside is decorated with multi-colored tiles, and the interior features stained and painted glass, marbling and mosaics.
In addition to the counter and the tables, there are small rooms where you can drink and chat privately.

Casual

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Theme: Eating and Drinking

Address: Great Victoria Street, Belfast

Phone: +44 28 9024 9476

Directions: Great Victoria Steet, City Centre near the Europa Hotel

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	Crown Bar: Belfast's most famous pub Tip Rating:

Updated By St_Vincent on June 1, 2008

Belfast Page by St_Vincent

by St_Vincent, 1 more photos

Probably Belfast’s best known pub and one that is owned by the National Trust. The restored Victorian interior is so extravagantly ornate that it is almost overpowering. It has decorative mirrors, etched glass, mosaic flooring and an ornate ceiling. The bar runs along the left hand side as you enter and around the rest of the pub are ten separate booths/snugs lettered from A to J. Each of them are beautifully panelled with dark wood and opaque glass with a lockable door. It seems to be first come first served to occupy them but I did see some reserved signs on one of my visits. It can get very busy and I imagine it occasionally has the air of a freakish tourist attraction, certainly rarely a minute goes by without another flash from a camera capturing the magnificent décor. Despite this it’s a place that every pub lover should visit. They had three real ale hand pumps on when I was there, one of the few places in Belfast that serves good real ale.

Theme: Eating and Drinking

Address: 46 Great Victoria Street Belfast BT2 7BA

Phone: 028 9027 9901

Directions: City Centre across the road from Europa bus and rail station

Website: www.crownbar.com

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	The John Hewitt Bar: Poetry in Motion Tip Rating:

By St_Vincent on June 1, 2008

Belfast Page by St_Vincent

by St_Vincent

An unremarkable exterior but I highly recommend a visit. During the day it’s a place that prompts quiet contemplation and I made many notes for my Belfast VT page here over a couple of pints. Check out the small room to the right and have a look at the literary displays, some by the eponymous Belfast poet. There was an art exhibition on when I was there and they also have music and poetry readings. I heard it is owned and staffed by the Belfast Unemployment Office next door, not sure how true that is but it would certainly fit with Hewitt’s socialist ideals.

It was one of the few pubs in Belfast where I found real ale, there were two pumps, one with Hilden Ale and the other a nice Plain Stout from Dublin’s Maguire brewery. They also have an impressive bottled range and I spotted Sierra Nevada, St. Peters, Innis & Gunn and Fransiskaner. If I had to choose just one Belfast bar to spend an afternoon in it would be this one.

Theme: Eating and Drinking

Address: 51 Donegall Street Belfast BT1 2FH

Phone: 028 9023 3768

Website: www.thejohnhewitt.com

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	Whites Tavern: Go for the Craic Tip Rating:

By St_Vincent on June 15, 2008

Belfast Page by St_Vincent

by St_Vincent, 1 more photos

Whites Tavern is Belfast’s oldest pub dating back to 1630, as it proudly proclaims on it’s outside wall. It has a rather more modern exterior but whilst it might not look like Belfast’s oldest tavern I found it one of the friendliest with the famous Irish “craic“ well in evidence. An impromptu guitar session was going on outside on my first visit and a young lady insisted, despite my protestations, on buying my pint because she had jumped in front of me at the bar (I could drink all night for free in London on that basis). On my second visit it was quieter as it was during the afternoon but I got chatting to a guy about local pubs and Belfast in general and we could easily have ended up sharing a few beers if I hadn’t had other plans.

Theme: Eating and Drinking

Address: 2-4 Winecellar Entry, Belfast, BT1 1QN

Phone: 028 9024 3080

Directions: Difficult to find as, like many Belfast pubs, it is hidden down an alleyway. Go to where the High St and Bridge St meet and look for Winecellar Entry.

Website: www.whitestavern.co.uk

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	Bittles Bar: In a Bit of a Stew Tip Rating:

By St_Vincent on June 15, 2008

Belfast Page by St_Vincent

Strange shape

by St_Vincent,
2 more photos

Bittles is a traditional laid back Irish bar and on reflection one of my favourites in Belfast. It’s very small being at the tip of an iron shaped building but there’s plenty of character packed in. The landlord John was always buzzing around chatting to customers recommending beers and making sure everyone, locals and visitors alike, were OK. There is no cask ale but they do have a range of bottled beers including many from local breweries - try Molly’s Chocolate Stout or Headless Dog from the College Green Brewery. They also serve an excellent Irish Stew that is good value for money. The split level bar has an arty theme with paintings and drawings of famous Irishmen by local artists.

Theme: Eating and Drinking

Address: 103, Victoria St, Belfast, BT1 4PB

Phone: 028 9031 1088

Directions: Near the Victoria Square shopping centre

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	The Duke of York: A hidden gem Tip Rating:

By St_Vincent on June 15, 2008

Belfast Page by St_Vincent

by St_Vincent

The Duke of York wins hands down in the “how much brewing memorabilia you can display in a pub” competition. There are old photos, beer trays, mirrors, adverts and a plethora of old Guinness and Watney Red Barrel promotional material. There is so much that items are even fixed flat to the ceiling to make more room. It looks like the interior has had some recent work done although it still has an aged look with lots of wooden fixtures, exposed brickwork and flagstone floors. There’s a nice four person snug with closable doors at the back and they have a side room that is open at busy times plus an upstairs function room. The pub has a very attractive old looking exterior and is tucked away down one of Belfast’s oldest streets in the heart of what was once the newspaper district - now the Cathedral Quarter.

Theme: Eating and Drinking

Address: Commercial Court, Belfast, BT1 2NB

Phone: 028 9024 1062

Directions: A little difficult to find, Commercial Court runs between Donegall St and Henry St in the Cathedral Quarter. Very close to the John Hewitt (q.v.).

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	The Garrick Bar: Traditional modernism Tip Rating:

By kranstonakov on December 19, 2006

Belfast Page by kranstonakov

by kranstonakov

The Garrick is one of Belfasts most famous bars and when you have a pint here you never know who you might meet. Popular with local celebrities and bricklayers alike its a traditional pub with an unrivalled spirits menu and friendly staff. They have cool DJs on Thursday to Sunday and its a great place to chill out. they do food 12 - 9 everyday. Tell them Matty.C sent you and you will welcomed with open arms.

Whatever you want, just dont look like a tramp, oh and no football tops.

Theme: Eating and Drinking

Address: Chichester street

Directions: City Hall

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	White's Tavern, Belfast: Since 1630 Tip Rating:

By Bilimari on June 9, 2006

Belfast Page by Bilimari

by Bilimari

White's Tavern is said to be the oldest pub in Belfast, was founded in 1630 as a wine and spirit shop. Inside (the ground floor) looks like a very old pub with low ceiling, fire place, and thick wooden furniture. They serve pub meals during the day, too. As I ordered my first pint of Guinness and waiting for it to settle, local musicians started to play the traditional music in a corner.

Upstairs is however a bit different atmosphere with rock and pop music playing.

Casual