Belfast boasts a lively nightlife, from historic pubs with great music to trendy rooftop cocktail bars and beer gardens. There is something for everyone to enjoy with all the craic.
We have compiled the ultimate guide to help you plan your next bar crawl. Here are nine of the best places in Belfast to plan your next hangout:
Duke of York
Located in the Cathedral area, this pub is popular among locals and tourists alike for a reason. It has a lively atmosphere, Guinness, and the largest selection of Irish whiskeys in Ireland. The traditional Belfast bar is special for being where the internationally acclaimed Northern Irish band Snow Patrol played their first gig in 1998. The pub, which has original mirrors and memorabilia, offers great live music and boasts outside seating.
Happy Christmas @doybelfast pic.twitter.com/3Ke8xBe3A6
— DukeofYorkBelfast (@doybelfast) December 24, 2022
Kelly’s Cellars
Kelly’s Cellars is the place to go if you are dying to have an authentic, old-fashioned Irish pub experience. With its whitewashed walls and old-fashioned decor, the pub offers simplicity and a warm welcome. The bar serves typical Irish beers and other strong spirits, such as Irish whiskey and gin (a new Irish speciality). On most evenings, visitors enjoy a concert of traditional Irish music.
https://twitter.com/kellyscellars/status/1486433305889329159
Maddens’ Bar
This Irish pub has everything you could want – tradition, warmth, Irish whiskey, live Irish music, and, of course, craic. It is the perfect place to relax over casual drinks with its traditional decor, wooden furnishing, bar stools, and old-school nooks. The pub offers sandwiches, ales, and some traditional Irish music bars in Belfast. With a rich array of premium Irish whiskeys to try, live sports, music, friendly staff, and welcoming locals, it’s a great place to visit.
— Maddens Bar Belfast (@MaddensBarBelfa) July 14, 2023
See Also: 5 Fun Things To Do In Northern Ireland
The National
Belfast’s biggest beer garden is a great space to relax and socialise with friends. Featuring a cocktail bar, nightclub, and café dining, the establishment offers paired-back cocktail menus, great food, and coffee. The cocktail bar on the first floor serves classic and more experimental Twisted Classic cocktails alongside premium spirits, beers, and impressive champagne. The nightclub on the upper two floors features live DJ entertainment from Thursday to Sunday, with access to the venue’s exclusive rooftop terrace via the third floor. Expect to hear everything from house, funk, disco, electro-swing, and R&B.
F R I D A Y – @NationalBelfast
+ LIVE MUSIC & BBQ from 6pm
+ 2 fully covered areas
CAFE / BAR / CLUB – 4 FLOORS / 6 BARS / 0 CHARGE pic.twitter.com/MgMFZX1IRR— The National Belfast (@NationalBelfast) July 21, 2017
Errigle Inn
This establishment stands out for having five bars, roof gardens, beer gardens, and live televised sporting games. Located on the outskirts of Belfast City Centre, the Inn is known for serving great food and drinks. It has over twenty beers on tap, including Guinness, Heineken, Becks, Carlsberg, Coors, as well as draught beer. The Inn is a great time, no matter the occasion.
https://twitter.com/ErrigleInn/status/1641795525061091332
Crown Liquor Saloon
Step into the most famous pub in Belfast. Formerly known as The Liquor Saloon in Great Victoria Street, the Saloon has a unique character due to its distinctive decor, which features burnished primrose yellow, red, and gold ceiling, mosaic tiles, brocaded walls, wood carving, ornate mirrors, colourful decorative windows, Balmoral Red granite topped altar bar, and ten differently-shaped cosy and elaborately carved wooden boxes, lettered from A to J. These drinking snugs have an antique bell system that alerts bar staff to the customer’s liquid needs. The Saloon offers an eclectic range of real ales and classic pub food.
Here's the stunning interior of @CrownBarBelfast owned by @nationaltrust and run by @Nicholsonspubs – a superb pub to celebrate Beer Day Northern Ireland in! #CheersToBeer pic.twitter.com/IIb64fOARa
— BeerDayBritain (@BeerDayBritain) May 30, 2023
The Perch
This modern and chic rooftop bar screams elegance with its sophisticated decor and extensive cocktail list. It is known for its highly skilled bartenders and great DJs. The bar offers bottomless pizza, prosecco, beer, live entertainment, and cocktail trees. The Perch also offers tailored packages to suit the diverse needs of its customers. It’s a great place to unwind and enjoy the gorgeous city views of Belfast.
https://twitter.com/perchbelfast/status/921730845538488320
The Dirty Onion
Located in one of Belfast’s oldest buildings, this must-visit spot offers the quintessential Irish pub experience. The establishment has traditional live music playing seven nights a week. Upstairs, you will find Yardbird – a free-range rotisserie chicken restaurant. Here, food is served with various sides, craft beers, and other drinks. With its relaxing atmosphere and impressive whiskey and ale selection, this is a perfect place to hang out with friends.
With a strong whiskey heritage and thriving atmosphere, @TheDirtyOnion is definitely worth a visit.
More: https://t.co/PB3oBBbZGl#Whiskey #WhiskeyNorthernIreland #NorthernIreland pic.twitter.com/vMChindtHa
— Whiskey Club NI (@WhiskeyClubNI) February 17, 2023
Rita’s Cocktail Bar
Rita’s Bar is located in The Linen Quarter of Belfast. It offers a carefully concocted cocktail menu and a variety of seasonal and pop-up cocktail menus. It also boasts an extensive selection of spirits and has something for every drink connoisseur.
https://twitter.com/RitasBelfast/status/939129629155188736
