The best pubs Belfast

Hidden in a charming little alley decorated with benches and red flowers, the Duke of York is a typical institution of old Belfast! For the record, the leader of Sinn Féin, Gerry Adams, was once a barman there... The atmosphere is warm, but so popular that it is often difficult to find a free table in the evening on weekends... The interior decoration is deliciously traditional and gleaming. In addition to the many beers, there is a splendid selection of whiskies and good music.

Hidden in one of the famous entries, vestiges of old Belfast, this tavern exists since 1630 and claims to be the oldest in the capital of Northern Ireland. A terrace at the front allows you to stay outside when the sunny days are coming. The pub is extremely warm, dark and with low ceilings but with a good atmosphere carried by the music and the fire. The room upstairs is more kitsch. Traditional music almost every night. Also serves good Irish food.

Entirely dressed in black wood, warm with its fireplace and its collective games, the John Hewitt belongs to an association that defends the interests of the unemployed. The place is relaxed and informal, known for its painting or photography exhibitions and for its jazz, folk and traditional music concerts. The profits of the bar are entirely used for the benefit of people looking for work. It's a place like no other where you can enjoy a pint at the end of the day.

The area north of High Street was Belfast's oldest, but was almost entirely destroyed in the bombing raids of the Second World War. What remains between High Street and Ann Street, however, is a series of narrow alleys known as "Entries", home to some very old pubs such as The Morning Star in Pottinger's Entry, Henry's in Joy's Entry, and one of Belfast's oldest pubs White's Tavern, in Winecellar Entry. Entries were passageways most often used for trade.

This small, simple and warm pub is located in the northwest of the Cathedral Quarter, on the corner of a quiet street in the neighborhood. It is one of the iconic pubs of the city. Behind its green and white storefront, you can come and listen to the bands that play live every night of the week. There is also a beer garden to enjoy the outdoors, and it is also possible to accompany your beer with a pizza. It is really the ideal place to feel like you are stepping back in the Belfast of the 1980s.

Dirty Onion is one of the most famous terraces in Belfast, in the heart of the popular Cathedral Quarter. Its long tables fill up at the end of the day, especially when the weather is fine. The interior of the establishment, darker and typical of a large modern pub, gives a nice atmosphere to the place, especially during the live music sessions that take place every day. Upstairs, a restaurant specialized in chicken allows to eat before continuing the evening.

A genuine tavern atmosphere in this black and white pub, both inside and outside, located on a typical Belfast square. The place remained as the United Irishmen experienced in 1798 when they were preparing the insurrection… A clientele of people who used to live here, forming a friendly spirit of complicity that did not prevent the visitor from passing to feel welcome. Musicians often get their instruments ringing. One of the most authentic places in Belfast.

Laverys is a real institution in Belfast and you're bound to hear about it. It's located in the Queen's Quarter and attracts people from all over the world to come and have a bite to eat, a drink at the end of the day or to spend the whole evening there. It has always been run by the same family and includes 4 bars under the same roof as well as a beer garden, which completes the charm and diversity of the place. Each space has its own style, with a pool room and live or DJ concerts (folk, funk, reggae, electro, classical...).

This beautiful Victorian pub exudes all the charm of the old days. The black wooden ceiling is highlighted by a row of glass lanterns and the whole is complemented by elegant furniture and colonnades, as well as mirrors and arched openings... You can come here to enjoy a beer or a good traditional dish. At the end of the day, a formula allows you to have a dish and a pint at a reduced price. Traditional live music and DJ, usually on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Henry's is one of Belfast's most famous pubs, the first address that all Belfasters recommend for an authentic experience. Open since 1798, and named after Irish industrialist Henry Joy McCracken, it is located in one of Belfast's famous entries. It offers a wide range of cocktails, Guinness and a long list of whiskeys, including the most famous in the area, the Bushmills. Some evenings, bands will entertain your ears with traditional Irish music.

Granny Annie's Kitchen is a gourmet pub. It offers on-site and takeaway meals, but does not offer a delivery service. Granny Annie's is also renowned for its live music, with traditional and modern bands performing throughout the weekend. The pub offers seasonal cuisine prepared from fresh local produce, as well as an extensive wine list, classic and signature cocktails, and a selection of locally distilled gins and draught beers. The pub's atmosphere is unique, relaxed and eccentric.

The Fountain Lane is a lively pub where visitors can enjoy a meal on the premises. The pub does not offer takeaway or delivery services. On weekends, be sure to book ahead, as the locals have made it their HQ! On the menu: American cuisine (burgers, onion rings...) generously cooked with fresh produce, but also seafood chowder, the famous Irish fish soup, tasty meat and fish accompanied by seasonal vegetables or home fries. Great portions served in a warm atmosphere.