You haven't truly experienced Northern Ireland's capital city until you've spent a night holed up in one of its legendary boozers. From traditional places with live Irish music to cosy haunts serving mouthwatering Sunday roasts, these venues promise a night to remember (or forget, depending on your Guinness intake). Check out our guide to the best Belfast pubs and let the shenanigans commence.
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When you need old Belfast pubs, this traditional boozer is somewhere to seek out. Owned by the National Trust, this beautifully preserved building offers the ultimate city centre sanctuary for a pint of Guinness and classic grub.
One of the most popular traditional Irish music bars, Maddens guarantees a night of toe-tapping fun. With friendly locals, plenty of craic and a healthy offering of ales, stouts and draught beers, its the ideal spot for a casual date night.
A quirky choice of the best pubs in Belfast city centre, Filthy McNasty's is a wonderland of mismatched furniture, vintage vinyl and eccentric artwork. Ideal for birthday celebrations, this place offers cocktail making masterclasses, authentic Italian pizzas and weekly open mic nights.
A traditional Irish pub in Belfast, Bittles Bar can be easily identified thanks to its iconic flat iron exterior. Dating back to the 19th century, the Musgrave Channel Road spot offers stellar service and a huge range of whiskeys.
A lovely pub, The Spaniard knows a thing or two about lively Friday night sessions in the Cathedral Quarter. The watering hole regularly plays host to local musicians, while also serving a mouthwatering selection of tapas dishes.
Looking for a charming pub in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter? The Northern Whig is one of our top picks. A sprawling venue with impressive high ceilings and quirky artwork, this place is known for its elevated menus and tasty cocktail selection.
A cosy pub, The John Hewitt Bar is buzzing every night on the week. Stop by during the day though to take advantage of the tasty lunch menu which includes chargrilled jerk chicken burgers, belly pork and Irish cheeseboards.
A popular pick of the best pubs in Belfast for live music, Sunflower Public House also boasts one of the greatest beer gardens, which houses an authentic wood-fired pizza oven. Feast on steaming slices whilst getting better acquainted with the huge selection of beer, wine and spirits.
One of the best pubs in Belfast for food, Fibber Magee's is a popular spot for traditional live Irish folk music, roaring open fires and Guinness aplenty. Spread over three floors, with a traditional saloon, popular bistro and relaxed pool loft, it's the perfect place to while away a day.
Laverys is one of the city's sports pubs, with a sprawling pool room, heated beer garden and HD TVs screening all the latest matches. And when the weekend rolls around? The historic boozer becomes a nightlife hotspot, with a 1200 capacity ballroom complete with sparkling disco ball.
A great place to choose out of the most famous pubs in Belfast, The Duke of York is a guaranteed winner. Nestled along a cobbled alleyway in the Half Bap area, this quirky bar is adorned with whiskey memorabilia, flickering candles and cosy lamps.
Part pub, part chicken restaurant, The Dirty Onion and Yardbird is a match made in heaven. With live entertainment seven nights a week, you'll be able to work up an appetite downstairs before sitting down for a feast of rotisserie chicken, ribs and sides. We're not drooling, you are.
