National Forum

Pubs In Belfast City Centre

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Hello Fokes. I'm leaving the car at home and bringing the better half up on the train to Belfast this coming weekend. Could you tell me any good pubs to go to around Belfast City Centre? Thanking you in advance.

Ollie2 (Louth) - Posts: 1021 - 01/06/2021 06:57:11    2347257

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Check out Lonely Planet online. They're usually spot on with their reviews of places

Bon (Kildare) - Posts: 2259 - 01/06/2021 13:31:33    2347383

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Anywhere in the Cathederal quarter is good, the Duke of York is an excellent old style pub.

Green_Gold (Donegal) - Posts: 1905 - 01/06/2021 13:39:00    2347387

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Cheers Bon and Green and Gold.

Ollie2 (Louth) - Posts: 1021 - 01/06/2021 22:31:40    2347555

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Went to a nice traditional Irish pub up there with trad music couple of years ago.

Just googled and I think it was Maddens. Seems to be popular anyway with 700 reviews on google and almost 5 stars.

jonjon (Mayo) - Posts: 99 - 02/06/2021 02:32:41    2347577

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Actually just after having another look and think it was Kelly's Cellars.

jonjon (Mayo) - Posts: 99 - 02/06/2021 10:52:53    2347623

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I would recommend The Morning Star, Pottingers Entry for a good beer.

Byanthon (Tyrone) - Posts: 1792 - 02/06/2021 11:26:53    2347632

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Replying To jonjon:  "Actually just after having another look and think it was Kelly's Cellars."
Kellys Cellar is great, always has trad music as well, real old style pub and got great outdoor seating

Green_Gold (Donegal) - Posts: 1905 - 02/06/2021 11:43:06    2347648

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Kelly's is a dive. Atmospheric alright, but overrated. Toilets are a joke. Madden's is better IMO, and just around the corner from Kelly's.

Suas Sios (None) - Posts: 1558 - 02/06/2021 12:42:49    2347669

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Slightly out of the city centre the Errigle is a great bar (slightly pricey though), and beside that you've the Pavillion and Northern Lights. Closer in the city there are lots of options in Botanic and Cathedral area. Do be aware of price gouging. Lot of the bigger bars have increased their prices a lot post Covid. Have a look at them and you'll spot the ones trying to be upmarket and gouging. In the city I personally like Bittles, The Garrick, The Spaniard, and if you're looking for slightly touristy ones Robinsons and the Crown are always decent too with a mix of crowds.

Loughduff Lad (Cavan) - Posts: 2466 - 02/06/2021 12:51:22    2347673

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Would these pubs be showing live GAA games?

brisbane (Galway) - Posts: 675 - 02/06/2021 19:40:59    2347814

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Start of in the Duke of York then work your way along to Dirty Onion, then the Spaniard. Get a cocktail in the merchant if you're that way inclined. There are loads of bars right next to eachother it's a great night out.

Daith (Kildare) - Posts: 1172 - 03/06/2021 06:57:57    2347883

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Duke of york isn't open yet.

I recommend the sunflower, john hewitt, kelly's cellars, morning star and the garrick. I live in city centre and a lot of bars still aren't open. I would avoid dirty onion and thirsty goat as they are are total nothing bars with poor selection of drinks and very overpriced.

Enjoy your weekend

OGarmaile (Tyrone) - Posts: 248 - 03/06/2021 09:56:09    2347903

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Replying To brisbane:  "Would these pubs be showing live GAA games?"
You'd do well to find anywhere in town showing live gaa. Up the west would be best for that.

OGarmaile (Tyrone) - Posts: 248 - 03/06/2021 09:57:17    2347905

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Replying To OGarmaile:  "You'd do well to find anywhere in town showing live gaa. Up the west would be best for that."
You are right that there's more possibilities in the West of town but you can sometimes catch a game in the Hercules in castle street. If it's reopened.

Suas Sios (None) - Posts: 1558 - 03/06/2021 11:36:38    2347936

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Granny Annies

Wicklowman (Wicklow) - Posts: 1142 - 03/06/2021 17:14:39    2348033

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Maddens is a great spot, Bittles would be my choice for a nice quiet pint though.

Kelly's is always packed so I've never stayed longer than one pint in it.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13792 - 03/06/2021 17:59:59    2348048

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Replying To OGarmaile:  "You'd do well to find anywhere in town showing live gaa. Up the west would be best for that."
Why is that?

Obviously unionists/protestants (in general) aren't going to be watching GAA, but would there not be nationalist/catholic bars that would have it on in city centre? Or would they just avoid it to avoid any possible hassle?

Sorry if I'm coming across as ignorant!

jonjon (Mayo) - Posts: 99 - 03/06/2021 21:01:53    2348088

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Replying To jonjon:  "Why is that?

Obviously unionists/protestants (in general) aren't going to be watching GAA, but would there not be nationalist/catholic bars that would have it on in city centre? Or would they just avoid it to avoid any possible hassle?

Sorry if I'm coming across as ignorant!"
Belfast is a great town to go out in with fantastic bars, restaurants and hotels.
City centre bars are not political and generally stay away from showing any sport due to obvious reasons.
The city centre is very safe and welcomes all walks of life.
You can see games occasionally in the kitchen bar on the edge of victoria square.

ardmhacha (Armagh) - Posts: 172 - 03/06/2021 22:43:40    2348124

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Replying To jonjon:  "Why is that?

Obviously unionists/protestants (in general) aren't going to be watching GAA, but would there not be nationalist/catholic bars that would have it on in city centre? Or would they just avoid it to avoid any possible hassle?

Sorry if I'm coming across as ignorant!"
Yeah it's the hassle to be honest. Lots of places wouldn't put themselves forwards as sports bars anyway to just not have this issue. Some are even hesitant on football matches at times. I was in the Errigle one time when there was a North and Republic match on at the same time. Despite being packed, you could see a line down the middle of the pub as one half watched one screen, and the other half another while the atmosphere simmered between both. Barman said to me they'd never do it again as it could flare in a second. Most bars in Belfast don't even allow sports tops, never mind certain games. Rangers and Celtic are also out in a lot of places.

Loughduff Lad (Cavan) - Posts: 2466 - 04/06/2021 08:07:08    2348135

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