15 Jaw-Dropping Belfast Bars That You Need To Visit

A step-by-step guide to your pub-crawl in Belfast.

1. Kelly's Cellars

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Claiming to be Belfast's oldest pub, Kelly's Cellars is popular among tourists and locals alike for its resolutely old-fashioned atmosphere. You're unlikely to get a speciality cocktail in this traditional hub, but you could be lucky enough to hear a tale or two from a fiddle player in the corner.

2. White's Tavern

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Packed with locals, White's Tavern gives customers a cosy, homely feel as they sip on their pints in front of an open fire. White's also crowns itself as Belfast's oldest public house. Why don't you decide for yourself which bar has the most elbow-wear.

3. Crown Liquor Saloon

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The Crown Liquor Saloon is one of Belfast's greatest landmarks, and the bar itself is a National Trust Heritage site. The interior is exquisite, from its mosaic tiled floors, stained-glass windows, altar-like bar and cosy snugs that were once used to accommodate the more reserved Victorian customers.

4. Café Vaudeville

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If regal is what you want, make your way to Café Vaudeville and immerse in Parisian-chic tapestries and their extensive champagne menu. The overall atmosphere in the bar is tantalising, it's like a scene from a Baz Luhrman movie. This cafe would rival those on Paris' left-bank.

5. The Bar @ The Merchant Hotel

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Technically a hotel, but it houses one of the best cocktail bars in Belfast. The Merchant has an affluent setting and beautiful interior to match its cocktail list of biblical proportions. The most expensive cocktail is £750; needless to say, I don't know what it's like.

6. The Spaniard

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Its cheap drinks, tasty tapas and eclectic EVERYTHING has won The Spaniard worldwide fame. Tucked away in the Cathedral Quarter this hidden-gem is the perfect spot for catching up with friends, and is even better for a date.

7. Duke Of York

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Also nestled in the winding cobbled streets on the Cathedral Quarter is this traditional Irish bar. Contrasting to the more fashionable bars that are popping up in the surrounding area, the Duke of York has character in spades.

8. The Dirty Onion

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Originally used as a spirits bonded warehouse pre-1720 (mainly holding barrels of Jameson) this iconic bar has kept its traditional look but given it a modern twist. There's an event taking place every night of the week and it is also home to a free range chicken rotisserie restaurant, The Yard Bird.

9. The Hudson

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Adorned with numerous knick-knacks across four rooms and three floors, The Hudson is swiftly becoming one of the cities most popular new bars. One of Belfast's only craft beer bars, The Hudson even has its own brew for those hops enthusiast to salivate over.

10. The Bar With No Name

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Rising from the ashes of Auntie Annie's, this bar is most popular among hipsters and trendy twenty-somethings. It offers cheap booze, a pub quiz every Monday night, and a gorgeous garden for people to sit in and watch the world go by. Ideal for students!

11. The Belfast Empire

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Beginning as a Victorian church, the Empire is both aesthetically and acoustically pleasing when it comes to watching gigs. However as bar it is equally as good. The drinks are reasonably priced and the barmen are more than happy to help those who are a little indecisive!

12. Love & Death Inc.

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Hip and intimate, this bar oozes imagination and enthusiasm. As they say themselves:

“We here at ‘love & death inc.’ encompass life - all walks, colours and creeds, there is no room for discrimination of any kind only the intolerance of ignorance, pretence and the folly of stubborn fools.”

13. The Filthy Quarter

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Frequented by loyal locals every day of the week, Filthy's is probably the most spoken name in the city. With four separate areas - Filthy McNasty's (the main attraction) The Secret Garden, The Gypsy Lounge and Filthy Chic - there's something for everyone in this iconic Belfast bar.

14. The National Grande Café

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The National is perfect at any time of the day. Actually, it's pretty damn perfect all year round; hosting barbecues and live music in their beer garden (the largest in the city) during the summer months, and gets cosier as the winter months creep in, making in the ideal venue for a cup of mulled wine after a hard day Christmas Shopping.

15. Lavery's

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Belfast's oldest family-run pub, Lavery's atmosphere and character has been created by the thousands who have crossed its threshold. Like Filthy's it remains a legend on the Belfast bar scene and shows little sign of bowing out. Not visiting for a pint or two would be doing yourself an injustice.