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A Belfast Pub Crawl Guide
Belfast has no shortage of pubs, bars, and clubs for the adventurous night out. From traditional Irish pubs to lively bars and clubs, there’s something for everyone here. To take full advantage of the city’s unique culture and amazing nightlife, here’s a guide to the best bars in Belfast.
The Perch Rooftop Bar and Restaurant
The Perch Rooftop Bar and Restaurant is one of Belfast’s most popular rooftop bars. Located in the city centre, it offers stunning 360-degree views of the city skyline, including landmarks such as the Albert Clock and the iconic Titanic building. It’s the perfect spot for both evening drinks and informal dining. The bar serves an impressive range of cocktails plus a selection of craft beers and ciders. There are also a range of snacks available, so there’s something to satisfy everyone’s taste buds. Open until late on Friday and Saturday nights, visitors can listen to a range of music as they enjoy the views of Belfast.
Personal Opinion: The incredible views of Belfast make The Perch Rooftop Bar and Restaurant a must-visit, especially on a warm summer night. The range of drinks on offer is also impressive.
Robinsons Bar
Robinsons Bar is an iconic fixture in Belfast. Established in the 19th century, the bar is popular for its traditional Irish atmosphere. Each evening, musicians gather in this family-managed establishment to play live Irish music. Visitors can sit back, enjoy a pint and soak up the atmosphere. Alongside the traditional Irish pubs, Robinsons takes pride in serving a range of craft ales, as well as its own original brew – True Man Ale. It’s a great place to go to immerse yourself in the culture and to interact with locals.
Personal Opinion: Robinsons bar is great for anyone interested in the traditional Irish pub atmosphere, with performers often quite willing to discuss and teach aspects of Irish folklore and music.
The Apartment
Located on Holywood Arches, The Apartment is a popular nightclub in Belfast. With 3 floors hosting an array of music styles such as indie/dancefloor anthems and R&B classics, club-goers are spoiled for choice. For those looking to really get the party started, The Apartment’s Champagne Bar is the perfect place to kick off their night. There’s also a huge outdoor area called The Garden, lined with plants and picnic benches that can be reserved for private parties and BBQs.
Personal Opinion: The Apartment provides something for everyone – from people looking to dance all night, to those who are just looking for a few drinks in the outdoor garden.
The National Bar
Located on Dublin Road, The National Bar has earned its reputation as one of the best late night music venues in Belfast. Offering live music seven days a week, this bar is always buzzing with the energy of enthusiastic locals. There’s a great selection of beers and ciders on tap as well as some classic cocktails like margaritas and mojitos that make it easy to unwind after a long day. In addition, The National Bar showcases visual art programmes throughout the year, providing an ideal spot for escaping into a realm of art and culture.
Personal Opinion: This is one of my favorite places to visit when in Belfast – it always feels like home amongst the friendly atmosphere, drinks on tap and nightly live music.
The Coppin’s Bar
The Coppin’s Bar is one of the oldest public houses in Belfast. Located close to the Botanic Gardens, it boasts a unique atmosphere with ornate Victorian decorations such as gold ceilings, carved woodwork, stained-glass windows and pianos. With a fully stocked bar including an extensive range of whiskeys, craft beers and real ales, Coppin’s offers a great selection of drinks for visitors to choose from. Not only that, but there’s also a restaurant serving pub classics such as fish and chips and burgers throughout the week.
Personal Opinion: I’m usually drawn in by its classic Victorian aesthetics – I love wandering around the bar admiring its od furniture and decor.
Filthy McNasty’s
For anyone looking for something a bit different on their pub crawl, Filthy McNasty’s is definitely worth checking out. This bar offers an eclectic mix of activities throughout the week including live bands, karaoke nights, games tournaments, movie screenings and drag shows. The bar also serves some great drinks, with different deals throughout the week including 2-for-1 pints on certain nights. Filthy McNasty’s is definitely one of the more unique bars in Belfast city centre – perfect for those looking to try something alternative.
Personal Opinion: Filthy McNasty’s offers something different compared to many bars in Belfast – its exciting mix of activities ranging from karaoke nights to drag shows makes it one of my favorite places to visit here.
Belfast is brimming with great bars offering an array of vibes whether you’re after an Irish-themed traditional pub experience or live music performances with plenty of craft beers and cocktails on offer – there’s sure to be something that suits your tastes. Hopefully this guide has given you some insight into what you can expect from many popular bars in Belfast – now you just have to grab your friends and get out there to explore!
