Over the next few minutes we will be taking a deep dive into drinking at the best bars in Belfast. From a tall glass of beer and a shot of vodka to local drink specials and singing karaoke we are going to try and cover it all.
The best wine and cocktail bars near you will get the ball rolling. Once they have been discussed in full breweries and sports bars to watch the big game or maybe play some pool and throw some darts will get a shout out.
Contents
Those who want to get the party started right after work or just buy some cheaper drinks will learn about the best drink specials in your area next. After they are out of the way we will move on to bars with trivia, quiz, and/or game nights around town.
Bars for dancing, karaoke, and to listen to live music will wrap this all up. Be sure to check out our Belfast bar map that has every place we mention throughout the post pinned on it.
We have written many posts about drinking alcohol at UK bars in the past if you want to check them out.
Cocktail & Wine Bars
Many would agree that the best Belfast cocktail and wine bars are:
- Revolucion de Cuba at 25-39 Arthur St
- The Crown Liquor Saloon at 46 Great Victoria St
- The Dirty Onion & Yardbird at 3 Hill St
- Northern Lights at 451 Ormeau Rd
Revolucion de Cuba offers a variety of deals every Sunday through Friday between 5pm and 7pm including two churros and one sauce for just £2 or five churros and two sauces for £4. The Crown Liquor Saloon is one of the mightiest Victorian gin palaces in the city with a large whisky selection ranging from fruity to smokey, cask ale, British craft tipples, low or alcohol-free options, and global flavors. They present seasonal specialties and mouthwatering staples that are suitable for any appetite.
Whether it’s food, drink, or entertainment The Dirty Onion & Yardbird has it all and admission is free every night. Every day there is a performance with a strong emphasis on contemporary live bands and acoustic artists. The restaurant also transforms into a live music venue on Saturdays.
Northern Lights brings you a wide selection of imported and local bottled beers, several rotational taps, and all of the Galway Bay Brewery’s drinks. Their friendly staff is also ready to assist you in choosing the appropriate beverage.
Belfast Breweries & Sports Bars
You and your buddies will have a great time watching the big game at these local sports bars and breweries:
- The Morning Star at 17-19 Pottingers Entry
- The John Hewitt at 51 Donegall St
- Lavery’s at 12-18 Bradbury Pl
- The Harp Bar at 35 Hill St
- Robinsons Bar at 38-40 Great Victoria St
- The Garrick at 29 Chichester St
The Morning Star is one of the oldest award-winning pubs in your area delivering everything from a buffet lunch to the top-end gourmet beef club along with great cocktails from around the world. They are known for their locally sourced products, fresh fish, and seasonal veggies.
With over 20 screens, free entertainment, two roof terraces, a street-level beer garden, and a large pool room Lavery’s is one of the best sports bars near you. There’s also a comedy club that runs on Wednesday and Thursday.
You can taste a wide range of whiskeys, independent draught beers, crisps, dulse, and coffees while conversing with friends or others at The Harp Bar. They host live music every night on two floors featuring home-grown talent from the likes of Van Morrison.
Established in 1895 Robinsons Bar has something to suit everyone with five venues under one roof including the saloon, fibbers, bistro, pool loft, and lounge. While watching live sports you can have a freshly poured pint or a bite to eat.
Fibber Magee’s from our list of bars for dance, karaoke, and live music, Sweet Afton Bar & Kitchen from our happy hour bars list, or Ryan’s Bar, Pug Uglys, and The Errigle Inn from our bars with trivia, quiz, and game nights list also broadcast live sports.
Local Drink Specials
There are plenty of good bars with drink specials in your area and you can get great value if you time your visit properly:
- Sweet Afton Bar & Kitchen at 12 Brunswick St
- Bootleggers at 46 Church Ln
- The Northern Whig at 2-10 Bridge St
- The Cloth Ear at 35 Waring St
Sweet Afton Bar & Kitchen presents all major sports on their indoor screens as well as live music every Friday to Sunday. From 3pm to 7pm Sunday through Friday you can enjoy their drink specials with cheaper alcohol.
Enjoy authentic cocktails, local and American craft beers, and casual food from lunch to supper at Bootleggers. Visit them Sunday through Thursday from 9pm till late for drink specials in your area that include cocktails for only £6, tequila for £4, and more.
For a spectacular dining and drinking experience with a blend of amazing cuisine and specialty cocktails in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter head to The Northern Whig. You can get a £6 steak supplement Monday through Thursday from 4:30pm to 9pm or try a 3-course roast menu for only £20 on Sunday.
Don’t miss out on the cheaper drinks at Revolucion de Cuba from our cocktail and wine bar list or at Front Street Pub from our bars with trivia, quiz, and game nights list.
Trivia, Quiz & Game Nights
Check out this list of bars with trivia, quiz, and game nights near you:
- Ryan’s Bar at 116-118 Lisburn Rd
- Pug Uglys at 21 Bedford St
- The Errigle Inn at 312-320 Ormeau Rd
- Cuckoo at 149 Lisburn Rd
- Front Street Pub at 37 Front St
If you want to enjoy superb meals and great craic in a pleasant and casual atmosphere Ryan’s Bar is a terrific option. They host bar quiz games near you on weekends making it a popular hangout for both residents and students.
Delectable dishes, live music from local bands, comedy, quizzes, sports, and more are all available at Pug Uglys. They organize a weekly quiz night on Friday through Sunday at 5pm with a £1 entrance fee, amazing themes, and even better prizes.
Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, wedding, or corporate meeting The Errigle Inn can make it memorable by providing calm surroundings and professional service. Gigs, traditional sessions, quizzes, comedy nights, live sports, and other activities are available.
Cuckoo has a range of entertainment options ranging from pub quizzes to club nights and a private karaoke parlor that can seat up to fifteen people. They have a large variety of Jam Jar cocktails, shared refreshments, and mocktails to keep you going all night. Front Street Pub holds local bar trivia every Thursday night and you can take advantage of their daily discounts from 3:30pm to 5:30pm with $5 for a half dozen boneless buffalo wings or sweet potato fries.
Dance, Karaoke, & Live Music
Dance, listen to live music, or sing karaoke at these fun bars around town:
- Alibi at 23-31 Bradbury Pl
- Voodoo at 11A Fountain St
- Fibber Magee’s at 38-42 Great Victoria
Alibi specializes in cocktails, gins, and craft brews with excellent customer service. Their club is open from 7pm to 2am on Fridays and Saturdays showcasing some of the best local talent and guest DJ’s from the Marbella and Ibiza scenes.
Fibber Magee’s is one of the oldest and most well-known pubs for live Irish folk music in the region featuring terrific beer, fantastic Guinness, homely pub cuisine, live entertainment, and sports. They also provide a variety of clientele with high-quality, well-executed, and cost-effective catering services.
Revolucion de Cuba and The Dirty Onion & Yardbird from our cocktail and wine bar list, The Harp Bar from our list of best breweries and sports bars list, Sweet Afton Bar & Kitchen from our bars with drink specials list, and Pug Uglys, The Errigle Inn, and Cuckoo from our bars with trivia, quiz, and game nights list also have live music.
By the way we have also covered:
Have Fun Drinking At The Best Bars In Belfast
There are plenty of local wine and cocktail bars, breweries to watch sports at, places with good drink specials to save money, trivia, quiz, and game nights, as well as bars to listen to live music, dance, and sing karaoke near you. Hopefully we were able to fill you in on some valuable info that will make your next night out a little better.
Please use the comments to let us know if any spots have closed down or if any new cool places have opened up in your area so that we can keep our lists fresh. Now go have fun drinking at the best bars in Belfast.