The best pubs in Belfast: 16 ranked (2026)

#1 Photo to come

The Duke of York

★ 4.7 (5,486)

7-11 Commercial Ct, BT1 2NB

Best for a memorabilia-packed bar on a cobbled Cathedral Quarter lane, where Snow Patrol played their first gig.

Live musicGood craicTraditional

Pint£ ?not checked yet

Hours —from Google

Crowd —typical times

Live music · Outside seats

Why it's here

“Don’t miss the plaque commemorating Snow Patrol’s first gig; the band performed here in 1998.”Condé Nast Traveller

On 5 of 7 lists (Condé Nast Traveller (#1), Two Scots Abroad, Discover Northern Ireland, The Irish Road Trip, Visit Belfast)
Recommended 7 times on Reddit
Google 4.7★ from 5,486 reviews
Score 14 = 2 × 5 lists + 4 Reddit

Full details Directions ↗

#2 Photo to come

Kelly's Cellars

★ 4.7 (6,197)

30-32 Bank St, BT1 1HL

Best for trad sessions under whitewashed arches, in a pub serving since 1720.

Live musicGood craicOld pubBeer garden

Pint£ ?not checked yet

Hours —from Google

Crowd —typical times

Live music · Outside seats · Food

Why it's here

“Kelly’s Cellars has been serving Belfast since 1720 and remains one of the city’s best-known traditional pubs.”Two Scots Abroad

On 4 of 7 lists (Condé Nast Traveller (#9), Two Scots Abroad, Discover Northern Ireland, The Irish Road Trip)
Recommended 4 times on Reddit
Google 4.7★ from 6,197 reviews
Score 12 = 2 × 4 lists + 4 Reddit

Full details Directions ↗

#3 Photo to come

The Sunflower

★ 4.7 (2,727)

65 Union St, BT1 2JG

Best for live music every night and pizza in the courtyard.

Beer gardenLive musicGood craic

Pint£ ?not checked yet

Hours —from Google

Crowd —typical times

Live music · Outside seats · Food · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“An inner courtyard serves pizza underneath a bright mural, and live musicians emerge with instruments each night.”Condé Nast Traveller

On 5 of 7 lists (Condé Nast Traveller (#3), Two Scots Abroad, Discover Northern Ireland, The Irish Road Trip, National Pub & Bar Awards 2026)
Recommended 7 times on Reddit, 2 against
Google 4.7★ from 2,727 reviews
Score 12 = 2 × 5 lists + 4 Reddit − 2

Full details Directions ↗

#4 Photo to come

The Crown Liquor Saloon

★ 4.4 (8,593)

County Antrim, 46 Great Victoria St, BT2 7BA

Best for Victorian snugs, stained glass and gas lighting.

Historic

Pint£ ?not checked yet

Hours —from Google

Crowd —typical times

Live music · Food · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“All too often dismissed as a tourist trap, The Crown Liquor Saloon is one to be disregarded at your peril.”Condé Nast Traveller

On 5 of 7 lists (Condé Nast Traveller (#11), Two Scots Abroad, Discover Northern Ireland, The Irish Road Trip, 2foodtrippers)
Recommended 2 times on Reddit
Google 4.4★ from 8,593 reviews
Score 12 = 2 × 5 lists + 2 Reddit

Full details Directions ↗

#5 Photo to come

The Garrick

★ 4.5 (2,827)

29 Chichester St, BT1 4JB

Best for trad music, sport and late opening near City Hall.

Live musicTraditionalGood craicFootball on

Pint£ ?not checked yet

Hours —from Google

Crowd —typical times

Live music · Sport on · Outside seats · Food · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“Serving pub grub and tipples, it attracts a jumbled crowd and remains open to the early hours – welcoming a steady stream of inner-city wanderers.”Condé Nast Traveller

On 3 of 7 lists (Condé Nast Traveller (#5), Two Scots Abroad, Visit Belfast)
Recommended 10 times on Reddit
Google 4.5★ from 2,827 reviews
Score 10 = 2 × 3 lists + 4 Reddit

Full details Directions ↗

#6 Photo to come

The Dirty Onion

★ 4.4 (5,888)

3 Hill St, BT1 2LA

Best for Irish music seven nights a week in a building from 1780.

Live musicBeer garden

Pint£ ?not checked yet

Hours —from Google

Crowd —typical times

Live music · Outside seats · Food · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“Located in a building dating back to 1780, The Dirty Onion is a thoroughly modern pub in the heart of the city’s Cathedral Quarter.”2foodtrippers

On 5 of 7 lists (Condé Nast Traveller (#7), Two Scots Abroad, Discover Northern Ireland, 2foodtrippers, Visit Belfast)
Recommended 2 times on Reddit, 2 against
Google 4.4★ from 5,888 reviews
Score 10 = 2 × 5 lists + 2 Reddit − 2

Full details Directions ↗

#7 Photo to come

White's Tavern

★ 4.5 (3,160)

2-4 Winecellar Entry, BT1 1QN

Best for oak beams and open fires in a tavern licensed in 1630.

Live musicOld pubOpen fireSunday roast

Pint£ ?not checked yet

Hours —from Google

Crowd —typical times

Live music · Sport on · Outside seats · Food · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“Awarded its Tavern license in 1630, White’s has spent the past centuries pouring pints, and even its alleyway (“Winecellar Entry”) takes its name from a legacy of alcohol merchants.”Condé Nast Traveller

On 3 of 7 lists (Condé Nast Traveller (#10), The Irish Road Trip, Visit Belfast)
Recommended 3 times on Reddit
Google 4.5★ from 3,160 reviews
Score 9 = 2 × 3 lists + 3 Reddit

Full details Directions ↗

#8 Photo to come

Bittles Bar

★ 4.3 (2,018)

70 Upper Church Ln, BT1 4QL

Best for Guinness and over 100 whiskies in a flatiron building.

SmallTraditional

Pint£ ?not checked yet

Hours —from Google

Crowd —typical times

Outside seats · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“Its ethos is refreshingly old-school: no food, no live music, just a focus on good drinks, good conversation and the unique character of one of Belfast's most iconic pubs.”Discover Northern Ireland

On 3 of 7 lists (Condé Nast Traveller (#2), Discover Northern Ireland, The Irish Road Trip)
Recommended 2 times on Reddit
Google 4.3★ from 2,018 reviews
Score 8 = 2 × 3 lists + 2 Reddit

Full details Directions ↗

#9 Photo to come

McHugh's

★ 4.4 (3,154)

29-31 Queen's Square, BT1 3FG

Best for trad music and Guinness in one of Belfast's oldest buildings.

Live musicOld pubGood craic

Pint£ ?not checked yet

Hours —from Google

Crowd —typical times

Live music · Sport on · Outside seats · Food

Why it's here

“A good spot for fans of trad music and Guinness, you’ll also find some of the best pub grub in Belfast at McHugh’s.”The Irish Road Trip

On 3 of 7 lists (Condé Nast Traveller (#6), Two Scots Abroad, The Irish Road Trip)
Recommended 1 time on Reddit
Google 4.4★ from 3,154 reviews
Score 7 = 2 × 3 lists + 1 Reddit

Full details Directions ↗

#10 Photo to come

The John Hewitt

★ 4.5 (1,630)

51 Donegall St, BT1 2FH

Best for real ale, local craft beer and trad sessions where you can still talk.

Live musicGood craicTraditional

Pint£ ?not checked yet

Hours —from Google

Crowd —typical times

Live music · Outside seats · Food · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“Come here for real ale, local beer, live music and a pub where conversation remains possible.”Two Scots Abroad

On 2 of 7 lists (Two Scots Abroad, Discover Northern Ireland)
Recommended 3 times on Reddit, 1 against
Google 4.5★ from 1,630 reviews
Score 6 = 2 × 2 lists + 3 Reddit − 1

Full details Directions ↗

#11 Photo to come

Madden's

★ 4.7 (1,751)

74 Berry St, BT1 1FJ

Best for trad sessions and a very good Guinness in an old-school Irish pub.

Live musicGood craicTraditional

Pint£ ?not checked yet

Hours —from Google

Crowd —typical times

Live music · Outside seats

Why it's here

“Arguably one of the best-known pubs in Belfast for traditional music sessions, Madden’s is also (in my opinion, anyway!) home to the best Guinness in Belfast.”The Irish Road Trip

On 1 of 7 lists (The Irish Road Trip)
Recommended 7 times on Reddit, 1 against
Google 4.7★ from 1,751 reviews
Score 5 = 2 × 1 lists + 4 Reddit − 1

Full details Directions ↗

#12 Photo to come

Lavery's

★ 4.4 (4,730)

12-18 Bradbury Pl, BT7 1RS

Best for pool, sport and a roof terrace for big groups.

Good craicLive music

Pint£ ?not checked yet

Hours —from Google

Crowd —typical times

Live music · Sport on · Outside seats · Food · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“Laverys is a large Belfast institution containing several bars and entertainment spaces.”Two Scots Abroad

On 1 of 7 lists (Two Scots Abroad)
Recommended 3 times on Reddit
Google 4.4★ from 4,730 reviews
Score 5 = 2 × 1 lists + 3 Reddit

Full details Directions ↗

#13 Photo to come

The Points

★ 4.4 (2,148)

44 Dublin Rd, BT2 7HN

Best for live music daily and Irish dancing at weekends.

Pint£ ?not checked yet

Hours —from Google

Crowd —typical times

Live music · Sport on · Outside seats · Food · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“Popular for its daily live music, the atmosphere becomes even livelier on Fridays and Saturdays, when Irish dancers perform.”Condé Nast Traveller

On 2 of 7 lists (Condé Nast Traveller (#4), Visit Belfast)
Recommended 1 time on Reddit
Google 4.4★ from 2,148 reviews
Score 5 = 2 × 2 lists + 1 Reddit

Full details Directions ↗

#14 Photo to come

The Haymarket

★ 4.5 (1,515)

84 Royal Ave, BT1 1DJ

Best for daytime drinking with a group in a big courtyard.

Good craicLive music

Pint£ ?not checked yet

Hours —from Google

Crowd —typical times

Live music · Sport on · Outside seats · Food

Why it's here

“This is one of the better Belfast options for groups and daytime drinking.”Two Scots Abroad

On 2 of 7 lists (Two Scots Abroad, National Pub & Bar Awards 2026)
Google 4.5★ from 1,515 reviews
Score 4 = 2 × 2 lists + 0 Reddit

Full details Directions ↗

#15 Photo to come

The Morning Star

★ 4.2 (3,874)

17-19 Pottinger's Entry, BT1 4DT

Best for seafood and pub classics in a Victorian pub off Pottinger's Entry.

Sunday roastGood craicLive music

Pint£ ?not checked yet

Hours —from Google

Crowd —typical times

Live music · Sport on · Outside seats · Food · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“Tucked into the historic Pottinger's Entry just a short walk away from City Hall and the Cathedral Quarter, it's also home to one of the city's most respected pub kitchens.”Discover Northern Ireland

On 1 of 7 lists (Discover Northern Ireland)
Recommended 2 times on Reddit
Google 4.2★ from 3,874 reviews
Score 4 = 2 × 1 lists + 2 Reddit

Full details Directions ↗

#16 Photo to come

The Harp Bar

★ 4.5 (3,396)

35 Hill St, BT1 2NB

Best for live music over two floors in the Cathedral Quarter.

Live musicGood craic

Pint£ ?not checked yet

Hours —from Google

Crowd —typical times

Live music

Why it's here

“The Harp Bar is a short walk from the Duke and is a strong choice when live music is the priority.”Two Scots Abroad

On 1 of 7 lists (Two Scots Abroad)
Recommended 2 times on Reddit, 3 against
Google 4.5★ from 3,396 reviews
Score 1 = 2 × 1 lists + 2 Reddit − 3

Full details Directions ↗

More ways to pick a pub in Belfast

Where this comes from

Each pub scores 2 for every published list or award that names it and 1 for every Reddit recommendation (up to 4), minus any Reddit comments against it. To get on the page a pub needs two lists, or one list and two Reddit recommendations, so one writer's favourite can't top it. Google rating only breaks ties. Every card shows its score and the sources behind it, and quotes are checked word for word against the page they came from.

Condé Nast Traveller guide · Sep 2026
Two Scots Abroad guide · Oct 2026
Discover Northern Ireland guide · May 2026
The Irish Road Trip guide · Jun 2025
National Pub & Bar Awards 2026 award · Apr 2026
2foodtrippers guide · Oct 2026
Visit Belfast guide · Feb 2026
r/Belfast Reddit · May 2025
r/northernireland Reddit · Nov 2025
r/northernireland Reddit · Jan 2026
r/Belfast Reddit · Nov 2025
r/northernireland Reddit · Mar 2025

We read Google's business data for 251 Belfast pubs on 26 Oct 2026, covering review topics, rating, hours, busy times and listed features. Nobody paid to be here. How we rank has the detail.

Hours, busy times and features come from Google and can change. Check with the pub before a special trip.