Belfast

Belfast is Ulster's major city and the Capitol of both the Province and Northern Ireland. It's name comes from the Irish Béal Feirste, meaning mouth of the Farset, a local tributary of the larger Lagan, which runs through the city's heart

It was settled in 1613 and it's growth driven by the settlement of Scottish Presbyterians in the 17th Century.

The city is by far the biggest in Ulster and accounts for 1/7th of the entire population of Ulster, just within the city proper. Almost one third of everyone who lives in Ulster, lives within 20 mile radius of the city centre.

Belfast is a small walkable city and you could find yourself on the outskirts, walking in any direction within thirty minutes

Due to it's size we've split Belfast into 5 areas

North Belfast

North Belfast leaves the city centre along the Antrim and York Roads into a quadrant that retains the main hangover from the city's troubled 20th Century past. Almost a quarter of those killed during the 1969-1998 troubles lost their lives in this area and explains to some extent why so many peace walls here have actually been raised higher since the violence ended.

Cave Hill dominates this part of the city and its shape is believed to have inspired Jonathan Swift to write Gulliver's Travels, due to it resembling the face of a giant. The locals call this landscape Napoleon's nose.

Belfast Castle is the most famous landmark building of this part of the city, sitting on the edge of Cavehill Country Park its actually a late Victorian Country house and just the latest of several structures that have carried the name. It's open to the public and hosts weddings and functions.

Both the M2 Motorway and the railway runs through North Belfast, but unlike South Belfast, which is littered with stops every mile or so, a train leaving York Street doesn't stop anywhere else in the north of the city before reaching Whiteabbey.

North Belfast is the only part of the city that has it's own Football derby, played between the staunchly Unionist/Loyalist Crusaders and the equally staunchly Nationalist/Republican Cliftonville

Bullitt {Tetto}

40a Church Lane, Belfast, BT1 4QN

Tel: 028 9590 0600.....Info@bullitthotel.com

Website

Getting here from Belfast City Hall

550 metres - Chichester Street, Arthur Street, Ann Street

By Bus: Pottinger's Entry bus stop is 2 minutes away and serves many city services to the outskirts of the city

By Train: Lanyon Place is the closest of Belfast's three Railway Stations and connects to Grand Central, Bangor, Larne and Londonderry

Checklist

Parking: There is a Q Park on High Street with a pedestrian exit immediately across the street, but be prepared to be ripped off by the exorbitant parking charge. At least do a circuit of the city centre first and you might get lucky and secure a free on street parking space.

Establishment type: Hotel

Situation: Three sites in total. First, a paved courtyard with street tables, high wooden tables, metal chairs, stools and wall benches as well as standing shelves. Second is a 4th floor terrace of diner seating, Third is a 4th floor decked beer garden with garden chairs and tables

Features: Two Outdoor Bars {one each in the courtyard and garden, Music in all areas [often live in the courtyard}, Food in all areas {5 on scores on the doors} TV [on special occasions like Cup finals, Eurovision, Grand National in the courtyard].

Ambience: Courtyard fully enclosed by buildings and alleyway out to Castle Lane, Terrace overlooks the stret from the fourth floor, Garden does the same.

Sunshine: The height of the buildings around the courtyard mean no single spot gets sunshine all day. Sun worshippers may have to move as the sun does. The terrace only gets sun for a short time and drops into shade from early afternoon. The Garden gets the sun from late morning for most of the day.

Shade and showers: The courtyard has a permanent canopy area under glass so the sun still shines even if its raining while the main central part of the courtyard has a retractable cover for extra shade. Much as the sun worshippers have to move for the shine, those who like to stay out can also easily find protected areas. The terrace is in shade most of the time but, being on the fourth floor can get breezy. The garden - unsure.

Heating: Patio heaters along the walls in the courtyard and terrace. Garden unsure.

Designated Driver: Freedam on tap [only in the courtyard] as well as Guinness 0% but no 0% ciders. The Coffee dock is something the hotel prides itself on.

Entertainment: DJ sets every Friday and Saturday from 4pm-8pm followed by a yard party from 9pm 'til late. There are ticket only parties for occasions like the Cup Final and Eurovision. Although not part of the Lobby Courtyard, this hotel also has a roof garden {Tetto} which will be listed here independently and and interior cocktail bar, Rattlebag, which, although not featured on this site [it doesn't have an exterior] Must be noted for it being the only bar in Ulster listed among the 37 greatest bars in the World by the prestigious Pinnacle guide of 2025.

Specials: None advertised

Pub Quiz: None advertised

Open: Hotel - 24 hours. Lobby bar and Courtyard are open from 7am-1am every day.

Info date: 16th August 2025 - Note that three separate visits were made to this location and every time we were unable to get access to the garden. The first time it was closed, the second it was hosting a private function, the third it was supposed to be open but we were advised it wasn't ready.

Get out and about: This hotel also has a bar called Rattlebag, which is the only cocktail bar in Northern Ireland on the prestigious Pinnacle list of greatest cocktail bars in the world. Prices look steep at £14 but this bar prides itself on not serving drinks that are 90% slush, sugar and ice. You'll pay more than the average cocktail bar but get much better value and quality. Perfect nightcap spot when the sun goes down.

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Thirsty Goat

1 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LA

Tel: 028 9024 1415.....info@thethirstygoat.co.uk

Website

Getting here from Belfast City Hall

650 metres - via Donegal Place, Castle Place, High Street, Skipper Street

By Bus: There are city bus stops 2 minutes away at Transport House and Pottinger's Entry on High Street

By Train: Lanyon Place is a fifteen minute walk away and connects to Grand Central, Bangor, Larne and Londonderry

Checklist

Parking: Try for the small free car park at the bottom of the street near Cathedral Square. Failing that, do as we did and take your chances on the free on street parking. We got a space in Talbot Street on a Saturday lunchtime. Avoid the city centre car parks that charge as they cost a fortune and should be an absolute last resort.

Establishment type: Pub, Pool Hall and Beer Garden.

Situation: Enclosed paved Beer Garden with wooden tables and benches, beer barrels and stools and Secondary paved courtyard with barrels and stools and shelved standing

Features: Outdoor Bar, Live music stage, snack bar [main menu is only served inside - 4/5 score on the doors], Patio heaters at the shelved standing area

Ambience: Fully enclosed courtyard with stage at one end, walled off from the street at the entrance with door staff on duty. Secondary courtyard is open plan in Waring street with adjacent beer courts of two other venues alongside.

Sunshine: The main courtyard gets sunshine moving across it during the day but the secondary courtyard is actually the better place to go if sunshine is the main priority

Shade and showers: The main courtyard has a canopy and is primed for use as a night time entertainment venue as well as beer garden. The open courtyard has umbrellas for shade but ill equipped to handle a shower.

Heating: Patio heaters at the standing shelves in the secondary courtyard

Designated Driver: No 0% on tap. Just bottles of larger and cider. Full barista service

Entertainment: Beer garden is designed to be an entertainment venue with stage at one end. Live performances every night late.

Specials: Goat girls get togethers Monday to Friday 1-5pm with offers on cocktails. The former night club has been converted to a Pool Hall and offers student discounts and 50% off drinks promo on Tuesday evenings.

Pub Quiz: None advertised

Open: Open every day from mid-day to 2am weekends

Info date: 9th August 2025

Get out and about: You're in the Cathedral Quarter, the heart of Belfast nightlife. Don't be put off by the Stag and Hen Dos, or the awfully near derelict North Street nearby. This is the best place to meet locals and sample the atmosphere if you're a tourist in the evening. The whole area is a hive of great bars [and gardens] and restaurants.

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This image Courtesy: Belfast.co.uk

Two Taps

30-42 Waring Street, Cotton Court, Belfast, BT1 2ED

Tel: 028 9031 1414.....info@2taps-winebar.com

Website

Getting here from Belfast City Hall

700 metres - Walk ahead down Donegal Place into Royal Avenue, turn right into Rosemary Street and keep going to Waring Street.

By Bus: There are city bus stops 3 minutes away on foot in Bridge Street

By Train: Lanyon Place is a fifteen minute walk away and connects to Grand Central, Bangor, Larne and Londonderry

Checklist

Parking: Try for the small free car park at the bottom of the street near Cathedral Square, try for free on street parking if you can. We got parked for free on Rosemary Street, just a 1 minute walk away.

Establishment type: Wine Bar & Tapas {Celebrated 20 years in 2025}

Situation: Open plan courtyard with garden tables and chairs and barrel tables and stools

Features: Food [scores on the doors 5*], music, dog friendly, winter convertible space

Ambience: Open plan courtyard in two parts. A fully outdoor area looking onto Waring Street and other pubs and hotels. the second part is a convertible section that can be fully indoor in winter and has a retractable roof and removable sides to be made outdoor in summer.

Sunshine: The entire courtyard is in sunshine for most of the day

Shade and showers: The convertible courtyard offers no shade during the day if the roof and walls are removed but is an indoor space when fully converted for winter setting.

Heating: Patio heaters in the convertible space

Designated Driver: No 0% lager on tap. 0% Guiness and 330ml bottles. No 0% ciders of spirits. Full barista service

Entertainment: Nothing advertised at the time of visit {September} but did do a lot of promos in August

Specials: 10% student discount

Pub Quiz: None advertised

Open: Weds-Thu 12-8pm, Fri-Sat 12-late, Sun 1-late {latest food service 9.30pm Fri-Sat} {Closed Mon-Tue}

Info date: 6th September 2025

Get out and about: The Metropolitan Arts Centre {MAC} is less than 400 metres away and has a constantly changing programme of arts.

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This image Courtesy: Belfast Live

South Belfast

South Belfast is often regarded as being home to the more affluent areas of the city and largely spans off from the Lisburn and Ormeau Roads as you leave the City centre, while the M1 Motorway separates it from West Belfast

Lisburn Road is, perhaps a little sarcastically called the Rodeo Drive of Belfast with some high end boutiques dotted among the coffee shops and quirky shops. If you can get parked on it, it's well worth a walk.

The Kings Hall is a landmark building of the area, built in the 1896, it was primarily known for the annual Balmoral Show, which was staged there for over a Century. Depending on their age, it holds a lot of sentiment for locals. Up until the 1970s it was best known for the big Boxing nights it staged, Including World title fights of Rinty Monaghan. During the troubles it was the venue of choice for the few pop and rock acts brave enough to include Belfast on their UK or World tours. Most people aged 40-80 queued up outside the Hall at least once to see somebody perform. Throughout it's last four decades of use from the 1970s until its closure in 2012 it was also known for hosting the Ideal Home Exhibition and Funderland, the annual funfair held every October/November. Today it's a health retreat.

South Belfast is well served by public transport. The railway stops at Finaghy, Balmoral and Adelaide on the way to and from Belfast City Centre.

The Northern Ireland National Football team play at Windsor Park, which holds tours regularly. The venue is also home to Northern Ireland's most successful team, Linfield.

The Ulster Rugby team are based at Ravenhill in South Belfast. Their greatest honour was being crowned European Rugby Champions in 1998.

Doyen

829 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7GY

Tel: 028 9050 9950.....EMail

Website

Getting here from Belfast City Centre

4k - Along the Lisburn Road.

By Bus: To check the bus timetable search from bus stop Kings Hall - The route serves the city centre and also Lisburn, Crumlin, Knockmore, Portadown, Craigavon, Banbridge and Armagh.

By Train: Balmoral station is a 5 minute walk right next door to the pub on the Belfast to Portadown line. Note that not all trains on this line stop at Balmoral.

Checklist

Parking: The pub has it's own car park with 22 spaces. You could try Kingsbridge Medical or Balmoral Golf Clubs parking across the road but these may impose restrictions.

Establishment type: Gastro Pub, Formerly the King's Head until 2017.

Situation: Three paved areas, one covered with padded bench seating, one laid to picnic tables and one with garden tables and chairs, fourth area is concrete with garden tables.

Features: Music, Firepit, Menu is served outside {5 star score on the door}, no TV, heating or outdoor bar

Ambience: Mostly located in the front and side space private land of the building next to the car park and Lisburn Road. One section has been fenced off from the road for privacy.

Sunshine and shade: There is a pavilion area that's in permanent shade while remaining open to the rest of the garden. The Picnic tables all have umbrellas.

Sporadic showers: Make for the pavilion area but as mentioned, this also doesn't get much sunshine between the showers.

Heating: A firepit near the pavilion area.

Designated Driver: No 0% lager on tap, only Guinness 0% and bottles of lager and cider. Full barista coffee service.

Entertainment: Live music every Friday and Saturday evening.

Specials: Taco Tuesday, Kid eat free Wednesday, Curry club Thursday, Wine club Friday, 2 for 1 Cocktails Saturday evening

Pub Quiz: Speed quiz Thursdays 9pm, free to enter, prizes for five teams

Open: Tuesday-Sunday from Mid-day - closes 1am Friday/Saturday {Closed Mondays}. Food mid-day to 8pm daily {9pm Weds-Sat}

Info date: 21st July 2025

Get out and about: Musgrave park is a 6 minute walk away.

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Halt

The Former Europa Bus Station, 10 Glengall Street, Belfast, BT12 5DL

Tel: ???.....EMail???

Website

Getting here from Belfast City Centre

550m - Exit City Hall Gardens at the bus stops beside the cenotaph turn left onto Howard street and right into Great Victoria Street.

By Bus and train: Ironically the site was, until 2024, the major bus and train station for the city so is filled with signage of how to reach the new Grand Central station on foot, literally just about 200m away.

Checklist

Parking: As ever with Belfast we advocate avoiding the expensive car parks, of which there is one immediately above the location. We found free parking on College Square North, just 500m away.

Establishment type: Entertainment, Street Food, Music City space

Situation: Concourse of the old Bus station, laid to astroturf with barrels, stools and picnic tables

Features: A range of 8 different food vendors [all 5 on the door], music, dog friendly, family friendly, wheelchair accessible.

Ambience: Fully enclosed by the old bus station building and the street vendor containers.

Sunshine and shade: The location is west facing so sunshine can be at a bit of a premium at times but does hit the entire garden in the afternoon. Shade from the sun is provided by umbrellas at every barrel, while the open plan nature of the old concourse can make you feel outdoors even if inside the old terminal concourse.

Sporadic showers: The old bus platform canopy remains in place, putting the majority of the garden in shelter without blocking out the sun.

Heating: None

Designated Driver: No 0% lager on tap, only Guinness 0% and bottles of lager and cider. Full barista coffee service.

Entertainment: Advertised as a live music space but nothing specific advertised. Inside, the concourse has multiple big screen TVs for sport, though none outside.

Specials: 10% discount for students

Pub Quiz: None advertised

Open: Everyday 11:30am [12:30pm Sundays] to 11PM [no late licence and children need to vacate by 9pm]

Info date: 13th September 2025 - [If ever you needed proof that Ulster Beer gardens are used in all weathers, this was it. Our attendance was met with strong wind, heavy rain and even thunder, yet, dur to the canopy here and the enclosed nature of the area from wind, there were still plenty of people sitting outside in an almighty downpour.}

Get out and about: The Great Northern Mall is attached to Halt and, if anything, is better now than when it was a passageway for commuters through the old bus station. Worth a stroll through.

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Lock Keepers Inn*

*UNLICENSED

2 Lock Keepers Lane, Belfast BT8 7XP

Tel: 028 9064 0088.....EMail???

Website - None

Getting here from Belfast City Centre

6km - Follow A1, B23 and A55 to Instonian's Rugby and Cricket Club.

By Bus and train: The nearest [weekend] bus stop is at the Ramada Hotel, an eight minute walk away and is served by routes to Belfast, Edenderry & Lisburn. The nearest train station is Balmoral, 3km away, which serves all stations from Belfast to Portadown.

By Bike: Lock Keepers Inn is on the national cycle network route 9 - Lagan Valley Regional Park Towpath and is a recommended stop en route

Checklist

Parking: The closest parking is at Instonians Rugby and Cricket Club, which is just across the lock about 50 metres from the Inn, but it should be remembered their parking is primarily for the club. There is a car park down New Forge Lane that is a five minute walk through the park.

Establishment type: Unlicensed cafe

Situation: Tarmac and grass concourse with picnic benches and a picnic lawn

Features: Highly dog friendly with dog treats alongisde the food menu [5*], seat blankets, bike park

Ambience: In the middle of a country park area of outstanding natural beauty

Sunshine and shade: The entire area gets sunshine all day and offers no shade of any description

Sporadic showers: Run for cover, the main cafe is small and can't accommodate everybody sitting outside. In a shower, other than the partially sheltered bike park, there's no escape.

Heating: None. There are small blankets mainly for sitting on on the benches or for picnics on the lawn.

Designated Driver: NA: This location is unlicensed so no alcohol at all is served. The do teas, coffees, hot chocolate and soft drinks only.

Entertainment: The location is part of the Lock keepers cottage within Lagan Valley Regional Park so is aimed at cyclists, walkers, joggers and dog walkers. It isn't a pub so the entertainment is the enjoyment of the scenery.

Specials: None

Pub Quiz: NA

Open: Everyday 9am-4pm {4:30pm weekends]

Info date: 20th September 2025 - [Despite being quite cold, breezy and with sporadic showers, the outside area was full]

Get out and about: This location in itself is a rest stop on part of the Lagan Valley Regional Park and Lock Keepers Cottage site.

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This image Courtesy: Happy Cow

Gardens in or near Belfast. Got something to tell us about a Belfast Beer Garden?