7 of the Oldest and Best Belfast Pubs to Visit

Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, is home to a vibrant pub culture — and its historic watering holes are some of the best in the world. Whether you’re looking for a pint steeped in history or just want to sip Guinness somewhere unforgettable, this city delivers.

This article was written by fellow travel blogger Jamie from What’s Down That Street?, who’s explored the city’s most legendary pubs firsthand.

As a frequent visitor to Belfast, Jamie gravitates toward the older, traditional pubs over modern cocktail bars — the kind of places that have soul. Many of them — with roots stretching back centuries — are where you’ll find the oldest pubs in Belfast and experience what might just be the best Belfast pubs for history, character, and craic.

Below is a guide to some of the city’s most iconic and long-standing pubs, including tips on what to order, when to go, and what makes each one special.

Quick Takeaways

• 🍺 Looking for the oldest pubs in Belfast? White’s Tavern claims the title with a liquor license from 1630 — but McHugh’s and Kelly’s Cellars aren’t far behind.
• 🎶 Best for live music: The Dirty Onion and The Morning Star offer trad tunes in historic settings.
• 📸 Most Instagrammable pub: The Crown Liquor Saloon — a Victorian masterpiece protected by the National Trust.
• 🍽️ Where to eat: Most of these historic pubs serve Irish classics, but The Dirty Onion and The Morning Star have full menus.
• 🕰️ Best time to go: Visit midweek or early evening to avoid the weekend crowds.
• 🚶‍♂️ Want to pub crawl? Many of these spots are within walking distance in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter (see map below).

Map of the Best Belfast Pubs

Want to hit a few of these pubs in one night? Here’s a map to help you plan your perfect Belfast pub crawl – whether you’re after live music, Guinness, or just great vibes.

1. Crown Liquor Saloon 

• Hours:
  • Monday – Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 11 PM
  • Thursday – Saturday: 11:30 AM – until Midnight
  • Sunday: 12:30 PM – 11 PM
• Known for: Being Belfast’s most beautiful pub – it’s National Trust protected.
• Food available: Pub classics & good vegetarian options
• 📅 Founded: 1826 (renamed and renovated it in 1885)

It’s not often that you’ll find a pub listed as a must-visit destination in the tourist guidebooks. But the Crown Liquor Saloon is no ordinary pub. The Northern Irish tourist board calls it ‘one of the great bars in the world’ – and honestly, this isn’t much of an exaggeration.

Its look comes from the late 19th century, when it was refurbished to bring in rich customers visiting the Opera House across the street. The result is Victorian extravagance at its beautiful best. Mosaic floors, stained-glass windows, marble, and rich mahogany. Grab a Guinness, take a seat in one of the ten cozy wooden snugs (private booths with bell-buttons), and take in the architecture.

The Crown Liquor Saloon is arguably the most famous historic pub in Belfast, and certainly the most photographed. also This is Belfast’s most touristy bar, but it does fill up with locals in the evenings.

It can get very busy. Book ahead if you can – but make sure to be sat in the stunning main room downstairs, rather than the less atmospheric dining room upstairs. 

Quick Sip Summary

• Vibe: Ornate, historic, and full of old-world charm
• What to Order: A pint of Guinness or local cask ale
• Why We Love It: The historic snugs, National Trust status, and jaw-dropping interiors make it a must-visit Belfast pub
• Pro Tip: Book a booth downstairs early — upstairs lacks the charm

2. Kelly’s Cellars

• Hours:
  • Monday – Saturday: 11:30 AM – 1 AM
  • Sunday: 1 PM – 12:30 AM
• Known for: Its knick-knack-adorned interior and revolutionary history
• Food available: Some Irish stew until it runs out
• 📅 Founded: 1720

Many pubs on this list claim to be the oldest in Belfast. Kelly’s Cellars’ claim is one of the strongest — and at the very least, it has kept its history more alive than most. 

Built in the 1700s, its interior still feels like stepping into the past. Think low ceilings and archways, a vaulted bar, and knick-knacks everywhere. Best of all are its links to Irish history: the United Irishmen used to meet here in secret before the doomed 1798 rebellion.

The pub is very small, and can get pretty cramped on Friday and Saturday nights. If you can, visit on a nice evening and enjoy a pint in the square outside — it will often be lively, with live music.

Quick Sip Summary

• Vibe: Lively, lived-in, and steeped in revolutionary charm
• What to Order: A pint of Guinness or Smithwick’s, plus the Irish stew if it’s still available
• Why We Love It: One of the oldest pubs in Belfast with real historic ties and live music under the stars
• Pro Tip: Go early on weekends — or better yet, grab a seat outside for the best atmosphere

3. Duke of York

• Hours:
  • Monday – Saturday: 11:30 AM – 1 AM
  • Sunday: 1 PM – 9 PM
• Known for: Quirky old bar that spills out onto a mural-lined alley, becoming Belfast’s vibiest street on weekends
• Food available: No
• 📅 Founded: Early 1800s (rebuilt in the 1970s)

Duke of York is another of those ramshackle Belfast pubs that feels impossibly old. The walls (and ceilings!) are covered in vintage paraphernalia, all set in a gorgeous, dimly lit wooden interior. Although the pub is more than 200 years old, it had to be rebuilt in the 1970s after being bombed in an attack targeting the nearby High Court. Just to add to the folklore — Gerry Adams used to drink here.

But come on a weeknight evening, and the real star is the street itself. Located in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, the cobbled alley outside the Duke of York becomes one of the best spots in Belfast for live energy and local color. With vibrant murals lining the walls, crowds spill out to drink, chat, and soak up the city’s electric atmosphere. It’s an absolute must when in Belfast.

Quick Sip Summary

• Pro Tip: Visit on a weekend night to catch the alley at its most alive — it’s basically a pub street party
• Vibe: Eclectic, energetic, and effortlessly cool
• What to Order: Whatever keeps your hand free to mingle outside
• Why We Love It: Historic interiors and an alley that transforms into the ultimate Belfast hangout

4. The Dirty Onion – Whiskey Roots & Live Music Vibes

• Hours: 12PM – 1AM
• Known for: One of Belfast’s most popular bars for live music in an atmospheric setting
• Food available: Full Yardbird menu (rotisserie chicken, ribs, wings, sides); vegan options available
• 📅 Founded: Originally built in 1680 as a warehouse (It actually opened in 2013)

It’s now one of Belfast’s nightlife hotspots, especially known for its live music. While The Dirty Onion only opened in 2013, it’s housed in one of the city’s oldest commercial buildings — originally a merchant’s warehouse built in 1680, later repurposed as a bonded whiskey storehouse. So yeah, the building’s bones are older than most bars on this list. And it shows — in the best way.

Visit midweek in the afternoon and it feels like a laid-back, traditional pub with a sunny yard out back. But come weekend evenings? Expect queues, live music, and one of the best Belfast pub atmospheres — it turns into a rustic warehouse party with serious energy.

Quick Sip Summary

• Pro Tip: Go early on weekends if you want a good spot for the music — it gets packed!
• Vibe: Historic warehouse meets lively concert venue
• What to Order: A local whiskey or pint to sip during the show
• Why We Love It: Old bones, modern buzz, and some of Belfast’s best live music

5. White’s Tavern

• Hours:
  • Monday – Saturday: 12 PM – 1 AM
  • Sunday: 12 PM – Midnight
• Known for: A tucked-away ancient traditional tavern with an adjoining beer hall and garden
• Food available: Pub menu (e.g. Irish stew, fish and chips, burgers)
• 📅 Founded: 1630 (first liquor license granted)

White’s Tavern bills itself as the oldest pub in Belfast, with its first liquor license granted way back in 1630. It’s tucked away in a twisting alley in the city centre, and its interior is equally winding and narrow. Despite its central location, it feels a world away from the modern bars and chains nearby. It’s also home to one of Belfast’s best beer gardens.

In 2020, White’s expanded to include a brand-new Beer Hall — think excellent drinks selection, big screens, and more room to linger.

There’s some seriously cool history here too. Legend has it Henry Joy McCracken, leader of the United Irishmen, stopped here for a final drink before his hanging — supposedly coining the phrase ‘last chance saloon’. Over the centuries, the area around White’s has been bombed, demolished, and rebuilt. But somehow, White’s endured — and it’s still thriving today.

Most recently, even Bill and Hilary Clinton dropped by during a trip to Belfast.

Quick Sip Summary

• Vibe: Tucked-away historic charm with a modern twist
• What to Order: An Irish stout in the beer garden
• Why We Love It: It’s cozy, full of history, and feels like a well-kept Belfast secret
• Pro Tip: Check out the newer Beer Hall for a totally different feel

6. McHugh’s Bar & Restaurant

• Hours: Daily: 12 PM – 1 AM
• Known for: Belfast’s oldest building, original oak beams, spiral staircase, basement live music
• Food available: Traditional Irish dishes (e.g. Irish stew, boxty)
• 📅 Founded: 1711 (building dates back to the early 1700s)

Located on Queen’s Square near the River Lagan, McHugh’s is one of the oldest buildings in Belfast — and it still proudly holds onto its architectural roots. Oak beams, a hidden spiral staircase, and exposed stonework all hint at the pub’s long history.

The vibe is a bit simpler than some of the other historic pubs in Belfast, which makes it feel more authentic and relaxed. It’s a great daytime pub, but come evening, there’s often live music in the cozy basement bar.

And don’t sleep on the food — traditional Irish dishes like boxty potato pancakes are the perfect accompaniment to a pint.

Quick Sip Summary

• Vibe: Classic and unfussy with authentic Irish soul
• What to Order: A pint and boxty — simple and satisfying
• Why We Love It: It’s laid-back, low-key, and grounded in Belfast’s roots
• Pro Tip: Head to the basement for intimate live music sessions

7. The Morning Star

• Hours:
  • Monday – Thursday: 11 AM – Midnight
  • Friday – Saturday: 11 AM – 1 AM
  • Sunday: 11:30 AM – 11:30 PM
• Known for: Family-run since 1810, laid-back vibes, and traditional live music
• Food available: Full menu with farmhouse steaks and Sunday roasts
• 📅 Founded: 1810

Another gem in the Cathedral Quarter, The Morning Star is a local favorite — and one of the best Belfast pubs for that classic Irish hospitality. Proudly family-run since 1810, it’s got a lived-in, welcoming vibe that’s hard to fake.

Inside, it’s warm and relaxed, and you’ll often hear the sounds of traditional Irish tunes filling the room. The food is a highlight here too. Come on a Sunday and settle in with one of their hearty roasts or a perfectly cooked steak.

Quick Sip Summary

• Pro Tip: It’s especially great on weekends with live trad music
• Vibe: Friendly, warm, and family-run — the kind of place you linger
• What to Order: A Sunday roast or farmhouse steak
• Why We Love It: Feels like home, even if you’re just visiting

Belfast Pubs FAQs

What is the oldest pub in Belfast?
White’s Tavern claims the title of Belfast’s oldest pub, with a liquor license dating back to 1630. McHugh’s also makes a strong case as the oldest building housing a pub, with original structures from the early 1700s.

Which pub in Belfast is the most beautiful?
That honor goes to The Crown Liquor Saloon. Protected by the National Trust, it’s packed with Victorian details — stained-glass windows, mosaic floors, and carved wood snugs.

Are the historic pubs in Belfast touristy?
Some are, yes — especially Crown Liquor Saloon and Duke of York. But they’re popular for a reason and still loved by locals. Visit midweek or earlier in the day for a more laid-back vibe.

Can you eat at these pubs?
Most of the pubs on this list offer classic Irish fare — think Irish stew, boxty, and Sunday roasts. A few (like The Dirty Onion and The Morning Star) even have full food menus with great vegetarian and meat-forward options.

Which Belfast pubs are best for live music?
You can’t beat The Dirty Onion or The Morning Star for live traditional music in an atmospheric setting. McHugh’s often hosts live sets in its basement too.

Can I visit multiple pubs in one night?
Absolutely. Many of the best Belfast pubs are clustered in the Cathedral Quarter, making for the perfect pub crawl — historic vibes, great beer, and minimal walking.

Final Sips: Why Belfast’s Historic Pubs Are Worth It

From 1600s taverns with revolutionary backstories to modern-day bars built inside centuries-old warehouses, Belfast’s pub scene offers way more than just pints — it’s a living, boozy history tour. Whether you’re hunting for the oldest pub in Belfast, chasing live trad tunes, or just want to chat with locals over a Guinness, you’ll find something here that sticks with you.

If you love discovering local booze spots as much as we do, be sure to check out our other Ireland guides (coming soon!) — and if you’re headed to Belfast soon, save this post or share it with your travel crew.

If you’re heading to London next, we’ve got you covered there too. Don’t miss our roundup of the best pubs in Soho and London’s West End — more historic vibes, iconic boozers, and a few modern surprises.