Best whiskey bars in Belfast

Located in the outskirts of the city in the leafy suburbs of South Belfast is one of the most loved Belfast pubs you will find. Established in 1620, Robert Stewart’s – or Bob Stewart’s as it’s commonly known – offers a traditional feel and a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Alongside its great pub grub food offerings, this bar, restaurant, and spirit grocer offers a wide range of gins, wines, and whiskeys to suit all tastes and desires. Open seven days a week, Bob Stewart’s welcomes diners and drinkers looking to enjoy some live music, good craic, and great drinks through its doors daily, making it one of the best whiskey bars the city has to offer.

Hidden away down Joy’s Entry, one of the famous narrow alleyways that add historic character and charm to Belfast City Centre, Henry’s is an old-school tavern complete with traditional furnishings and a cosy atmosphere. With an inviting selection of whiskeys, gins, and other spirits displayed behind the traditional wooden bar, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding what to drink here. First established in 1789 and operating as a licensed premises for over 100 years, this bar knows its stuff when it comes to drinks. Whether you’re looking for tasty pub grub, a great pint, a traditional Irish whiskey or some fantastic trad music, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for at Henry’s. You can even book in for a private whiskey tasting if you so desire!

Located on the edge of Belfast’s lively Cathedral Quarter, close to the city centre, The Northern Whig is a must-visit for great drinks, food and craic. With striking dark wood interiors, this bar has a traditional feel, offering a memorable dining and drinking experience to all who step through its doors. With a delightful menu of pub grub, experienced bartenders and a huge selection of whiskeys, beers and specialist cocktails, you can easily spend a whole day here without seeing the time go by. Blending luxury, comfort and glamour, all while offering a friendly and casual atmosphere, The Northern Whig is expert in welcoming Irish hospitality that make this bar an absolute must-visit while in the city.

Part of the iconic Duke of York pub, The Friend at Hand is a quaint brickwork off licence and museum about the history of distilling in Belfast. Offering perhaps the biggest selection of Irish whiskeys you have ever seen, this is a must for anyone looking for a traditional tipple in the city. While not exactly a bar where you can sit in and enjoy a drink, this spot offers a whiskey experience like none other, making it worth a mention on our list. Plus, if you do want to sit in for a sip of whiskey, you can head round the corner to its sister business, The Duke of York. Here, you will find a great selection of drinks and perhaps one of the most traditional Irish pub interiors Belfast has to offer.

Located at the heart of the Cathedral Quarter, the iconic Dirty Onion is one of the most popular bars in Belfast among people of all ages. As soon as you walk through the doors of this traditional pub, you will be greeted with a huge Jameson whiskey barrel sculpture in the centre of the beer garden, so you know you’re in for an unforgettable time if you’re a fan of Irish whiskey. A traditional Irish pub with a modern twist, expect exposed brick interiors, low lighting, live music, friendly Irish hospitality, a huge selection of drinks, and, of course, great craic. With over 10 varieties of Jameson and a 13 page menu dedicated to both Irish and global whiskey varieties, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing your next tipple. And, if you can’t decide what to go for, the friendly bartenders will be more than happy to explain any drinks to you.

Those who live or work in the vicinity of Cavehill will no doubt be familiar with this friendly local. But if you’re not acquainted, it’s well worth stopping by for some good food and drink. Some of the whiskeys you can sample include Yellow Spot 12yr Single Pot, Midleton Very Rare, Causeway Collection – 2011 Sauternes Single Malt and Hinch Small Batch.

If you don’t fancy your beverage neat, try it in one of the venue’s cocktails; a Whiskey Sour (Jameson Whiskey, shaken with lime juice, sugar syrup and egg white), or a Pinky Promise (Caribbean Bushmills, Limoncello, Raspberry Puree and Pineapple Juice topped with soda). And if you like to drink somewhere with lots going on, Ben Madigan’s has quizzes, sports fixtures on the big screen and seasonal events as part of the calendar. 

One street back from the waterfront, Bittles Bar offers a traditional atmosphere and a bar stocked with hundreds of whiskeys. The decor here is busy, like the boozers of old. With little round tables scattered with cardboard beer mats, stools and leather booths separated by dividers, chintzy pelmet curtains, a tiled floor, high ceilings and colourful stained glass above the bar.

Bittles has previously hosted the Whiskey and White Podcast. It was one of the first pubs in the North to supply the new 2019 bottles of Midleton Very Rare. And counts Belfast sporting star Paddy Gallagher among its patrons. Adding to its ultra-local credentials, the bar stocks the whole Dunville’s range and uses their barrels as outdoor seating come the summer months.

Want to sip your whisky on a rooftop that doubles as a speakeasy? Press the buzzer at Angel and Two Bibles to gain entry to the exclusive top floor, where you can take a seat on the covered terrace and drink the coolest cocktails in town. Working on a biblical theme, it divides its menu into two parts; Old Testament and New Testament, with corresponding drinks, many of which focus on moonshine.

This is a great place to discover different blends in a very unique combination. Try Angel and Two Bibles’ Old Fashioned, made with Bulleit Rye & Bourbon, Averna, bitters and demerara syrup; its Monkey WrencH prepared using Cacao Infused Roe & Co, Italian digestif, bitters and peanut butter syrup, or their take on a vintage Whiskey Sour with Bushmills Black Bush, lemon, maraschino, vegan foamer and angostura mist.

Want to sip your whisky on a rooftop that doubles as a speakeasy? Press the buzzer at Angel and Two Bibles to gain entry to the exclusive top floor, where you can take a seat on the covered terrace and drink the coolest cocktails in town. Working on a biblical theme, it divides its menu into two parts; Old Testament and New Testament, with corresponding drinks, many of which focus on moonshine.

This is a great place to discover different blends in a very unique combination. Try Angel and Two Bibles’ Old Fashioned, made with Bulleit Rye & Bourbon, Averna, bitters and demerara syrup; its Monkey WrencH prepared using Cacao Infused Roe & Co, Italian digestif, bitters and peanut butter syrup, or their take on a vintage Whiskey Sour with Bushmills Black Bush, lemon, maraschino, vegan foamer and angostura mist.

Home of the Belfast Whiskey Social 2023, the Europa Hotel has ever-increasing connections with the beverage and offers a charming, four-star environment in which to enjoy it. Take your dram with some fine cuisine at the Causerie Restaurant, to the sound of tinkling ivories in the Piano Lounge, or in the characterful Lobby Bar.

With five decades of history, this elegant hotel is a city landmark, so a great place to book if you’re entertaining friends, family or clients from elsewhere. After a meal and a few drams, you can stroll ten minutes to the Cathedral Quarter and join The Whiskey Walk, to find out more about the city’s connection with the mountain-dew. And if you plan to have more than a few, you can make a night of it with a stay in the hotel and a wholesome Irish breakfast come the morning.