The best places for gin in Belfast

Kicking off our list of best places for gin in Belfast is Hendrix, a relatively new addition to Belfast’s dining scene. With a huge menu of wines and spirits, you’ll have an almost unrivalled selection of drinks to choose from here and if you’re a gin drinker, you’re in luck as they have 15 varieties of gin and gin liqueur including Jawbox, Malfy, Tanquerey, and Monkey 47. If you’re a fan of a little flavour with your gin and tonic, you can opt for Malfy Rose, Limone, or Blood Orange, Jawbox Rhubarb or Pineapple and Ginger, or a classic Gordon’s Pink Gin. We also highly recommend trying their Bramble cocktail with gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup, crème de mure, lemon slice, and a blackberry. A fruity flavourful delight that is the perfect accompaniment for your meal.

A speakeasy-style bar offering a wide range of classic and creative cocktails inspired by musical eras, Angel & Two Bibles is a great place to indulge in some delicious gin-based drinks while in the city. Located in the historic Brewery Quarter, Angel & Two Bibles is named after a historic bar that was housed in the area all the way back in 1739, paying homage to the city’s rich history. With beautiful interiors and a stunning rooftop terrace, this is the perfect place to relax and enjoy some drinks with friends. The Old Testament features a great range of classic cocktails with favourites including a classic 1900-style Gin Martini with Tanqueray No. Ten, Regal Rogue Lively White Vermouth, and lemon, all finished with olives or pickled onion.

They even have a ‘Gin Boom’ section on their menu paying homage to the gin surge of the 1910s with cocktails such as a French 75 with Tanqueray, lemon juice, grenadine, and prosecco, an Aviation with Tanqueray, lemon juice, violette, St~Germain, and vegan foamer, and of course a classic Negroni. If you want to experience something a little different, we highly recommend checking out their New Testament menu, which features creative drinks such as the Blue Moon with Bombay Sapphire Premier Cru, clarified lemon, elderflower, maraschino, and edible blue paint.

Home to three different venues under one roof – The Main Room, Jul’s Cocktail Bar, and The Upper House, dining at Shu is perfect for all occasions. Situated on the vibrant and bustling Lisburn Road in South Belfast, Shu is ideally located for catching up with friends. The food here is renowned as some of the very best in the city with a creative menu inspired by French, Mediterranean, and Oriental cuisines with a vast array of flavours to suit all tastes.

However, if it’s drinks you’re after, you certainly won’t be disappointed. Jul’s Cocktail Bar can be found in the venue’s basement and offers a relaxed late night vibe with a delicious range of creative cocktails to suit all tastes. Their dry and floral Reborn features gin, grapefruit, elderflower, rosemary, lemon, and tonic while their Manon’s Sour with gin, earl grey, orange, apricot, lemon, and bitters offers a fresh, fragrant, and zesty flavour.

For sublime sky-high sips, there’s nowhere better to visit than The Observatory at Grand Central Hotel in the heart of the city centre. Offering breathtaking views, epic cocktails, and top-class Irish hospitality, The Observatory is the perfect place to sip on a classic gin and tonic or indulge in a flavourful gin-based cocktail.

Menu favourites include the City Hall, which features gin, citrus, chambord, and butterfly tea, the Botanical Garden with Japanese Blossom Gin, raspberry, lemon, pineapple, and cherry perfume, and the Gas Works with Pinot Grigio Gin, orgeat, lemon, and port. They offer a huge selection of local and international gins and gin liqueurs so you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to fantastic gin-based drinks to suit all tastes. So, sit back, relax, take in the views, and sip on a fragrant and flavourful gin cocktail.

Closing out our list of top spots for gin in Belfast is the local favourite Sweet Afton, which is located in the heart of the city centre. With a quirky and vibrant atmosphere and a friendly local vibe, this is the perfect place to catch up with friends over a few cocktails. If you’re in the mood for gin, you can opt for classic favourites such as their Bramble with Tanqueray, crème de mure, fresh lime, and sugar, a Gin Martini served how you like it, or a Sloe Gin Fizz with sloe gin, fresh lemon, whites, sugar, and soda.

With exposed brick and plush sofa seats, this is the perfect place to sit back and relax, chat with friends, and enjoy some incredible cocktails. Happy Hour takes place from Sunday to Thursday from 4 pm to 7 pm, during which time cocktails come in at just £7.50, so why not treat yourself to a few? What more could you want?