Updated on:November 18, 2024
by
Marise
Marise
Starting with Hilden Brewery in 1980, Northern Ireland’s craft beer scene has only grown, and so has its craft beer in Belfast. With names you may know, such as Bells, Whitewater, Boundary, and Bullhouse, or maybe you are yet to discover. Everyone knows that Belfast is bursting with top-quality bars, and so many now serve a few craft beers on the menu, but which bars are best to give you a good selection of craft beer? If you are looking for news on all things craft beer in Northern Ireland, you can check out the Twitter page Northern Ireland Craft Beer Places or read on it to find out which pubs in Belfast are the best places to be.
Table of Contents
What is Craft Beer?
Craft beer is quite a vague term, meaning any beer brewed with traditional methods, usually in smaller batches, and with an eye for quality and taste. Therefore, craft beer can include lager, stout, ale, IPAs, BPAs, and more.
What is the average price of a craft beer?
On average, you can expect to pay between £5 and £7 for a pint of craft beer in Belfast. If you want to save room for more, you can get smaller measures such as a third, two-thirds, or a half. Flights of smaller measures are also available in a few Belfast bars to give you a real tour of their offerings.
What bars in Belfast serve craft beer?
Bootleggers
Themed after a prohibition speakeasy, Bootleggers is a great place to lie low with a pint. In addition to their fantastic food offerings, Bootleggers offers craft beers in pints, tins, and bottles. They have offerings from Northern Ireland as well as places around the globe. We have a whole article on this quirky Belfast spot if you want to know more.
Location: 46 Church Ln, Belfast BT1 4QN
Opening Hours:
- Monday – 12 pm–1 am
- Tuesday – 12 pm–1 am
- Wednesday – 12 pm–1 am
- Thursday – 12 pm–1 am
- Friday – 12 pm–1 am
- Saturday – 12 pm–1 am
- Sunday – 1 pm–12 am
Boundary Brewing
If you want to drink some craft ale right where it’s made, you should check out the Boundary Brewing Taphouse. Theirs is the first taphouse in the country and is worth a visit. Boundary Brewing offers a wide range of beers in beautifully designed packaging. Their cans, decorated with painted artwork, contain a different art as they discover and make new and exciting beers. If you want some to take home, they also sell their beers online and in their taphouse.
Location: Port View Trade Centre, 310 Newtownards Rd, Belfast BT4 1HE
Opening Hours:
- Monday – 9 am–5 pm
- Tuesday – 9 am–5 pm
- Wednesday – 9 am–5 pm
- Thursday – 9 am–5 pm
- Friday – 9 am–5 pm
- Saturday – Closed
- Sunday – Closed
Bullhouse
Bullhouse is a craft beer company built on community and sustainability. They advocate for local causes such as Stormont’s new licensing bill, which helps alcohol producers in Northern Ireland. Using local ingredients, environmentally friendly methods, and a large quantity of Irish-grown malt, they bring exciting styles of beer you won’t see anywhere else. Bullhouse has an onsite taproom in East Belfast called Bullhouse East, where you can sit and enjoy a pint of their delicious creations. Want to take it home with you? Their in-house off-license will cater to all your carry-out needs.
Location: 442-446 Newtownards Rd, Belfast BT4 1HJ
Opening Hours:
- Monday – Closed
- Tuesday – 12–11 pm
- Wednesday – 12–11 pm
- Thursday – 12–11 pm
- Friday – 12 pm–12 am
- Saturday – 12 pm–12 am
- Sunday – 12–10 pm
Cloth Ear
Situated in the beautiful Merchant Hotel, the Cloth Ear is an upscale bar with Victorian style and a seasonal food selection. The Cloth Ear has its own house IPA, appropriately named The Cloth Ear IPA, and its craft beer menu changes regularly, taking time to showcase the selection offered by a Northern Ireland brewery.
Location: The Merchant Hotel, 16 Skipper St, Belfast BT1 2DZ
Opening Hours:
- Monday – 12 pm–12 am
- Tuesday – 12 pm–12 am
- Wednesday – 12 pm–12 am
- Thursday – 12 pm–1 am
- Friday – 12 pm–1 am
- Saturday – 12 pm–1 am
- Sunday – 12 pm–12 am
The Errigle Inn
The comfortable pub vibe at the Errigle Inn and plentiful outdoor seating make it a great place to enjoy some craft beer. The Errigle offers craft beer on tap, from cask, in bottles and tins, giving a good range of options. They also offer draught craft beers canned through their ‘Canister’ cans; these can be bought at the bar or purchased to take home from their off-license.
Location: 312-320 Ormeau Rd, Ormeau, Belfast BT7 2GE
Opening Hours:
- Monday – 12:30 pm–12 am
- Tuesday – 12:30 pm–12 am
- Wednesday – 12:30 pm–12 am
- Thursday – 12:30 pm–12 am
- Friday – 12:30 pm–1 am
- Saturday – 10 am–1 am
- Sunday – 10 am–12 am
Filthy McNasty’s
Whether you are in the main bar, the secret garden, or the gipsy lounge, Filthy McNasty’s will save you a seat and pour you a pint. Home to live music, a great atmosphere and some exciting chairs, you will surely enjoy your time in this quirky bar. They have craft beer offerings on tap, in bottles, and in tins, with drinks promotions and weekly specials to keep you coming back.
Location: 45 Dublin Rd, Belfast BT2 7HD
Opening Hours:
- Monday – 1 pm–1 am
- Tuesday – 1 pm–1 am
- Wednesday – 1 pm–1 am
- Thursday – 1 pm–1 am
- Friday – 1 pm–1 am
- Saturday – 1 pm–1 am
- Sunday – 2 pm–12 am
The National
If you are looking for a bar with an upscale industrial aesthetic that is as perfect for Instagram as it is for drinks and food, you could do worse than a trip to The National. Serving Belfast classics such as Maggie’s Leap on tap and other craft beers in bottle or tin. The National also offers a beautiful beer garden if you catch some good weather in Belfast (which is admittedly less likely than finding a good craft pint).
Location: 62 High St, Belfast BT1 2BE
Opening Times:
- Monday – 10 am–12 am.
- Tuesday – 10 am–12 am
- Wednesday – 10 am–12 am
- Thursday – 10 am–12 am
- Friday – 10 am–12 am
- Saturday – 10 am–12 am
- Sunday – 10 pm–12 am
Northern Lights
Looking for an extensive range of craft beers? This is your place, as they have 20 beers on tap at any given time, all craft, all the time. Owned by the Galway Bay Brewery, this industrial-style bar is filled with character and great food and drink. Get on all the Galway Bay Brewery classics and other craft beers, ales, and lagers from Northern Ireland and beyond. Check out their social media to see what is newest on tap, even if they have limited-time stock.
Location: 451 Ormeau Rd, Ormeau, Belfast BT7 3GQ
Opening Times:
- Monday – 12–11 pm
- Tuesday – 12–11 pm
- Wednesday – 12–11 pm
- Thursday – 12–11 pm
- Friday – 12 pm–1 am
- Saturday – 12 pm–1 am
- Sunday – 12–11 pm
Rita’s
This cosy and plush cocktail den in the centre of Belfast also offers a great selection of craft beers. Choose your bottle or tin and relax on velvet sofas, by a roaring fire, or in a high-backed armchair.
Location: 44 Franklin St, Belfast BT2 7GE
Opening Times:
- Monday – Closed
- Tuesday – Closed
- Wednesday – Closed
- Thursday – 5 pm–1 am
- Friday – 5 pm–1 am
- Saturday – 3 pm–1 am
- Sunday – 3–11 pm
The Sunflower Public House
The iconic Sunflower public house proudly serves the best local craft beers, ales, and ciders. The Sunflower is the perfect place for a friendly atmosphere and even great live music. They offer some interesting craft concoctions, such as ‘Beerocca,’ a multi-vitamin IPA inspired by the effervescent drink Berocca. Their Instagram page is a great place to spot new craft beers being sold there; you may even secure a limited edition beer sold there.
Location: 65 Union St, Belfast BT1 2JG
Opening Hours:
- Monday – 12 pm–12 am
- Tuesday – 12 pm–12 am
- Wednesday – 12 pm–12 am
- Thursday – 12 pm–1 am
- Friday – 12 pm–1 am
- Saturday – 12 pm–1 am
- Sunday – 1 pm–12 am
Woodworkers
Just one part of the tableau of areas that make up Lavery’s Bar, The Woodworkers is an industrial craft beer bar with screens filled with tasty beverages. You can pick a pint or third of a pint from their shifting menu of craft beers and ciders. Alternatively, pick up a flight board with between four and ten beers. The knowledgeable staff will also let you try before you buy if you opt for a pint, so you can be sure you’ll love your choice. Once you’ve got a round of pints in, you can enjoy food, music, and board games or head upstairs to the Pool Room for a game or two.
Location: 20-22 Bradbury Pl, Belfast BT7 1RS
Opening Hours:
- Monday – 12 pm–12 am
- Tuesday – 12 pm–12 am
- Wednesday – 12 pm–12 am
- Thursday – 12 pm–12 am
- Friday – 12 pm–12 am
- Saturday – 12 pm–1 am
- Sunday – 2 pm–12 am
Where to buy craft beer to take home?
All these bars are lovely, but what if you want something different, like a night at home with a takeaway and a carry-out? Belfast also has some great off-licenses, which will help you with that. Some of the bars in the list will also sell you a can or two.
The Vineyard
The Vineyard is a great place to start when looking for an extensive craft beer selection and any other beer, wine, or spirit you may want. They will even deliver it to your door. Their prices for cans and bottles range from £1.20 to £12.00, meaning there’s a beer for every budget. They also sell boxes in case you find a favourite. Check out their online store to have a look at their exciting range.
Location: 375-377 Ormeau Rd, Belfast BT7 3GP
Opening Hours:
- Monday – 9:30 am–10 pm
- Tuesday – 9:30 am–10 pm
- Wednesday – 9:30 am–10 pm
- Thursday – 9:30 am–10 pm
- Friday – 9:30 am–10 pm
- Saturday – 9:30 am–10 pm
- Sunday – 11:30 am–9 pm
The Crafty Vintner
The Crafty Vintner’s primary focus is wine, and its store has wine dispensing machines. However, it also offers a great selection of craft beer, which can be bought through click-and-collect, online, or in person. It also has its tasting rooms where you can relax and try craft beers and food.
Location: 707 Lisburn Rd, Belfast BT9 7GU
Opening Hours:
- Monday – 12–11 pm
- Tuesday – 12–11 pm
- Wednesday – 12–11 pm
- Thursday – 12–11 pm
- Friday – 12–11 pm
- Saturday – 10 am–11 pm
- Sunday – 12–8 pm
What is your favourite place to find craft beer in Belfast? Which do you is the best Northern Ireland brewery? Let us know in the comments below!
