12 of the Best Gin Bars in Belfast for the Perfect Serve

Updated On: April 23, 2024 by   Ciaran Connolly

Belfast is full of great gin and gin distitleries but what are the best gin bars in Belfast, where do you go to find the perfect serve for your gin in Belfast?

What is the perfect serve?

If you’re a gin lover I’m sure you know that most gins go great with the classic tonic and lime. However, every gin has a perfect blend of ingredients and mixer that make the gin shine in the best way. This is the perfect serve, and as more and more people come to drink gin more bars in Belfast are offering perfect serve menus for gin. So, where should you go in Belfast to experience a perfect gin serve? Read on to find out.

Which gin bars in Belfast serve the best gin?

• The Chelsea
• The Cloth Ear
• The Crown Bar
• The Doyen
• The John Hewitt
• Margot
• The Muddler’s Club
• Muriels Cafe Bar
• The National Grande Cafe
• Rita’s
• The Thirsty Goat
• Town Square

Read on to find out more about each of these Belfast bars providing you with the perfect gin serve!

The Chelsea

This luxurious gastropub has the perfect gin serves for you whether you are looking for a sophisticated night out or a relaxed Sunday brunch. Enjoy gins from Northern Ireland producers such as Copeland and Jawbox in a variety of flavours. Or try something from the global gin scene such as Malfy (from Italy), Gin Mare (from Spain), or even Roku Japanese Craft Gin (from Japan).

What gin do they serve at The Chelsea?:

Place: 346 Lisburn Rd, Belfast BT9 6GH

Opening Hours:

• Friday – 12pm–1am
• Saturday – 12pm–1am
• Sunday – 12–11pm
• Monday – 12–11pm
• Tuesday – 12–11pm
• Wednesday – 12pm–12am
• Thursday – 12pm–12am

The Cloth Ear

The Cloth Ear bar is part of Belfast’s luxurious Merchant Hotel and its stunning Victorian style interior and relaxed atmosphere will set the stage for a lovely gin drinking experience. As they state on their website The Cloth Ear wants to “reintroduce the gentle art of conversation” and what way than over a perfect gin serve? Enjoy Northern Ireland gin offerings from Boatyard, Echlinville, Shortcross and Jawbox. Or try a gin from England (Opihr, Plymouth, & Tanqueray) or Ireland (Glendalough or Method and Madness)

What gin do they serve at The Cloth Ear?

Place: The Merchant Hotel, 16 Skipper St, Belfast BT1 2DZ

Opening Hours:

• Monday – 12pm–12am
• Tuesday – 12pm–12am
• Wednesday – 12pm–12am
• Thursday – 12pm–1am
• Friday – 12pm–1am
• Saturday – 12pm–1am
• Sunday – 12pm–12am

The Crown Bar

One of Belfast’s most iconic bars is The Crown Bar, opened in the 1800’s they have been serving gin ever since. The Victorians loved gin and frequented lavishly decorated bars, called gin palaces, which specialized in the serving of gin which was served with tonic water as it was believed to have health benefits. Gin palaces like The Crown are a part of the UK’s drinking history, and as a grade A listed building with original features to enjoy The Crown is a great way to experience that history.

You won’t have to exchange your money for gin tokens like some Victorians but you can set up shop in a booth and enjoy some gin serves just like they did. Though, if you want to make sure you secure a booth, booking is advised.

Place: 46 Great Victoria St, Belfast.

Opening Hours:

• Monday – 11:30am–11:30pm
• Tuesday – 11:30am–11:30pm
• Wednesday – 11:30am–11:30pm
• Thursday – 11:30am–11:30pm
• Friday – 11:30am–12:30am
• Saturday – 11:30am–12:30am
• Sunday – 12:30–11:30pm

The Doyen

Looking Forward To Another Amazing Afternoon At The @NIGinFestival At The @TheDoyenBelfast The Gins, The Food, The Live Music & The Atmosphere Are All Absolutely Gin-Tastic #niginfest #NIGinFestival pic.twitter.com/OtqL03pHXb

— JawboxGerry (@JawboxGerry) May 27, 2018

This moody and modern bar is perfect to enjoy some gin serves if you are in the Lisburn Road area, including live sport on TV’s around the bar and live music on weekends. Enjoy some Northern Irish, English, Spanish, Italian, or Scottish gins with their varied menu including Hendricks and The Botanist Islay Dry Gin (from Scotland), Bathtub (from England), and Malfy (from Italy).

What gin do they serve at The Doyen?

Place: 829 Lisburn Rd, Belfast BT9 7GY

Opening Hours:

• Monday – Closed
• Tuesday – Closed
• Wednesday – 12–11pm
• Thursday – 12–11pm
• Friday – 12pm–1am
• Saturday – 12pm–1am
• Sunday – 12–10pm

The John Hewitt

This classic traditional Irish pub plays host to cosy atmosphere, great gin serves, and a great cause as it is owned by a Belfast charity (The Belfast Unemployed Resource Centre). Beyond just their great work for charity the John Hewitt prides itself on great gastropub food, drinks, including gin serves and craft beer and fantastic entertainment including live traditional Irish music. The John Hewitt was also the original home to Jawbox gin which was created by their previous bar manager Gerry White. Beyond Jawbox, they also serve gins from around the world such as Death’s Door (from the USA), Bulldog (from England), and Monkey 47 (from Germany).

What gin do they serve at The John Hewitt?

Place: 51 Donegall St, Belfast BT1 2FH

Opening Hours:

• Monday – 11:30am–1am
• Tuesday – 11:30am–1am
• Wednesday – 11:30am–1am
• Thursday – 11:30am–1am
• Friday – 11:30am–1am
• Saturday – 12pm–1am
• Sunday – 7am–12am

Margot

This Instagram worthy pub is ready to welcome you with plush chairs and a festoon lights to give a cosy atmosphere. Their menu includes a whole host of Northern Irish and Irish gins from Boatyard to Shortcross as well as tailored serves such as Ornabrak Single Malt Gin with lemon, a sprig of thyme, a chamomile tincture, all mixed with Schweppes Elderflower Tonic for a floral and light mix.

What gin do they serve at Margot?

Place: 18 Donegall Square E, Belfast BT1 5HE

Opening Hours:

• Monday – 12pm–1am
• Tuesday – 12pm–1am
• Wednesday – 12pm–1am
• Thursday – 12pm–1am
• Friday – 12pm–2am
• Saturday – 12pm–2am
• Sunday – 12pm–12am

The Muddlers Club

If an industrial style Michelin star restaurant is where you fancy drinking your perfect gin serve then The Muddlers Club is the place for you. Their relaxed atmosphere and gourmet food are sure to pair well. Home grown and local produce are very important to their restaurant and so you will find the best in Northern Irish gin served there in a crowd of approximately 30 gins to choose from.  

Place: 1 Warehouse Ln, Belfast BT1 2DX

Opening Hours:

• Monday – Closed
• Tuesday – Closed
• Wednesday – 5–9:30pm
• Thursday – 5–9:30pm
• Friday – 12:30–1pm, 5–9:30pm
• Saturday – 12:30–1pm, 5–9:30pm
• Sunday – Closed

Muriel’s Café Bar

You can’t talk about gin bars in Belfast without mentioning Muriel’s Café Bar, from its solid wood floors to the underwear hanging from the ceiling this place is packed full of gins.  Filled with funky patterns and velvet sofas Muriel’s has style and substance. They almost have too many gins to count, but while you are enjoying a perfect serve you could try!

Place: 12-14 Church Ln, Belfast BT1 4QN

Opening Hours:

• Monday – 12pm–1am
• Tuesday – 12pm–1am
• Wednesday – 12pm–1am
• Thursday – 12pm–1am
• Friday – 12pm–1am
• Saturday – 12pm–1am
• Sunday – 12pm–12am

The National Grande Café

If you fancy a bar with a beautiful industrial aesthetic, café food, and large beer garden The National will provide that and more! All three of their drink menus have two whole pages of gins that are all perfect serves.

What gin do they serve at The National Grande Cafe?      

Place: 62 High St, Belfast BT1 2BE

Opening Hours:

• Monday – 10am–12am
• Tuesday – 10am–12am
• Wednesday – 10am–12am
• Thursday – 10am–12am
• Friday – 10am–12am
• Saturday – 10am–12am
• Sunday – 10pm–12am

Rita’s

This cosy and plush cocktail den in the centre of Belfast is the perfect location for you to enjoy a perfect gin serve. Take your seat on a plush chair or sofa and enjoy the moody atmosphere of this aesthetically pleasing cocktail lounge. Just incase the person you bring with you isn’t Rita’s also offer craft beer and cocktails.

Place: 44 Franklin St, Belfast BT2 7GE

Opening Hours:

• Monday – Closed
• Tuesday – Closed
• Wednesday – Closed
• Thursday – 5pm–1am
• Friday – 5pm–1am
• Saturday – 3pm–1am
• Sunday – 3–11pm

The Thirsty Goat

The new kid on the block in Belfast’s cathedral quarter The Thirsty Goat has a warm and inviting atmosphere and even more importantly a great selection of gins and a few perfect serves. They have a selection of Northern Irish gin including Shortcross, Jawbox, and Copeland. They serve up Jawbox Pineapple & Ginger Gin or Jaw Box Rhubarb & Ginger Gin with Fresh Lime & Schweppes 1783 Golden Ginger Ale. Or if you fancy something different they also offer Shortcross Gin served with Fresh Orange, Mint & Schweppes Elderflower tonic.

What gin do they serve at The Thirsty Goat?

Place: 1 Hill St, Belfast BT1 2LA

Opening Hours:

• Friday – 12pm–1am
• Saturday – 12pm–1am
• Sunday – 12pm–12am
• Monday – 12pm–1am
• Tuesday – 12pm–1am
• Wednesday – 12pm–1am
• Thursday – 12pm–1am

Town Square

This vibey 300-seater pub in Belfast’s centre hosts coffee’s in the morning but by lunch time its gin hour with their selection of local and regional gins. They aim to create magic moments with people surrounded by friends and great craic in their casual bar. On the menu other than perfect gin serves is a selection of street food which will be the perfect pairing. They even have an alcohol free offering of Gordon’s 0.0% just in case that’s your thing!

What gin do they serve at Town Square? 

Place: 45 Botanic Ave, Belfast BT7 1HZ

Opening Hours:

• Monday – 8:30am–1am
• Tuesday – 8:30am–1am
• Wednesday – 8:30am–1am
• Thursday – 8:30am–1am
• Friday – 8:30am–1am
• Saturday – 9am–1am
• Sunday – 9am–12am

From The Chelsea to Town Square Belfast has a great selection of bar’s to get the perfect gin serve. If you want more Belfast bar suggestions check out our article on the best Belfast bars for craft beer, or where to catch a traditional Irish music session. Did you see your favorite gin bar on the list? Let us know in the comments below or share some more recommendations!

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