There's no shortage of unique places to drink in our city. Whether you're looking for an unusual date idea, a fun place to hang out with mates or you're planning a special occasion, this guide has all you need. From sultry cocktail dens to outlandish cabaret clubs, homely pubs to rooftop gems, these cool and quirky bars in Belfast are making sure you have a night out to remember.
Last edited by Marcus Sanigar
Last updated on 27th October 2025
Sitting pretty at the top of the Bullitt Hotel, Babel Rooftop Bar and Garden is the place for delish cocktails. Expect summer slushies and light bites to fill you up while you soak up the views and later get a wriggle on to regular live gigs and DJs.
For those quirky concoctions and vibrant interiors, head along to The Tipsy Bird & Brewers Yard on Ann Street. Enjoy exploring the extended cocktail menu, with sips from a Sour Bake made up of whiskey, whites, lemon and sugar to a sharing passionfruit margarita. Yum.
With animal-print accessories, artwork-adorned walls and rich, velvety booths, Rudi serves up a corner of quirk in the east of Donegall Square. Make your way down the stairs beneath Belfast's city streets for sipping cocktails and signature serves.
To give your night a little extra kick, order up a sharing shot board before making your way to the dancefloor for house DJs and plenty of space to bust a move.
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This plush red paradise is certainly one of the most romantic bars in Belfast. Join Bert's Jazz Bar for an evening and you'll revel in 1930s New York glamour, complete with live performances, handcrafted cocktails and a luxurious French-inspired bistro menu.
Bullhouse is a quirky craft beer bar found in the Eastside area of Belfast. With a community ethos underpinning everything, the venue serves signature IPAs and plant-based ales alongside local brews, biodynamic wines and spirits if you fancy switching things up a little.
Taking guests back to the 80s, Sunflower Public House is one of the best live music bars in Belfast. As for the entertainment? This place hosts bands on the regular and is known to throw pretty impressive summer parties in the beer garden.
Belfast's oldest family-owned bar also happens to be one of the most unusual bars in Belfast. Not only is this place home to Ireland's largest pool room, but they'll keep you coming back for the beer garden, comedy nights and a cracking food menu, with pints of Guinness coming in at just a fiver.
Union Street Bar promises some seriously cool and quirky nights out. One of the best Cathedral Quarter bars, it has a regular roster of quizzes, pride parties and the hilarious 'Cabargay'. Head on over to this LGBTQ+ staple and you'll experience unique events with an extensive collection of classic cocktails.
Hidden behind an 'adult' shopfront, Liquor XXX is a racy twist on the typical cocktail bar. This unique haunt is a must for anyone that loves South American-inspired sips and soundtracks, pairing rum, tequila, pisco and cachaça mixes with a lively atmosphere that's hard to beat.
One for those of you after a fun night out in Belfast, Franklins Sports Bar has a top floor gaming area complete with darts, beer pong and pool tables. There's also huge screens showing live sports, American bites and £2 beers during the week.
Town Square is one of the coolest cafés and bars in Belfast, ideal for anything from chilled out dates to weekend brunches. Catch some live music while tucking into plates of seafood chowder, pasta, tacos or avocado on toast with DIY s'mores and affogato to polish off the experience.
Combining a pub and rotisserie restaurant into one unique bar in Belfast, The Dirty Onion and Yardbird is one cool place for a night out. Swing by and catch entertainment every night of the week, washed down with a hefty choice of beer and whiskey alongside delicious chicken dinners.
Far from your average boozer, Santeria is one of the top bars in Belfast city centre dishing out peach margaritas, kiwi-infused sips and brandy-soaked hot toddies. Sure, you can get your hands on classic drinks, but if you're after something different then you've come to the right place.
Searching for the best sports bars? Ulster Sports Club is home to pool tables, live sports screenings and epic gigs. You could literally spend all day here, with craft beers and deep-fried bites before the night really kicks off.
Cabaret Supper Club is definitely up there with Belfast's quirkiest bars, for its jaw-dropping live entertainment alone. Settle in for a night of drinking and dining at this unique haunt, where burlesque, comedy, live music and aerial acrobatics reign supreme.
