Despite a long list of pubs in Belfast, only a handful features traditional live music. 

One of the best experiences while traveling through Ireland or Northern Ireland is sitting at a public house, admiring fiddlers and Uilleann pipers all night long. There’s something almost spiritual yet enormously fun, all the while, sipping on tasty Guinness. Here are some of the best pubs with live music in Belfast, for good trad and even better craic. 

 

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One of the most famous pubs in Belfast has to be The Duke of York, situated in the heart of Cathedral Quarter. There’s not a better place for multiple pints of beers, traditional live music and an amazingly good time. The bar itself is a beaut all on its own, adorned with rustic mirrors, hundreds and thousands of memorabilia hanging throughout its historic ceilings and walls. If you’re a whiskey fan, Duke of York also carries the largest selection of Irish whiskeys in the city. From Thursday through Sunday, there’s live music featuring either traditional, rock or acoustic sets. This is also where Northern Irish band, Snow Patrol, played its very first gig back in 1998.

Arguably the most beautiful and dazzling pub in Belfast is Crown Liquor Saloon – a Victorian gin palace owned by the National Trust. In 1885, it underwent extensive renovation. Today; intricate mosaic of tilework against mahogany seating and illuminating stained glass windows cast nostalgic ambiance of vintage beauty. The bar has been shown in various films and TV shows, including: Odd Man Out (1947,) and Divorcing Jack (1998.)

Built in 1711, McHugh’s Bar is a vibrant hotspot right on Queen’s Square known for traditional Irish music sessions especially on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Originally contructed as a private dwelling on the former Town Dock in 1711, it was transformed into a bar once the dock was demolished. With a spacious outdoor terrace and pints of Guinness endlessly flowing upon dark wooden tables, McHugh’s is authentically popular among locals and travelers.

Built in 1720, Kellys Cellars is one of the oldest pubs in Belfast and remains as a fan-favorite for traditional live music. With vaulted ceiling and a large outdoor seating area, here is a cozy place for a savory Irish Stew on certain nights. Its historic walls keep highly guarded secrets since the pub was the meeting place between United Irishmen and Henry Joy McCracken during the planning of 1798 Rising. For six nights a week, visitors can enjoy trad music. Get there early since the pub gets crowded!

Fiddles and Uilleann pipes around a crackling fireplace is the vibe at Fibber Magee, as it showcases traditional Irish music seven nights a week. In addition, a plethora of Titanic memorabilia upon wooden panels also signify the city’s imperative past, history buffs can browse through postcards and letters found from the heartbreaking wreckage. Fibbers gets busy later in the evening, so come early if you want to grab a seat.

Maddens boasts a colorful outdoor decor, embraced by a vivid Celtic-inspired mural emblematic of the bar’s melodic spirit and large pints of local brew. Every night, there’s trad and the Sunday session starts at 4 p.m. For over five decades, this fun pub has seen the likes of big timers to bands just starting out. Maddens encompasses two floors of good times, grab your pint downstairs, then head on upstairs to indulge in soulful live music.

5-minutes from Belfast Peace Wall is a small but delightful pub: Sunflower Public House. This neighborhood corner pub is one of the few in Belfast that are still standing today. Upon entry, there’s a cage above the door that derived from 1980s, for security reasons but no longer in use today. Every night of the week, there’s traditional live music, from folk to bluegrass. Especially on Wednesday night, Uilleann pippers put on an epic show.

Not too far from Belfast City Hall is The Garrick where live music starts on Wednesday evening from 9:30 p.m., then again on Friday from 5 p.m. and Sunday from 6 p.m. Started in 1870, The Garrick is also one of the oldest pubs in Belfast. Massive wooden bar and detailed lanterns relay to a rich history. Hungry for a hearty meal? Indulge in traditional pub food, such as: Coffey’s Pork & Leek Sausages, Smithwick’s Red Ale Battered Fish & Chips, and 28 Day Dry Aged 8oz Rump Steak…just to name a few.

Opened more recently in 2016, The Points still delivers an old-school charm via wooden tables, dark ceiling and numerous framed photos covering its walls. There’s live music every night of the week, captivating lively crowds that are ready to enjoy pints of beers (especially the Pour Your Own Pint of Guinness services,) and enchanting tunes. On Friday and Saturday evenings, there are even Irish dancers.