Top 10 Musical Pubs in Belfast

The two floors of this pub offer a mix of traditional and trendy pub atmospheres. Upstairs the small but hopping disco attracts an indie rock crowd and downstairs the cozy pub provides a great place to relax and enjoy a frothy pint. Its location on the cobbled Commercial Court is a little off the beaten track, but the Duke is worth the search.

This bar has recently opened after the historic old Kitchen Bar was demolished in 2004. The new location promises to pick up as the Victoria Square shopping district becomes more developed, but for now this revamping of an old standard is personal and less crowded, offering great pub food and ale to the sounds of live blue note, jazz and traditional folk music.

This family-run pub has established itself as a cutting-edge clubbing venue attracting world renowned talent in rock, folk, jazz and pop music, as well as hosting some of Europe’s best DJs. Having survived some damage from Ireland’s “Troubles” in the 1970s, the pub has a rich history and today provides minimalist, intimate atmosphere with its stained glass windows and wooden floors.

The labyrinth of bars that make up the Errigle Inn mix traditional pub atmosphere with more modern trends to provide entertainment for pub goers young and old. The Oak bar offers terrific 1930s ambience with its original furniture and Art Deco glasswork, while the Tom McGurran's bar and Arbele host live music events from local artists to visiting pros in the blues, country and folk genres. For sports fans, the Pinewood bar offers live sports coverage from rugby to soccer to racing.

Delicious food, intimate atmosphere and great Saturday night blues make this historic pub a perfect place to check out the local music scene and enjoy a pint of stout. One of the oldest pubs in Belfast, Kelly’s once opened into a quiet alley off Royal Avenue, but neighborhood changes have opened up the space so that the pub now sits on a square beside the bustling Castlecourt arcade.

With a trendy upstairs cocktail lounge hosting excellent hip-hop DJs on Saturday nights and a ground level traditional pub where you can grab a pint and watch a match on the big screen TV, this venue combines the old time flavor of the Irish pub with the edge of chic nightlife. Live bands playing traditional folk and jazz can be seen on Sundays and Thursdays.

Three floors of bars and restaurants in Belfast’s oldest building make up this hopping, trendy establishment. Built in 1711, the building has undergone major restoration and the result is an eye-catching atmosphere of 18th century oak trusses, an original spiral staircase and a beautiful façade. The bar itself is popular with the younger party crowd who come in throngs to enjoy live music on the weekends.

This intimate pub in the Sailorstown area of Belfast plays host to a variety of live entertainment, with traditional folk music, original bands and cover bands filling the roster. The whitewashed walls, heavy oak doors and cozy space give the pub a historic and friendly feel.

This traditional pub is a great place to raise a pint of Guinness and listen to regular first-rate sessions of Irish folk music. The atmosphere is cozy and close, with fishing nets and lobster pots lining the walls to give the place the feel of a small fishing community bar.

Dating back to 1751, Maddens is one of Belfast’s oldest pubs. Traditional Celtic music, played live in organized or improvised sessions, keeps the atmosphere lively and spontaneous. Lift a pint and enjoy the décor of musical instruments lining the walls or root for your favorite team as you watch a match on the big screen TVs.