7 Best Bars in University Area, Northern Ireland

Inside a deconsecrated church, the Music Hall has been one of the city's leading music venues for more than 30 years. Most nights are devoted to concerts from local groups and tribute acts, while stand-up comedy shows are usually on Tuesday—TV personality Patrick Kielty was a regular until he hit the big time in London.

On Friday and Saturday nights, Alibi comes alive upstairs for clubbers and local nighthawks. Downstairs, from 5 to 10 pm, the bar serves pizzas or chips while the prosecco flows on Friday.

Known as "the Bot" to its student clientele, the Botanic is a big, popular disco-pub which also serves bar food from 12--8.

Packed with affluent professionals determined to prove that life begins at 30, the Chelsea serves reasonably priced contemporary gastropub cuisine and has 100-plus wines on its list. There's live music on Friday and Saturday evening in the downstairs bar.

Down by the river south of the university, this bar and upstairs restaurant is at its best on summer evenings and during live music performances featuring acoustic guitar and classic rock on Friday or Saturday after 6 pm. Food is served until 9 pm. Spacious and light inside, it rarely gets too packed; if seating is limited, try the picnic tables and chairs on the wooden deck outside.

Moody black-and-white framed portraits of famous Irish novelists, poets, and playwrights such as Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw adorn the walls of this liquor lounge and taphouse, popular with students and visitors. Sip a glass of wine or beer and reflect on the words of Wilde, who said, "Alcohol, taken in sufficient quantities, may produce all the effects of drunkenness." Live bar entertainment features acoustic acts from Thursday to Sunday, while the huge Time nightclub on the first and second floors is open Friday and Saturday nights with music from local DJs.

Gin is top of the bill at Town Square, which offers a sparkling collection of cocktails. The local Jawbox gin is paired with ginger ale, lime, and coriander, while the Aviation cocktail comes with star anise, berries, and tonic—all alongside a range of rotating taps of beer and cider. Try the Irish Noir cocktail, made up of Black Bush, vermouth, toffee tincture, and Peychaud's bitters. As part of the restyle, a gin bar was added, as well as a connecting café and newly created space for concerts and wine tastings.