4 Best Nightlife in Northern Ireland

Colorful drawings of political, cultural, and social life hang on the walls of this triangular Victorian pub on the fringes of the Cathedral Quarter which claims to sell more pints of Guinness per square foot of floor space than any other pub in Ireland. The drawings are by talented local artist Joe O'Kane, a pub patron. From a selection of rotating taps, Bittles serves local craft brews such as Farmageddon cider, Hilden ales, and Beavertown IPA (a company founded by Logan Plant, the son of Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant). As well as premium Irish whiskeys, the bar also stocks a large range of craft gins, including Gunpowder from Drumshanbo in Leitrim, and two local ones, Shortcross, distilled at Crossgar in County Down and Echlinville Pot Still from the Ards Peninsula.

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

A noisy, modern pub, this bar jams on up-to-the-minute music. It can get a bit boisterous, so some may prefer a quiet snug (booth) across the road in the more serene Crown Liquor Saloon. Food is served from noon daily (Monday through Thursday until 8:30, weekends until 7).

A popular pub encompassing five venues under one roof, Robinsons draws a young crowd with folk music in its Fibber Magees bar on Sunday; pop in the redesigned Robinson's Lounge on weekends. Food is served daily from 12:30 to 4 pm and from 6 to 9 pm.