Bittles Bar, Belfast

Nestled in the heart of Belfast’s bustling Cathedral Quarter, Bittles Bar is a cherished local institution famed for its striking flat‑iron architecture. Housed in a crisp red‑brick warehouse built in 1868-originally a flour merchant’s premises-the building’s narrow, triangular shape is instantly recognizable and often compared to New York’s iconic Flatiron Building. Once known as “The Shakespeare,” the pub has welcomed theater‑going crowds since Victorian times, offering a cozy and intimate setting on the ground floor of its four‑storey home.

Step inside and you’re greeted by a snug, low‑ceilinged lounge that seats roughly two dozen guests, the walls adorned with portraits of Ireland’s literary giants-Beckett, Joyce, Yeats, Wilde-as well as sporting heroes and political figures. Amidst this cultural tableau, the bar showcases a rich selection of draught beers and an impressive array of whiskies, ranging from beloved Irish classics to rare finds. Guinness pours are a genuine point of pride-up to 700 pints a day, according to owner John Bittles-and the whiskey shelf attracts connoisseurs from near and far.

Bittles Bar doesn’t disguise its old‑school charm: soft drinks aren’t on the menu, nor are half‑pints-this is a place built for full‑pint aficionados with a taste for authenticity. Visitors praise its spirited atmosphere and colorful banter, with regulars and tourists mingling over a crisp pint or a warming dram. For a genuine Belfast experience-where history, culture, and conviviality meet-a visit to Bittles Bar is nothing short of essential.