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    Bootleggers

    4.2 (59 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 1:00 AM (Next day)

    Bootleggers Photos

    BOOTLEGGERS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Live music
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Bootleggers

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    Reviews With Photos

    D'Anthony F.

    When I stumbled upon this place, I was... in need of food. I did not expect to walk into such a unique atmosphere. This review doesn't project the amount of awesomeness this place has. The service was great. The food was even better. What more can you ask for?

    Parful Fries
    Shane W.

    Everything we got here was packed with flavor. The Chip Shop Hero burger is a wild combination that weirdly works, although it's tough to get through in a sitting. The Grilled Halloumi Tacos taste like yummy little gyros.

    Kendoll C.

    This place is a solid 5. Admittedly chosen after a full day of Pub Crawling, we ordered way too many burgers and tacos because everything sounded pretty good. So happy with our choices because this was some of the best food we had in our entire trip. Even 'just burgers and fries' they offered unique toppings, as well as offering some unique craft beers in bottles-we hadn't seen on any tap list. I ordered the Black Pudding Burger-which was the best meal on my trip. The burger was massive and stacked with juicy, bold flavor toppings. I also had the side salad, which was zestier than I expected. My hubby ordered the Champion BBQ burger, also super juicy, stacked high with toppings. Friends ordered one of each taco, and each was better than the last bite-making it hard to pick a favorite. I wish I could have gotten another burger on another night, it's worth it! Service was really good too. We had a friendly waitress, who checked in on us often :)

    Rhubarbarian Cocktail
    Ciara S.

    I visited Bootleggers on Thursday 9 June and enjoyed it immensely. Service, food, ambience and drinks were very, very good. I opted for a Falafel Vegi Burger, French Fries and aioli. French Fries were good but a bit soggy however the burger was delicious with great flavours of spiced chickpea, pistachios, peppers, cheese, lettuce, tomato and ranch sauce. One of the best veggie burgers I've had in a long time. Additionally I had a Rhubarbarian Cocktail which was tangy and a tasty pint of Hoegaarden. There are a couple of Vegetarian burger options, nachos, tacos and sides. Though it's a shame such items aren't clearly marked on the menu with a V to avoid confusion. I wanted to try the Poutine Fries but on asking our waiter if they were suitable for Vegetarians he checked with the chef and sadly they contain veal stock. Clearly marked Vegetarian options would be a bonus. There's free WiFi, a relaxed bar-type vibe, cool American-style decor and comfortable table booths. I thought the music a bit loud and would have loved for it to be turned down, but my dining companion Nicola S seemed to think it was fine and that I'm just getting old hahahahaha! All in all a great dining experience and I will return.

    Chicken goujons and a veggie burger - not all for me!!
    Nicola S.

    Bootleggers hasn't really changed from its alley cat days which in some ways is good but proves that the name change was for reputational purposes only and not for any way to improve. Portions are big and cocktails are tasty and still has the hipster vibe. My old bug bear of just wanting a plate is evident here with food in buckets and boards instead. However my portion of chicken goujons with coronation coleslaw and corn on the cob was very filling that no additional side was needed. Staff are friendly and attentive without being overbearing

    Christine S.

    Wasn't fussed at the place that was here before, but we LOVE Bootleggers. The do a side called 'Poutine' which is chips with cheese and peppered sauce. This is absolutely delicious! Their vegetarain 5 bean nacho side is also fantastic. My partner had the pigout burger which was a beef burger with loads of pulled pork and he said it was amazing. I had the chilli beef tacos and loved them! Definitely a most welcome improvement in this incarnation, we are definitely fans and I can't wait for our next visit! I loved the interior and ambiance of the place too, so will definitely stay on for a few drinks too and enjoy it properly!

    Big Mac fries!!! Bomb.com
    Erica D.

    Delicious food, so many flavors in one bite!! The staff members were super friendly and welcoming!! The Big Mac fries are to die for, I'm pregnant and it made my whole day!!

    Steven S.

    Not going to compare this to Alley Cat. I still feel it's entirely unfair how they were put under blast by certain publications, even though they took adequate control of the circumstances that caused the previously extremely popular Belfast haunt to close. Joke is on them though, since Bootleggers is now jam-packed pretty much every night. In regards to the place itself, it's alright. I mean it can be noisy, it's a bit scrappy looking but nothing terrible. The staff seem to be stretched a bit thin due to how popular it is, but that was expected. The food? Messy. I get it, tacos are meant to be messy. But really, charge a little bit less, put a little bit less inside them, nobody will forgive you for doing that if it means they don't have to constantly keep an eye out on their clothing. Taste wise? Yeah, it was alright, nothing to write home about but it wasn't terrible. I think after another few months they'll find their feet, but only if they keep trying to improve the food. The drinks are grand, but that isn't going to carry a place like this so close to the city center anymore, especially since half of the location is an eating area. My main worry would be that they see their level of popularity currently (which is very high, for what it's worth) and use that as an excuse to just stick to the same old.

    3 tacos in soft shell
    Tara M.

    Nice wee hipster place. Quite alt in decor and street food like menu Food has good flavour. Possibly the best burgers in Belfast. Parful fries which where lush. Chips and sweet potatoes covered with garlic,bacon,cheese and sour cream. The tacos where a let down this time around. They where lush before. This time they where to spicy. They where not suppose to be. Kitchen would need more consistency where this is concerned. I would not order them again. Waitress gave is 10% off the bill to make up for it. Staff are good. Lots of seating. Price is also decent. Not a fan of their cocktails. They are not flavour blended as well as other places. The names and ingredients are tempting though. Friday night there was a guy playing acoustic. He was awesome. Saturday night they have a DJ in. Good it's music you can talk over.

    Bar side seating
    Stevie M.

    First up, I love the new decor - classy yet rustic - I think that was the look they were going for. It has the feeling of a hidden prohibition alcohol den, the cat look had definitely outstayed it's welcome and this refit suits the vibe perfectly. In terms of the food I liked it but I didn't love it - the chef explained to me that it's still a work in progress with plenty of tweaking still to be done. This is music to my ears because I felt like the wings I had were one grain of salt, one herb or even an extra 1 minute away from being absolute perfection. One thing that was perfect was the chocolate and peanut butter milkshake - you've got to try it! But beware they are made with real peanuts and the straws are quite wide so before you know it you could have a peanut in the back of your throat. Word of warning! All in all it is a great new place, with amazing new food - give it a visit before the queues start!

    Glenn I.

    Having been a fan of alley cat in the past I was dubious about this 'upgrade' on the look and decor about bootleggers but I was pleasantly surprised at the laid back feel of the place and chilled staff. I got a Pepsi and a burger. The burger came with battered pickles. I love batter but hate pickles so I had a tricky decision on my hands here. I went for it, biting down into the juicy BBQ style burger. I still don't like pickles it turns out. Decent burger, skinny chips. Can't fault it, just not amazing...

    Jen A.

    This is a great spot in the heart of Belfast that seems to get better with each visit. If you're a fan of cocktails and whiskey, this is not a place to be underestimated and you will most certainly find a different variety of what is on offer in other bars within the city. The decor is funky inside, although a little dark, their use of reclaimed materials with the addition of a little funk makes it unique in its own right. The menu has also had an overhaul and there are lots of quick street food options available They also offer live music on certain nights too Well worth a visit

    Andrew K.

    Cool interior with a wide selection of drinks. There is loads of different quirky booths and seating areas. Great for a 2-3 people or a large group. Also check out the popcorn machine. #Popcorn

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    4 years ago

    Great atmosphere and great service. A little lively setting - but fun. Not traditional Irish food but well worth it.

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    Bootleggers Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - Bootleggers

    Love the place and it has great quality food (but be warned, the chilli dog is amazing but very hot, I couldn't taste after it haha).

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

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    Muriel's

    Muriel's

    (53 reviews)

    ££

    City Centre

    It's a cute cafe and bar in downtown Belfast. The gin selection is good but wouldnt say it was…read moreamazing and the cocktails didnt necessarily highlight the gins given the amount of sugar and other ingredients in them. I think they may have had gin flights but we didnt see anything about that. They get their food from next door (burgers and tacos) which is fine and perfectly acceptable.

    It was our first time in Belfast and decided to do our own pub crawl (especially if you have too…read moremany beers). Luckily we were not driving so Muriel's was our second stop. Since we had already had lunch we sat at the bar for a beer. We were greeted by a nice bartender. We told her we were looking for either a beer or cider. There are a few tables outside to enjoy the weather and a few tables inside. The bar area downstairs is small with quite a sizable collection of bras hanging from the ceiling. We ordered a Hilden Belfast Blonde and a Small Axe Session IPA. It wasn't super busy so talked to the bartender about travel. As another bartender walked in we also discussed beer and cocktails. He told us that flavored Gins were popular. He let us smell a few of the popular ones since we are not big gin drinkers. Decided to stop in the ladies room before leaving and found an interesting group of old photos while there. We didn't try any food but loved the beer and cocktail options and really enjoyed talking to both the bartenders. Stop by and check it out.

    Ritas

    Ritas

    (15 reviews)

    £££

    City Centre

    Fantastic cocktails, great atmosphere, and if you can grab a seat you can dance to the great music…read morethey have playing all night. The service is a bit slow so if you want more than one drink you'll have to budget some extra time, but if you have no place to be then enjoy!

    I think Daniel S hit the nail on the head when he said, 'if Hollister did bars' As he mentioned…read moreit's very dark but it's also atmospheric. For me the darkness adds to the smoking club feeling of Ritas, it kind of feels underground. The decor is definitely vintage with a geisha feel, there's loads of hanging Japanese umbrellas and framed geisha girls. The seating is extremely comfortable, if you get plonked in one of their huge, velvet armchairs that might be you settled for the night. For me, the most impressive thing about Ritas is the cocktails and the staff. I actually commented on Saturday evening that no matter how busy the bar is the staff put the same care and detail in to their creations. I say 'creations' because these really are works of art. I ordered a French Martini for Stacey K and the mixologist seemed to be completely zoned in on making the drink, it was almost as if the 30 other people clambering over the bar didn't exist. I love this attention to detail. They serve a good range of beers as well as having an extensive cocktail list. Blue Moon on tap is always a winner for me. The Linen Quarter is absolutely thriving and in truth it's down to the swanky elegance of Ritas, The Perch and Sweet Afton. I've been to each of these bars a good few times and never once have I experienced any sort of drunken trouble. There's a relaxing atmosphere in all these bars and I really think they highlight the new booming, bussling, vibrant Belfast.

    The Perch - Lemon meringue and watermelon sugar

    The Perch

    (35 reviews)

    ££

    City Centre

    This place is very nice and has a good rooftop to get some drinks. Reservations required for the…read moretables but walk ins allowed to sit at the bar. We got the Jug, it was good but didn't have much alcohol in it. We also got the lemon meringue and watermelon sugar drink which were VERY good. Definitely a cool place for cocktails, recommend NOT getting the jug though.

    My wife and I would be in Belfast for the night, so finding some cool bars to enjoy a drink in the…read morecenter of town was on our list of things to do. Through Yelp, I had heard about The Perch that from the pictures looked like a cool place to grab a drink. Little did I realize how cool the bar really is when we made our way down this side street and discovered the entrance. The outdoor rooftop bar is located on the fifth floor in the historic Linen Quarter, which can be accessed through a series of twisting and turning hallways before reaching an old school sliding door lift, which one of the door people take you up. Upon reaching the rooftop, you certainly understand why the owners call the bar "The Perch" because it feels like a bird perch between the various bird perches hung over the bar and the overall decor that has an open-air approach, combined with both a 19th Century steampunk meets polynesian feel. Unlike most bars, The Perch only has in stock a few spirits on the shelves (whether this is due to the pandemic or the actual intent). But from my observation, there seems to be a purpose for this as they focus on making a handful of cocktails -- and making them well, they do. The Brambles was my favorite cocktail that was refreshing and delicious, while the Aperol Springs was tasty but strong. But having a couple of delightful drinks but us to a place of spiritual purity and understanding. Highly recommended if you're in town and looking for a cool and chill bar with a sweet ambiance and funky way to enter.

    The Muddlers Club - Clementine, honeycomb, and yogurt

    The Muddlers Club

    (14 reviews)

    £££

    The Cathedral Quarter

    I booked a late reservation here at the Muddler's Club. I came solo and got dropped off by a taxi…read more I got a little lost while trying to find the restaurant. It's pretty hidden in the alley and not going to lie...coming to a new city, let alone a new country by myself was a bit intimidating, but I found it just in time for my reservation. I absolutely loved my first Michelin Star restaurant experience. I was born in Belfast, and have never been back since I was born, so I enjoyed every opportunity to tell a server. The staff was so friendly and described every dish. I ordered the Seasonal Tasting MenuEach dish was excellent. My favorite was probably the duck and the savory mousse pastries. Food in order of serving: 1. Sourdough Guinness bread with vanilla butter and olive oil 2. Olive sponge crab and apple, chicken and caramel with some type of mousse 3. Scallops, cucumber frothy brown butter 4. Bluefin tuna tartare with avocado and heirloom tomato 5. Halibut with crispy chicken skin 6. Duck 7. Sorbet and then....my phone died before I could write down the other yummy dishes I ate! The ambience was dark, romantic, and vibey. A little mysterious because of the hidden aspect, but overall I loved my whole experience here.

    My weekday dinner at Muddler's Club seemed a bit directionless…read more The food is excellent, taste, flavor combinations and présentation. That is not the concern. The space itself has a very long and interesting history, just over 40 seats have been cramped into that space. A couple tables have small glass walls to separate them and squeeze in more diners. And it's pretty loud. So loud, I can barely hear the sommelier describe her wines. There may have been music playing... but who can hear? There seems to be an attempt to elevate the bartender over the sommelier, with the menu encouraging the guests to try specialty cocktails instead of selecting whole bottles of wine. And the bartender's constant ice shaker only adds to the noise. The service is very relaxed, with servers in t-shirts and jeans, sneakers, paper napkins. And the servers seemed a bit inattentive, watching the chefs through the pass, not paying attention to guests' needs. Oh, and the server even wrote "thank you" on the printed bill... How kind. Excellent Flair. Pure Chotchkie's. For the food, I'll return. 2025 04 16. M1. 235.

    Bootleggers - burgers - Updated May 2026

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