I spent a good bit of the afternoon raving on about how I really wanted to go to this pub because…read moreit is reportedly one of the smallest pubs in the whole of Ireland! It was kind of hard to find because it looks nothing like what we all imagine a typical pub to look like these days. It is basically a front door with a sign over it, blink and you'll miss it - I had walked past it three times that day already without noticing it. My fiance held the dog and I squeezed my almost six foot frame into the tiny little bar - the craic started immediately; 'it's pour your own pints in her love!' - Aw Jeepers here we go! Had a bit of banter with the three men in the bar about the size of the place. There was no one behind the bar to serve me, he was outside I think - the place is so tiny. The regulars told me that you can get about 10 people into the bar but that there is another bar in Belfast somewhere - I will find it - that is even smaller and according to (them!) local legend, you can only get about 5 people into the Belfast bar. An interesting little traditional bar with no food, no pool and no fruit machines - just a seat and a jar! Definitely worth seeing but be prepared for a very intimate setting.

The first time I went into this bar it was a rainy miserable day. The bar is beautiful inside,…read morereally modern and fresh feeling. We had a cup of tea under the suspicious gaze of many an elderly man. The second time was very different - The bar is still beautiful inside, still modern and still fresh - but this time there was a much younger buzz about the place. The pool table and the fruit machines were in full swing and there was plenty of laughter and craic. We sat out the back in the large decked beer garden. It was a beautiful afternoon and we would have had a perfect afternoon had the dog not yacked up everywhere. We had to run to the toilets and clean up the mess - gross! We had a couple of refreshing pints in the sun under the watch of, rather bizarrely, two large blue paintings of the characters from Avatar - why? Anyway, we had a lovely time sitting outside opposite the ferry terminal watching the half naked men jump off the pier into the ice cold water. Apart from an invasion of wasps and the dog vomit it was a lovely afternoon in a lovely seaside bar.

A few years back we got to to here as the Belfast telegraph had a promotion on and even though its…read morea fair distance from Belfast we thought we'd take a gamble on it, definitely worth the drive as the food and atmosphere were above expectations with being in the winter and the open fire lit, really nice and cosy. The tables by the entrance are the best but don't be fooled by the small appearance its like Dr who's tardis as the space through the next set of doors there's a massive room for dining or dancing. You have to park in a car park on the opposite side of the road which is a bit inconvenient but its just added character and the food was nice too. We'd love to go back sometime soon .

Found Saltwater Brig by pure chance on a filthy dark winter night while on holiday from Scotland…read more But what a welcome inside! The staff were so friendly and helpful with my disabled Wife. As for the food, we have eaten in a lot of places in a number of countries but this was as good as anything we have come acrooss. And the finishing touch was dining beside the huge log fire on a freezing winter night. It was so good that we went back another couple of times during our week's stay. We are going ti Ireland again shortly on holiday and Saltwater Brig will be our number one priority for another visit. We were back in Ireland for another holiday in November. The Saltwater Brig was top of our agenda for a return visit.......and we weren't disappointed. Once again everything about it was superb - the beautiful location beside Strangford Lough, the cosy surroundings and the welcoming staff (especially Olive who is the friendliest waitress you could meet). Then there is the food. The extensive menu is fantastic and we cannot speak highly enough of its quality, and all very reasonably priced. If you enjoy "a taste of Ulster" put The Saltwater Brig on your MUST VISIT list. We guarantee you will love it.

Great beer garden on the rooftop. The floor of the main saloon was quite sticky from spilled drinks…read moreand the acoustics were just OK for the live band that was playing. I'd like to go back and check it out on another night where there is no live music, just to get a better feel for the vibe without the noise.

Great bands on weekend nights .. We saw a cover band called…read moreOff The Record .. Electric energy performance from a group of 50 odd year olds .. Slamming out Pistols , Thin Lizzy , Killers U2 , Stereophonics , T Rex etc .. with great accuracy and a few twists .. Food simple , yet delicious , well priced and served .. Great funky decor .. Love the JamJars cocktails .. Great night out .. Would recommend

Quaint Irish country pub with outside seating and strong, delicious cocktails. Has a lovely mellow…read morevibe and is heavenly on a summers day. But just beware the few wasps which hover about outside and seem to be attracted by nearby apple trees and the scent of fruity cocktails! I visited in August 2017, as part of a Carlingford Mystery Cocktail Tour, and amongst our party of sixteen ladies, for most, this pub was a firm favourite. It was an extremely enjoyable stop during the tour. Will definitely be returning.

Can't believe I've only recently discovered this quaint little pub. Stopped for a drink one day…read morewhilst walking past it in Killyleagh and returned later in the week for dinner. Was mid-week and early evening so the restaurant was quiet but it was beautifully warm and cosy on a cold autumn evening. We enjoyed our food immensely and a highlight for me was the houmous bowl with garlic flatbread and aubergine caponata starter. Service was good too and we are looking forward to a return visit.

Visited Killyleagh in February and stayed a stones throw…read morefrom the Duff. Many days during our two week visit consisted of waking and meeting at the Duff for a pint as we planned our day, adventuring outward from there, and ending at the Duff for a pint and wonderful food and company. I could rave on and on about the food and drink, which was exceptional. The people however, were unlike anything I'd ever experienced in my travels. From the owner, Austi, to every last one of his staff, made me feel at home and were friendly beyond belief. From the staff, to the many regulars who I had the pleasure to meet many times over, it felt as if I'd only been away from Killyleagh on vacation and was only returning home. I left with many cherished memories and many new friends. The Duff is a gem that I will miss every day until my return. The fact that it is set in the middle of the amazing and beautiful little village of Killyleagh is an added bonus. As | near retirement, my wife and I plan on moving abroad. We'd had our sights set on Prague, but after visiting the Duff and it's wonderful staff, and Killyleagh's amazing people and sights, we are seriously considering Killyleagh as our home base. Cheers friends!

We had a wonderful experience at The Crosskeys Inn. It's Ireland's oldest thatched roof pub and we…read moregot a brief talk about thatching, so look up as you're entering! Watch your head, unless you're as short as I am. We were on the CIE Scots Irish tour. We somehow got a table directly next to the band and had a wonderful time, let folks come and sit with us, got Guinness with Blackcurrant (which depending on who you ask is WRONG ... I thought it was fun). We had a BBQ buffet dinner that was good with plenty of food. They let us take home our placemats which are maps of Ireland. Also, there was a gift shop with some lovely items that came home with us, as well.

To the naked eye, it looks like a quaint country cottage with a thatched roof, but don't let the…read moreunassuming exterior fool you. This pub has been standing since the 17th Century, they know a thing or two about hospitality. Our party of five made ourselves cozy in the sessions corner as the pub keeper offered to light a peat moss fire for our comfort. They sell tee-shirts and tourist patronize this place, on account of it being a very old, beautiful Irish pub, but there were a few locals enjoying a pint when we stopped in. One of the owners is American, and I was surprised to see JFK Memorabilia in the smaller room. They have antique oil lamps, old firearms and assorted things on display for patrons to muse. They proudly serve Bushmills and even their own brand of Crosskeys Whisky, but I got a gin and tonic and enjoyed the Northern Irish craic that was on full supply on this June day.

My American family starts with John Smilie in 1761. He was from Greyabbey and later fought in the…read moreUS Revolution and served in the US Congress So we visited Greyabbey even though no family lives in the area now. We came down to eat and soak up the feel of the area. The waitress called her boyfriend to come down and relate local history, how nice, how personal, perfect! Comfortable place, great food, good beer. And we love that waitress!

Been here a few times the food is beautiful, the décor is also beautiful the staff are…read more.. Example of a few times that come to mind In for lunch with a friend and we were the only people in the restaurant, it was during the week, (not the first time I have called in at this time of the day during the week) the fire was lit and the restaurant looked beautiful beautiful, and we were showed to a seat at the back near the door , a very awkward table with hard seats, as my friend was heavily pregnant and the restaurant was empty she suggested we move to a softer seat near the fire as she needed the softer seat for her back, as we did this a very large agitated woman came over to ask us (as nice as she could..which was not very nice) if we could move back to our table. Her words being " eeeh you can't sit there can you just go back here please " When we explained heavily pregnant = backpains / better seat etc. she got even more annoyed and asked "well why would you want to sit at a table of 4 when there are only two of you?" I was so taken a back who would address a customer like this! We asked if they were expecting a crowd or was it booked (no reservation sign was on the table) she replied "no but some people might come in.." and simply gaped at us before repeating that they MAY need that table! The restaurant was empty! There were at least 20 other tables free!! How ever we did persevere and made it clear that this is where we would like to sit, not only for the pleasantness of the fire but for the comfort of the softer seat for an 8moth pregnant lady! Outrageous behaviour, had the manager been available I would have placed a complaint I have never experienced this anywhere before nor since and it is an absolute shame that this fantastic place should be let down by such a .. member of staff. On a different occasion with a group of 6 it was towards the end of the night and after out meal we stayed for a few glasses of wine, we were down towards the back tables and there were only 2 other couples in. We could hear this shrieking and laughing coming form up the restaurant which obviously caught our attention as it was so quiet. After a trip to the bathroom it was discovered the shrieking and by now swearing which could quite clearly be heard from across the restaurant was coming from no less than the same member of staff that had treated us so badly before who was in the kitchen! Clearly unaware of how loud she was being but her F's and her B's were pretty disgusting and clear for all to hear, - I am stuck for words ! Especially as this person has now came to my attention twice I am weary about returning and have since tried several other restaurants, none of which equal the high standard of the food but at least the staff are courteous and do not exhibit the primitive behaviour I have witnessed here!