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.

Popular spot for lunch or evening meal, got decent selection on the menu and food is ok. Probably…read morethe best descriptionfor the food is home cooked rather than haute cuisine. Prices are ok too. The place has got a nice homely old world type of ambience. Locally this place is known as Ownies and I have heard stories of a bad crowd at night ,especially the weekends! It is fine at lunch time and, as far as my experience goes, in the early evening.

I'm extremely surprised at the less than stellar reviews this bar has received so far…read more I have been coming here ever since I was old enough, and absolutely love it. Contrary to what has been said, I feel 100% safe in this bar, and unlike a lot of other places that can get a bit rowdy, I have never seen anything untoward in this bar whatsoever. Anyway, the Joymount Arms, or Ownies, as it is locally known, is pretty much one of the liveliest most popular bars in the town. They have had a refurb quite recently, and there is loads of space for everyone (my only complaint previously was that, owing to its popularity, it got so packed and it was hard to move!) They have two bars downstairs, and a further bar upstairs with a function room and balcony. They have a huge, covered smoking area with widescreen TV's outside, and lots of heaters, so even in the middle of the winter, you won't get cold! They have lots of live music, promotion nights, quiz nights, you name it. You will definitely have a great time here. Anyone who does not like this place must have a screw loose!

The Light House is the baby sister of the Bureau shortly further on down the village. Owned by the…read moresame man, yet they're very different places. To compare, the service in the Bureau is attentive and high quality. In The Light House its slow and boring. Plus, the prices were a rip off. Last time I visited we ordered some nearly nice white wine, now I know for a fact it is sold downstairs in the companies off licence for £5 bottle, so why were we charged £17.00, just to come up a flight of stairs? Sorry, I don't think so. The Bureau may be more expensive but at least you get a good deal. To go on, the seats aren't comfy, there's creepy old men lechin about and the toilets ...*shudder* Why slum it ? OK there's the price difference, maybe. But for the sake of a couple of quid? Maybe the Bureau is just more my scene. For one there's a way better smoking area, plus you won't get your drink spilt over you by the hallions at the bar who've just been turned away from the Bureau. It isn't my cuppa tea but it'd be boring if we were all the same.

Off licence does a fantastic range of craft beers from small manufacturers giving a better variety…read moreof flavours than you get in most places. I didn't know so many types of beers existed before a visit here. Well worth a look for something different and makes great gifts

We visited at the weekend on (another) wet afternoon with the kids in tow, just for drinks and…read morereally enjoyed it. We sat at one of the tables right in the windowand a charming young man took our drinks orders, waiting patiently while number one son deliberated carefully between orange and blackcurrant cordial. Not an impatient sigh to be heard so definitely a good start. Around us was a complete mix of people, ladies having coffee (never understand people who go to a pub and have coffee but let's not judge), young guys having lots of pints and other families. We were lucky in getting our seats at the window and enjoyed the beautiful views of the sea and cliffs, just breathtaking. I was equally delighted by the fact thatthey serve mini bottles of Chardonnay as most bars seem to serve only that vinegary muck known as sauvignon. The kids were quite noisy but not out of control noisy and everyone seemed happy with that. Well, I was anyway. Only downside was that they had no crisps which for us are a must when you're not having a meal. A great spot for day drinks for a family ot group of friends.

Driving along the coast, saw a sign for the Porthole Bar & Restaurant, and decided to stop in…read more Ann, our server, was excellent, she never stopped moving. We both had the leg of lamb, it was delicious,, and the portion was high. Reasonable prices, nice atmosphere

The Bureau in Whiteabbey provides locals and visitors alike with a classy, yet chilled atmospheric…read morebar by day, and a hip, trendy place to be for a night out. Having visited myself on a number of occasions (all at different times) the bar hardly ever fails to let me down. Any time I've visited, the staff are always more than pleasant, the waiter service very efficient, management are fine with children and are always accommodating to your needs. The bar has a good range of beers and wines, mostly sold at reasonable prices, though these can be a tad expensive... saying that though , one of the male bar staff makes the best cocktails I've ever tasted (and for a pretty good price)! I would recommend coming during the afternoon / early evening for a quiet, relaxed drink (or meal) with friends, in this modern, dynamic bar with stunning views overlooking Belfast Lough ... or come on a Saturday night for the younger, noisier crowd to enjoy the night until the small hours (on occasion the bar provides special guest DJs / live sets ... see bureau bar updates for info) The beer garden provides simply stunning views of Belfast Lough and of the Holywood/Bangor area. The bar makes great use of the retractable canvas coverings in the smoking area during the ever so temper-mental Irish weather. Come rain or shine though, the beer garden is gorgeous, if a little noisy during busy traffic, but the views more than make up for it. If you're coming for a meal, I've found it particularly lovely if you get window seat in the restaurant upstairs where you can watch the boats sail up and down Belfast Lough and generally find yourself jealous of the sun shining its last, lovely, dying rays over those lucky folks in Hollywood. The food here is generally pretty top notch, I've tried a variety of dishes on their menu, and I've never been let down by the food they've produced. However, I've found that at times the bar can be busy and the service will be slow ...but this is a most definitely a rarity. I've also heard a few stories about the management (who also owns The Lighthouse bar a few doors down, where you'll find cheaper drink, but in much less fashionable surroundings) ...apparently the turn around for waiting staff (at least in The Bureau) is quite high. Having met the man though I can't say much bad about him. He's only trying to ensure his business survives (many companies haven't in Whiteabbey ... See Rory's / Auntie Socials / etc....) So in summary I would say it's definitely worth a try. I've heard some people haven't had the best of experiences here, I honestly, don't know what to put that down to, (being very busy/no staff/ ...) but, as they say, everyone deserves a second chance. So I really would give it a go and see what you think. I'd absolutely recommend this bar to anyone visiting the country or someone stuck for somewhere to go within the area.

Despite living withing spitting distance of Jordanstown, I have to admit that this place never…read morereally occurs to me. I always tend to head to Belfast, whether I want a drink or just a coffee. It's actually really annoying that I can't train myself to think of The Bureau more often, because it's actually really nice. I've only ever been in teh early evening for tea and buns and I was quite impressed with it. Now, they had run out of rice krispie buns (very bad in my book), but the service was good, the atmostphere was chilled and the decor of the place was modern and relaxed. Jordanstown itself is on the shore, so you're never far from the water if you fancy a walk after you've had a big feed (or too much cake...). Since you're out of Belfast, parking is also slightly easier and there's a car park directly across from it. I really must try to get to The Bureau more often, but I suppose I'll have to just retrain my brain so it doesn't think the world begins and ends in Belfast City Centre!

Well well well, all I can say about this little bar is that you are best to avoid it during the day…read moreif you want to have a private conversation and are female. My friend and her boyfriend had hit a rocky patch and she asked to meet me at 1pm for a few day time jars and a chat. I'd suggested the maypole as it is very close to where I was that day. This is a long established pub in the middle of town and it homes all the regulars during the day. I wasn't expecting a modern sheik establishment and that was lucky because I didn't get it. The best way to describe the Maypole is that it is an old mans bar - I have no idea what it is like in the evenings but in the day time it seems to be a meeting point for old gentlemen who sit at the bar and put the world to rights. The bar is bright enough and the Guiness and Harp mirrors make it feel bigger. There are small tables and a long leather bench. They stock a full bar but don't expect fine wines of cocktails as this really is a beer and bitter kind of pub. Anyway I listened to my friends problems as did two or three elderly locals, we all gave our opinions and left it at that. To be honest we both enjoyed the social interactions but a lot of it was to do with us being youngish ladies. An old man's bar so if you do enter in the daytime, be prepared!

A real Irish pubread more

best pub in the world, bar none…read more or best bar in the world, pub none. too many Guinness. too much fun!

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.

The Royal Oak, or The Oak, as it is locally known, is a modern and spacious bar over two levels at…read morethe seafront in the town, which has been refurbished in the last few years. It used to be a hugely popular bar around 5 years ago, but interest has waned in recent years since the smoking ban came in (smokers are not catered for as well here as they are in the many other bars in the town) The downstairs bar attracts an older crowd and would be mostly 'locals'. The upstairs bar would be livelier at weekends and attract a younger crowd (18-30 mainly) There are large TV screens in both bars, and also in the galley style smoking area which show regular sports games. The upstairs bar has a jukebox and various gaming machines to entertain patrons. There are also various quiz nights held throughout the year in the bar.

Certainly a popular spot this, generally has a good buzz and friendly atmosphere about the bar or…read morelounge. Gets pretty busy at the peak times but this adds to the atmosphere as a good crowd of regulars frequent this local. The staff are great, friendy and heplful so all roun d agood spot to enjoy a drink.

My husband is from Culdaff, and every time we go to visit his family we spend a few nights catching…read moreup at this cozy, family-owned pub. Drop by, chat up the locals, enjoy some music out back in the summer.....or find a corner and stare out the window awhile. Either way, a classic Iocal Irish pub, in the best way possible.