Great pub! Traditional, loud, fun. The bartender was helpful and the Guinness and cider was delicious oldest bar in Belfast 1711. read more

McHugh's - Irish Pub Near Me - Belfast, BFS

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Just popped in for a pint and a snack after visiting W5. Had a great time. Classic pub atmosphere. Excellent service. Really enjoyed the tomato soup.ot was extra thick and served with some local Irish bread for dipping. We ordered a second side of bread. If I didn't have my kids with me on this trip, I could have easily spent a few hours hanging out in this very comfortable pub chatting up the locals and other tourists. read more

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I was traveling on business and was on my own. Had to buy a converter plug so walked to the downtown area. On the way I noticed McHugh's. On the way back I checked Yelp and saw a above average rating. The menu looked good and the building was very historic (1711). Dinner was excellent roasted duck, potatoe and string beans. Chased with a Irish beer. I was lovin' life. Will definitely return if I have business in Belfast. read more

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Had a nice pint here when walking in the city. Love the outdoor seating. Came in and the service was so kind and helpful! The place is very Belfast, old beautiful pub. Can't wait to come again and try the food. read more

Stopped in mid-day after paying a visit to Titanic Belfast. As this was my first experience both with fresh caught halibut and chips and Kilkenny's beer, I simply couldn't ask for a better venue. The staff was friendly and very patient, and as the place was mostly empty I was able to sit back, fill out a few postcards and drink in the atmosphere. I walked out 45 minutes later full, with a light buzz going, and very pleased. read more

This restaurant gets busy, so be prepared to wait a bit. Lots of tables had "reserved" signs, so getting a free table was a task. I ordered the boxty with chicken and onion rings. I enjoyed it, especially being a boxty virgin! Mr B got the fish and chips, which he graded a "B-". Needed to be crisper. read more

McHugh's - Boxty - Irish Pub Near Me - Belfast, BFS

I'm blown away!! I've had steaks before, from wagyu beef cooked on a hibachi in Japan to Black Angus raised by my daughter for a 4H project. The salted block steak is in the top 5 I've ever had. Comparing to the above mentioned, beef from Israel, grass feed beef in Nebraska and Iowa. It was wonderful!! Topped with onion rings, seems odd, but tasted great. Fries, toasted tomatoes, sautéed mushrooms and onions. Gravy came with the dish, but saved it for the chips at the end, steak doesn't need the gravy. Excellent dish and I'll probably come back before I leave the country! I'm sure I'll be miserable from eating so much, I mean I couldn't stop eating the gravy and fries, the gravy itself was addictive!! read more

Do you like glue for mashed potatoes? How about flat Prosecco? Maybe the servers are too young to know, or maybe it's just a Tourist Trap.

This was our first time in Belfast so decided to take a look around downtown. We took a bus to downtown and got off in the main square across from City Hall. As we walked around downtown we decided to head along the river to see if there were any good seafood places. As we walked we ran into McHughs. It said it was the oldest building in Belfast. We were there a little early before they opened so waited at a table outside. Once they opened we wanted to take a look around. One part of the restaurant looks like the quintessential pub with all the dark wood and short ceiling. We sat on the opposite side by the stairs to the second floor where the restrooms are. As we were waiting for lunch, some music started in the other room. We ordered a couple of local beers along with lunch. Hubby ordered the Classic Ploughmans Platter and I had the Irish stew. Our waiter was very nice and told us a little about the history of the building. The food came up from the basement in a dumb waiter to the bar area for the wait staff to pick up. The Irish Stew was amazing!! Some of the best I have ever had. The platter was also good especially if you want a lighter lunch. On a nice day it would be nice to sit outside. If ever in Belfast again we will definitely stop by for a pint and lunch. read more

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We had the most enjoyable evening. I ordered the special of steak and Guinness pie. It was delicious! I should have taken a picture, but I ate it too quickly. I recommend this pub. We made friends with a couple from Belfast and they even bought us shots of Baileys for a toast. read more

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Our quest for a more than idyllic, bar-hopping adventure was kicked off right here. Had the pleasure of joining an AirBNB group with a wide array of travelers. The United Nations of passerby's all with their story to tell. Coming on a weekday evening was quite interested, the surrounding bearded biker dudes will throw you off. Just don't make eye contact and walk right in read more

I reviewed McHugh's way back in 2010 and I didn't really rate it but since then I've matured, I've become a more cultured individual and I've started to appreciate history and tradition a whole lot more. Looking back I can't believe I didn't appreciate that McHughs was one of Belfast's oldest licensed premises' dating back to 1711. It's location is pretty good too - just off Custom House Squarer and within walking distance to Titanic Belfast, McHugh's makes the perfect stop off for tourists and locals who are heading back in to the City from the Titanic Quarter. I had no idea until yesterday that McHugh's plays live sport at the weekends. They also host a traditional Irish music collective on Sundays. These guys aren't really performing for the patrons, they are really just jamming but it makes a lovely background music while you sip on your pint. McHugh's is decked out in traditional trinkets and there is also a nod to Northern Ireland political past with framed newspapers on the walls. All in all I think 'm going to pop a few extra stars on McHugh's - it just shows you that a businesses doesn't have to change, sometimes you've just got to appreciate what's on offer. read more

McHugh's - Huge spirit collection - Irish Pub Near Me - Belfast, BFS

Lovely pub that attracts a large crowd at all times, particularly as its the first bar you come to after leaving the SSE Arena. Lovely friendly staff and usually have all the big football and rugby games on. It has a great outdoor area in the summer over looking custom house square so sometimes of concerts are taking place there you can listen for the fraction of the cost with a shorter queue at the bar. Upstairs there is a great restaurant that serves amazing food and in the main bar downstairs they sell the usual pub fare which is of a high standard. Usually on a Friday evening they have a traditional band playing in the bar which just adds to its atmosphere and gets the crowd going. A great pub to visit read more

McHugh's - Refreshing afternoon - Irish Pub Near Me - Belfast, BFS

Is McHugh's good for a bite to eat? Yes. Is it the venue for upmarket food? Not so much and as long as you go armed with that information and matching expectations, you won't be disappointed. I have had all manner of evenings in McHughs - a gaggle of over- excited girls having a meal and drinks before a *blush* Take That show, a family Sunday evening tea, and a meal before the cinema with the husband. Each time I have had a perfectly nice meal in pleasant surroundings. You come in off the street into the main bar area so if you're just in for drinks, this is as far as you go. For food, head on up to the first floor. The first floor is big, but its layout in balconies and alcoves means that most tables have a cosy feel and everyone from romantic twosomes to large groups can be accommodated. I have always had something from the stir fry section of the menu and can recommend both the duck and beef stir fries which both deliver a tasty meal with no feeling of being overloaded. The husband has had the salmon fillet a couple of times and the pieces I have nabbed from his plate have been good. Service is efficient and polite so no complaints there. One of my pet hates in life is rude waiting staff but no complaints here. Downstairs gets pretty raucous later on on weekend nights. I fear I may have contributed to that on a few occasions. I believe there is a diso/nite klub in the basement, but get this - the last time I was in McHughs with a big group of girls, the bouncer said we were too badly behaved to be allowed into it!! I beg your pardon? OK, maybe he did have a point. One of the group had no shoes on when she got home..... read more

McHugh's - Irish Pub Near Me - Belfast, BFS

This place is lost on me. It is "the oldest bar in Belfast" but in hindsight, there's only a small number of times you can go to "old" bars before they all become the exact same thing. McHugh's is too similar to the "ye olde traditional pubs" that are littered around Belfast and in that respect it is fine for a drink or two. I've only been there during the day and I have friends who go to McHughs in the evening/night time and they like the club part of it downstairs. But really it's just very mediocre. Shame read more

McHugh's - Irish Pub Near Me - Belfast, BFS

I've been to quite a few (maybe too many) pubs throughout Ireland. Unfortunately as a foreigner, I usually go off of reviews and get stuck in tourist traps with bad food and mediocre drinks. A local cabbie (Eddie) recommended this place to us, and dropped us off there after a tour. I was pleasantly surprised, that although this bar is very old and could be considered a tourist attraction, it had both great drinks and good food, with just a hint of "check out our history" without drowning their customers in tourism posters and pamphlets. The staff is friendly and it is reasonably close to other attractions and hotels, a great place for visitors to checkout. Will not disappoint. read more

Caution! Tourist review: Stopped by after the Titanic museum, which was lame. This Place tho, had some amazing seafood chowder and fish and chips. Best meal so far in Ireland. I especially liked the mussels in the chowder. read more

McHugh's - Irish Pub Near Me - Belfast, BFS

One of the best places that we visited in Belfast. Great food, drinks, and an amazing ambience in this historic pub! Please take me back to Ireland! read more

Great food. Potato skins were good! It's one potato cut in half. I also had the cheesy garlic bread (one piece cut in half so not really shareable). The carbonara pasta was great very good. Overall food was very good. Also, apparently they don't do take out and you can't take your left overs home? A friend tried to get me potato skins to go and they said they didn't have the license for it. The next night I was there... I was able to take left overs? Don't know if they made an exception the night I went? Anyways, just a heads up! read more

I'm an American, living in Cali. here on work. My countrymen or random folks from other places. McHugh's is a gem. Prepare to have your American gastropub standards blown away. It's soooooo rare to have the opportunity to taste something you've had a thousand times and have it bring a new thought provoking flavor that blows the mind. This place has succeeded in doing this to me 3 times now... it's 3/3... and I haven't even had a main course! This place has blown away my expectations and standards of traditional gastropub food.. perhaps food in general. My first day/meal in Belfast. I had fish and chips for lunch. It was the best fish and chips I've ever had. Massive fish portion, lightly battered with fries and mushy peas. This should not be missed as a lunch option. My appetizers as dinner. Calamari. Blown away. I wish I could experience this for the first time again. Phenomenal. Chicken wings. Jesus. They're beautiful and AGAIN a flavor I've never tasted. So complex and beautifully served. Enjoy and try the light red ale as accompaniment. Cheers. read more

My dad and stopped here for a couple drinks after exploring the inner city of Belfast. It was a really cool bar. I'm sad we didn't get to try the food, we heard it was really good but we had already eaten. Service was friendly and they kept up with our drinks. The bar itself is really neat with its dark wood and old looking windows. Very cool place. If I'm ever in Belfast again I'd definitely come back and I'd try the food this time! read more

Great atmosphere. We were directed to a table straight away without a reservation Enjoyed the Boxty w/ beef strips; would definitely order that again. Delicious Sticky Toffee Pudding - a must have! read more

McHugh's is a great all rounder pub. It's great for pre/post gigs at Custom House Square or SSE Arena due to it's location. I took my parents here for some traditional pub grub and we ate upstairs during the week when it was quiet. The service was super and the food was tasty and good value. They have a wide choice on the menu with fish pie, ham hock or burger to name a few. I also visited McHughs as part of a food tour of Belfast. We got to sample the Hot Rock steak served on a volcanic rock, so that you can cook your own steak to your liking. This with a lovely cold pint of good Guinness is the ideal taste of Belfast especially in what is known as one of the earliest buildings in Belfast. McHughs is also a great place to go and watch the Rugby or Football with a great atmosphere. They have traditional folk music and music sessions on at the weekends, so its a great place for visitors to Belfast to get a bit of craic! read more

McHugh's - Oldy worldy - Irish Pub Near Me - Belfast, BFS

I dropped in before the TESCO Taste fest at Custom House Square and was absolutely amazed at the number of Irish Whiskey on display. I never knew there were that many!! This pub is full of history and interesting facts. They've also got a great menu. Have to try it out soon....... read more

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This place is a wonderful little pub. Upstairs is dining and downstairs is a bar. A little bar is up stairs. The food was wonderful and amazing. Service is amazing. Lamb and chicken and ham hock is highly suggested read more

McHugh's - This is the lamb cutlets - Irish Pub Near Me - Belfast, BFS

McHugh's is a very popular bar, but in the handful of times I've been, I have been unimpressed! I went twice for drinks and the place was absolutely heaving, forget getting a table, there was hardly even standing space. Sometimes I can let his go if the atmosphere is great, but it wasn't. The one time we went for food was for the last Belfast Restaurant week. They were doing a retro 80's themed night and I was really looking forward to it. On the plus side, the staff were lovely, very friendly, and the food we got was delicious. On the negative side, we paid £25 each for a three course meal. The food we were served was like from a taster menu, absolutely TINY portions, and while the food was delicious, we left starving and had to get something else to eat when we got home, which for that price, after we'd paid for drinks on top (and we didn't have many), made for an expensive night out. Also when I looked at the menu afterwards, I noticed that you were meant to get a glass of Liebfraumilch with your main. We never got this. read more

This place is great we stopped in for lunch on our walk back from Titanic. I highly recommend the seafood chowder, with a Belfast Black

McHugh's is a great wee pub, but one I only ever stop at whilst on the way to somewhere else. I've never actually spent a full evening here - instead I've dropped in for a drink whilst on the way to a concert or event at the Odyssey, Custom House Square or city centre. It's strength is the outside seating area in summertime - when an event is on somewhere crowds congregate here and there's a fantastic lively buzz. Facing Custom House Square it's an excellent spot for a summer afternoon spent people watching. I had a meal upstairs once many years ago which I remember as being very tasty - must get back for another meal! There's often live music on, staff are friendly and an upbeat happy vibe permeates. read more

Charming building, terrible service. Waiter never returned, went to the bar, and told we couldn't order from a different waiter from the one that was at the table. We apparently offended our table waiter, because he never came back to our table, not even to give us the check. If they're going to have these rules, they should post them. We had no idea. We could've walked out without paying, but we requested the check, and payed to a different waiter. No tip! read more

Labelled for the tourists as the oldest bar in Belfast, McHughs has been selling drink to the drunkards of Belfast since 1711. I'm sure apart from the stone bricks of the walls, it's changed QUITE a lot since then! But it marries together the sense of history with the new-fangled quite happily, actually. They have a good thing going, with the lively bar and pedestrianised area out front for the smokers, overlooking the Lagan Weir and Custom House Square, and the large restaurant upstairs, that seats large and small parties alike. The service in the restaurant is great. Having eaten here quite a few times, I've never had cause for complain. There is a hint at local flavour from the menu, with a really good choice, from good veggie opeions like the homemade cheese and garlic soda bread (my veggie friend enthused greatly) and the pan fried tiger prawns which really were lovely. There is a wide choice of mains too, although slightly less optinons for the veggie love this time, although she did enjoy her pasta. The Pan fried chicken that I had was lovely. We had a great table at the window, and our waiter was good fun, a bit cheeky-chappy flirty - who could blame him with a table full of girls? Good food, great atmosphere in the pub and restaurant. Go for it. read more

McHugh's - courtesy of website - Irish Pub Near Me - Belfast, BFS

McHughs is a nice enough bar, not spectacular but certainly not a bad place to go out for a few drinks on an evening or a quick pint in the afternoon. Aparently around since 1711, but I suspect there isn't much of the original vibe about the place. McHughs has a good, young and modern feeling, always busy and sometimes overly packed with people to the point that it is hard to get around. The toilets are upstairs and well out of the way which I always think is a good thing. The food is basic and will fill a hole in your stomach if needs be, but I would not be expecting haute cusine, but there is nothing the matter with that. Radio K, the club night downstairs on a Saturday night is always a great night out with a great eclectic range of music, as long as you are not expecting pop tunes and heavy dance music. A fun bar, basic, but well worth a look as long as you are not expecting the re-invention of the wheel. read more

McHugh's is a funny old place. Don't get me wrong, I love it, but it's hard to properly categorise it, you know? It's a restaurant. Not a spectacular one, but the ingredients are always fresh, and generally local, which puts it ahead in my book, and it's good for small or large groups. It's also a pub. A bit old and a bit modern. Then downstairs it's a club. Radio K is actually one of the best club nights in Belfast. It doesn't play just one type of music, but it also doesn't play anything predictable. The music could be hip-hop, rock, electro or any genre in between. The only downside is that it's in a small space in the basement so it gets inCREDibly warm down there. It wouldn't be the first time I've had to make an emergency trip to the toilets to take my tights off! My advice with McHugh's is to be there early if you want to go downstairs. It usually fills up by about 11pm. What we tend to do is pay in, get stamped and then sit upstairs until we're ready to go down. Works a treat! read more

There's not much to add here that hasn't already been said. However, I would like to attempt to clear up a few things for visitors to Belfast regarding where the "oldest bar" in Belfast is - we wouldn't want a load of visitors returning to their home countries and claiming they'd all been to the oldest bar in Belfast, with some having been to Kelly's Cellars, some to White's Tavern, and others to McHugh's. So here goes... It depends on your definition. McHugh's is Belfast's oldest building, but it's apparently uncertain as to what year it actually became a pub - it's been suggested that this was in the mid-18th century. As far as I recall, the records don't go back far enough to verify that it's the oldest bar in Belfast, but it's the oldest building. White's Tavern has the oldest liquor license in Belfast but, as correctly reported by another Yelper, the business moved premises, presumably some time after Kelly's Cellars opened. - White's had the first license - McHugh's is the oldest building - It's probable that Kelly's is the oldest continuously licensed premises As I said, that's all to the best of my knowledge, and it will depend on you definition of the term "oldest bar". For my money, it's probably Kelly's, but visitors should have a pint in all three, just to make sure their bases are covered. read more

Mc Hugh's, a world of wonder with it's dressed down attitude and echo's of an age gone by. Friday night's soul and funk clubnight has punters of all ages jiving and swaying to a laid back beat, while Saturday's Radio K kicks everyone into the weekend with an ecletic mix to suit a varied audience. During the day the public bar provides a comfortable atmosphere for a few quiet pints. And if you get peckish a nice homely meal will be dished up in a matter of minutes. The bar is always well stocked but on a busy night be prepared for a few glances at your wrist watch before someone gets to you. A smoking area is provided in the form of a patio at the front entrance. However, it doesn't provide much shelter if the elements decide to upset the evening. For some McHugh's could prove too far out of the conveinent city centre bars and clubs but with taxi services fully available this shouldn't cause too much disruption. All in all, a nice break from the norm. read more

Update: I'm DJing here as part of Belfast Funk n'Soul night on November 5th so come on down 9-11.30! A grand little pub with a cozy kind of classic pub feel to it. The original building has been around since 1711 and they promise to combine the old with the new. I've been for a pint downstairs sitting on one of the snug couches before heading into town on a Saturday night. I've heard really good things about the Radio K night downstairs in the Basement and have made a note to self to check it out. Radio K is held every Saturday- they play a mixed bag of indie, soul, electro, new wave, 80's pop and many more. The funk and soul night which is currently being hosted here is brill. Me and some friends had the best night here recently. Plenty of dancing and funtimes! I pass this bar on my bus home and have seen hen partys staggering out of the place in early evening. It seems a good place to go for crowds. When I was there, about a million German tourists came in, I can imagine the bar being popular with tourists also. A nice bar in a nice spot. read more

Mc Hughs makes a claim at being the oldest bar in town which other reviewers have discussed more accurately than I could, but unfortunately I find that this debate hints at a larger problem: there is nothing more interesting about this place to talk about rather than its origins. It is fairly unremarkable. It is your textbook old fashioned pubs on the main level with a wee restaurant in an isolated area( that admittedly i have never been to) and the downstairs is the area for live music. This is my main reason for being here as I have watched a few of my friends play here, and I can't say I enjoy it. The bar is expensive and for the music area the acoustics aren't great and there are loads of pillars which really restrict the ability to see! The best things for me about this place are the ability to have a quick drink before you get a bus next door in laganside and the Guinness advertising paintings on the side which are quite funky! read more

Walked in. Nice guy poured me a pint of Guinness and I wanted a feed so he took me upstairs to the restaurant(closes at 9) Nice place. No complaints. And OH! It's the oldest building in Belfast! Not oldest bar. read more

McHugh's - Starters - Irish Pub Near Me - Belfast, BFS

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Nice Irish pub. Always plenty going in here. Outdoor seating,gig venue downstairs and restaurant upstairs. Could do with a bit of renovation and also one of those fly killer machines. Good location especially for the bus station. read more

After visiting the Titanic museum, we wanted to get out of the rain and into some lunch. This was the place that fate had in store for us. It is in a very old, but charming building. The food was quite good for a pub. I had the bangers and mash -- great presentation and delicious tasting food. I could not be happier with my choice. If you like dessert, I highly recommend the sticky toffee pudding. A slice of cake with ice cream on a bed of toffee sauce -- so good! A few beers and a very nice selection of whisky makes this place an excellent choice. read more

McHugh's - Bangers and Mash - Irish Pub Near Me - Belfast, BFS

This quaint little pub was very nice to visit. They have great food and you just might run into a GOT cast member there since I learned it is one of their favorite spots to visit in Belfast. read more