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    Northern Whig

    3.6 (48 reviews)
    ModerateCocktail Bars, British
    Open 11:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)

    Northern Whig Photos

    NORTHERN WHIG ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

    Recommended Reviews - Northern Whig

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    Ciara S.

    Over the years I've enjoyed quite a few good meals and nights out in Northern Whig. However having not visited in a quite a while I was keen to try it again after hearing it had undergone a recent refurbishment. Hence I visited this evening, Thursday 26 May 2016 with three friends. I absolutely love the new interior which is luxurious, comfortable, mellow, dark and cosy. I just know I'll be making a beeline for the new Whig during cold winter months as everything about it expresses warmth and welcome. Our waiting staff were friendly and fantastic and we choose from the '2 Courses & a Glass of Wine for £15.95' menu which is available Monday to Thursday between 12 and 9pm. I opted for sesame asparagus frites starter and Mediterranean vegetable brochette main. Wine on this menu was either a glass of white, red or rose. We all choose white which was a fruity light Sauvignon Blanc. Personally I thought my food excellent, full of flavour and extremely great value for money. I loved my time spent in Northern Whig and think the new interior, service, ambience, food and wine superb. I would almost 5 star Northern Whig except for the fact that my pet hate was present - vegetarian options not clearly marked on the menu! Why Northern Whig, WHY??!!! Nonetheless there were a few vegetarian starters and a couple of mains to choose from across the menus on offer. Hence 4 stars for now.... Ultimately Northern Whig is a pleasure to visit and I will be returning soon. I saw some delicious looking cocktails being served and think the new refurb a triumph. It's wonderful to have a regenerated, renewed Belfast city centre spot to wine, dine and relax in.

    Judith C.

    I'm not really a fan of the Whig. It tends to be too busy at the weekends for me to enjoy it, plus it tries too hard to be trendy for my taste. Now, the food is something I can get behind. I really like going here for dinner with the girls, or calling in for lunch when shopping on a Saturday, so I'd definitely recommend it as a restaurant. It's nice gastropub food and very reasonably priced. As a bar, however, it lacks something. I think it might be that the music is loud enough to suggest a club, but there's no actual dancefloor. I hate this in a bar because it means people dance where they're standing and the traffic flow gets messed up and I get stressed out trying to walk from the bar to the bathroom! No good.

    Victoria R.

    Been herr a few times with my friends food is always nice down side is the foods always then same menu doesnt change Then we decided to go here for lunch brought the kids wel wasnt that a mistake Staff took forever to see to us there was about two other tables so they were dead Didnt ask if we needed a highchair which we did then we had to go get it r selves No kids menus So if u dnt havr kids it's great for u but if u do then stay away

    Brian C.

    Do not be fooled by The Northern Whig. As part of the Botanic Inn group (the Globe, Ryans, Bot) I wasn't expecting that much. In fact, I was expecting pretty much the exact same. Offers, students, nothing that special. How wrong I was. The décor is fantastic, compared to just the usual pubs that you associate with the Botanic Inn group. They have leather chairs, great lighting, fancy cocktails. It's not really aimed at the drunk student. Well certainly not during the day. I've heard about this place at night and it gets properly busy. We were only in it for lunch and it all seemed a little bit classier than we had first expected. We got the lunch (two courses) and a glass of wine for £12.95 as I usually go for the offers and I'm a sucker for anything that comes complete with a glass of wine. If you give me a shower with Elton John and a free glass of wine, I'd consider it (insert inappropriate Elton John song titles at will). The food was nice, wholesome pub food but you get the feeling this place is all about the drinks. The cocktails look fantastic and although I haven't tried any since a fateful night in the Eg where we finished a menu of cocktails and brought home our very first traffic cone... Aw the memories... Anyways, despite the decent food, it is the drink that you come here for. You can get nicer food in close proximity (I'm thinking Brights) so go there for your meal and here for your cocktails. And if you are able to drink your way through the entire menu, I'll give you your very own traffic cone.

    Vivek T.

    My mate and I popped in for a quiet cuppa coffee earlier and stayed for a couple of hours. First time here since its been done up and it looks well. I like how the dining area is enclosed on the right hand side and good spacious reception area. Great prices and fab staff!!

    The Northern Whig Menu
    Abby C.

    Food/Cost: (5) I came with my traveling companion for dinner last Tuesday. We both chose to take advantage of Whig's meal deal - 2 courses for 10 pounds. What a great deal! For 10 pounds we got to choose 2 items from 3 sections: starters, entrees, or desserts. I opted for the entree of the Haddock Risotto and a dessert of Sticky Toffee Pudding with Vanilla Ice Cream (10 pounds for both). The risotto was very good. It was flavorful -- if not too salty -- and had a great risotto texture that was creamy with a slight bite. There could have been more haddock, but the amount was satisfactory. The dessert was what blew the meal out of the proverbial water. The sticky toffee pudding was amazing; it was already moist and flavorful, but the syrup that it sat in added even more sweetness and moisture. I was left wanting more, and that was not due to a deficiency in serving size by any means. I would have given Whig the same, 5-star rating even if the food was double the price -- it was that good. Best 10 pounds I spent in Ireland for a meal. Ambiance: (5) The decor of Northern Whig is right up my alley. It's classy mix of female glitz and glamour with a bit of something reminiscent of a masculine leather lounge. The large chandeliers that hang down from the ceiling kicks everything up a notch, and the large stone statues that fill the space is unexpected yet fits. Whig feels trendy, classy, and upscale. Location: (5) Located on the corner of Bridge and Waring Streets, this restaurant was situated across from my hotel, which made it super convenient. For shoppers in the surrounding areas, from the Castle Court Shopping Center and Victoria Center, Whigs is only a short stroll away. Service: (5) Our waiter was super friendly and helpful. He was also very funny and joked with us throughout dinner. The food came out promptly after we ordered and the courses came right after each other. Perfect. Overall: (5) I couldn't have asked for a better dinner experience. I would definitely return if I lived in Belfast.

    Been here a few times for food and a couple of times from drinks. The food is good, the vibe is nice and the interior is pretty impressive. The corner spot is dead handy and on entering there's a lower seating area of sofas and low tables which are normally filled with drinkers. Up the steps is the main dining/bar area and it's hard not to be impressed with the high ceiling and huge military statues. Even though it's essentially a big square room it always seems cosy enough and pretty buzzing most times of the day. As I said anytime I've eaten there it's been pretty casual and I've found the service really good. Best thing is that even when it's busy the wait for the table is never too long plus you can get a seat and a drink while you wait. One of Belfast's underrated gems. Pros: Nice environment. Cons: Gets very busy and noisy in the run up to Xmas.

    Inside the Whig.
    Ricky M.

    Nothing as good as a free day getting the ulsterbus from Ballyclare into the city and hitting the Northern Whig for a nice cold pint. They have quite a selection of "tap" beers to choose from and the surroundings are very luxurious. Was meeting a lass for a bit of a date last week and for the first time I sampled their food. To be honest I wasn't hungry with my nerves so wasn't very adventurous when it came to eating as the Guinness was flowing down at a heck of a rate. Anyway the lady friend had a salad which she enjoyed and I just took a starter which was soup....mushroom and Blue Stilton Cheese no less! The most adventurous I usually am with soup consists of plain old chicken. However it was quite nice and surprised myself to be truthful. The waitress who tended us was friendly and we didn't have to go to the bar once as she kept the drinks flowing on request. The final bill scared me a little bit but anywhere in the city centre you are sure to pay a shilling or two for a day out. They had a dress code which I'm told is pretty strict but my ink was covered and I only broke the rules by wearing trainers (which are quite trendy looking if I may say so) but this wasn't frowned upon by staff or even late on when the doorman came in he didn't mention the strict dress code. Good day/evening out and we enjoyed it so much that we didn't venture anywhere else in Belfast. Thumbs up!

    The bramble  :(
    Clare P.

    Went here for the first time since it has been refurbished...decor is nice, looks a bit like a few other bars I've been In but it makes such a difference. It brightens the place up. Unfortunately on this particular evening it lacked atmosphere and I wasn't too impressed with the cocktails. I ordered a bramble and it arrived in a very small glass, to get the berry taste they had used a syrup. It just wasnt worth the money. Maybe if they threw in some real fruit it may have looked more appealing and probably taste better. The staff seemed in good form and looked like they enjoyed what they do. We didn't bother to stay for another drink..won't hurry back.

    Magz G.

    The Whig really is one of the trendiest funkiest bars in Belfast! Its situated a stone's thro away from the City centre and is alays buzzing at the weekend and ofthen during the week too! They specialise in awesome cocktails with special offers on pitchers (so good!) and the bar is well stocked with all the favourites! I love the decor, it has a boudoir feel with a strangeness about it (mainly the hige statues in the middle of the place) but these add to its quirky charm. There is a balcony area with its own bar which can be hired for functions and looks out over the rest of the pub. The food is really quite good and is always busy! The menu is extensive and each dish sounds even better than its predassessor. I would most definately reccommed the duck walnut salad starter!! so good! The atmosphere is generally, young, loud and lively with DJ's present at the weekends! Definately a great place to go with your mates if you're looking for a good night out in the town!

    Jules S.

    I've always loved the interior here at the Whig, especially the lights over the bar and the massive communist-esque statue. While the front part of the bar by the windows has become a little jaded, feeling more like a waiting room, the rest of the place remains the same. I don't know if this is a good thing, as the clientèle seems to have dropped a little in number and style over the years, but for a drink and a pretty decent mid-week meal deal, the Whig is grand. It would never be my first choice, but it wouldn't be my last either, mainly because of the statues, after all, a good night is all about the company. For this area though there are so many better bars round the corner on Skipper Street/ Commercial Court.

    Nice chandeliers

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    11 years ago

    Northern whig bar is defo a great place to visit the staff and doormen are fab would recommend this place every time

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    18 years ago

    Great food and cocktails. Try and get a seat upstairs, you can people watch in peace.

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    18 years ago

    A lively atmosphere & a mixed crowd. Staff are friendly & interior nice. Good for a night out.

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    Muriel's

    Muriel's

    4.4(53 reviews)
    0.1 miCity 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.

    Photos
    Muriel's
    Muriel's - Muriel's (exterior)

    Muriel's (exterior)

    Muriel's - Prosecco is great here as well as gin :-)

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    Prosecco is great here as well as gin :-)

    Ritas

    Ritas

    4.5(15 reviews)
    0.4 miCity 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.

    Photos
    Ritas - Enjoying a selection of cocktails with Nicola S & Caroline S

    Enjoying a selection of cocktails with Nicola S & Caroline S

    Ritas
    Ritas - If Hollister did bars - Very dark and expensive. Looks cool though!

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    If Hollister did bars - Very dark and expensive. Looks cool though!

    The Perch - Lemon meringue and watermelon sugar

    The Perch

    3.8(35 reviews)
    0.4 miCity 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.

    Photos
    The Perch - Sex on the beach jug

    Sex on the beach jug

    The Perch
    The Perch - The Largarita

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    The Largarita

    The Muddlers Club - Clementine, honeycomb, and yogurt

    The Muddlers Club

    4.9(14 reviews)
    0.1 miThe 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.

    Photos
    The Muddlers Club - Bread

    Bread

    The Muddlers Club - Venison Carpaccio

    Venison Carpaccio

    The Muddlers Club - Filet

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    Filet

    Northern Whig - cocktailbars - Updated May 2026

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