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Sweet Afton Bar & Kitchen

4.2 (36 reviews)
ModerateCocktail Bars
Open 12:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

Sweet Afton Bar & Kitchen Photos

SWEET AFTON BAR & KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

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

Recommended Reviews - Sweet Afton Bar & Kitchen

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Reviews With Photos

Kids burger.

Great service. My kid got a kid's burger. It was great. I had soup of day and wax good too. Great atmosphere, bar looks cool too. It was our one day visit in Belfast so I was happy we stopped here.

Menu
Daniel L.

The atmosphere and the decor is awesome. The menu is limited and not too bad. We had chargrilled chicken breast tagliatelle, fish & Chips, and the pan seared salmon. The chicken breast tagliatelle was fair while the large portion of fish & chips was tasty and not too greasy. The salmon dish was served with mashed potato's formed into a tower-presentation was well done. Although the pub was noisy, it really didn't matter because everyone seemed to enjoy the fútbol and cheering. It was crowded so it gave us a good sense that we did miss out on a local favorite.

Delicious cold draft Guinness!
Nicole F.

Cozy, warm, dark Irish pub! Discovered via "A Taste of Belfast", it was a great recommendation. Yes they take reservations and yes I recommend a reservation. Every table was taken and it was standing room only unless you could get a seat at the bar. We all had a delicious cold Guinness! Would definitely come back and check out this little joint again.

Stevie M.

Sweet Afton is Belfast's newest swanky cocktail bar and dinner destination. As soon as the doors swing open and you step foot inside Sweet Afton you immediately feel comfortable, whether that's due to the low level lighting or the friendly greeting you get from the apron clad staff I'm not sure? But either way it's a really nice feeling. The bar itself feels like a classy 1920's cocktail club in the heart of Manhattan rather than one in Belfast. The booths and table lamps make a perfect setting for a date or a business meeting, if you're feeling intimate. The food menu is much better and cheaper than I expected. Lunches start at around £7 and you can also get bar snack for £4.95 including my personal favourite, buffalo chicken wings. Unfortunately I was only in on a flying visit toady and didn't get to try their cocktails (which look amazing) but don't worry I plan to put that right very soon. Sweet Afton marks is another bar that is helping Belfast compete on the global stage, I'd be more than happy to pit it against any UK counterparts in the 'cool' stakes alone.

Sweet Afton
Ciara S.

I'm not a fan of The Perch or Rita's, thus was expecting to dislike Sweet Afton. All these bars have the same owner, therefore I was dubious about visiting, thinking it wouldn't be to my taste. But I loved Sweet Afton. It's one of the most beautiful bars I've seen in a long time. Dark wood, soft lighting and luxurious atmosphere. We visited on an early Wednesday evening. It was relatively quiet with just a few other people about which was nice as we wanted a quiet, relaxed drink. The crowd were a mix of different age groups, staff lovely and drinks delicious. We loved it so much we ended up staying for numerous cocktails followed by a cheeseboard and couple of glasses of Malbec! Cocktails are not cheap, ringing in at around £8 or £9 each, but they're soooooo good. I loved The Matron of Edgar House cocktail, a twist on a Porn Star Martini. It is without doubt THE BEST cocktail I've ever tasted. The cheeseboard was good too with a generous amount of red onion chutney. I often end up asking for more chutney or biscuits to finish off a cheeseboard but Sweet Afton got the portions spot on. Plus the frozen grapes on the cheeseboard were devine, a fabulous palate cleanser. Accompanying Malbec was perfect. There was table service when we visited, though this may not be the case on a busy Friday or Saturday night. My only small criticism is that it took quite a while for our cocktails to be made, plus our cheeseboard arrived before our Malbec and we had to remind our server we'd ordered wine. So I'm not sure how they'll fare on a busier evening. Irrelevant of this I loved Sweet Afton and cannot wait to return for more cocktails and to sample the food menu. For me it's definitely Belfast's best new bar. Bravo!

P B.

Negatives: they are few, but important, it's almost impossible to get a drink even on a Sunday afternoon when 2 staff are busy making nonstop cocktails. Prices, menu looks great and value, wine list also, but the bar, really £5.20 for a bottle of Franziskaner? This isn't exclusive stuff, it's everywhere and usually from £3 upwards, ah but why drink it then? Because the tap selection is limited to fairly awful Diageo/ Guinness products, everything else in the fridge is similarly priced, rant over!! Positives: it's a beautiful bar, really well put together, and their menu. Hmm, will I be back, it's just not my thing I'm afraid, but I have no doubt it will be a major success and that's as it should be, horses for courses etc etc etc

Úna R.

Having time on a Friday before getting a later train we decided to pop in for one for the road (which turned into 2). It was my second time here and I would go back. It is a busy place yet the bar staff are quick to serve, even when serving cocktails and, there is a great after work buzz about. They also have a good collection of local craft ciders and beers. I had an Angry Orchard and he had a Hophouse, all in properly branded glasses and mine was in one from the freezer which is a great touch plus kept it cold. For the second he had an angry orchard (no cold glass this time) and I had an expresso martini which was really yummy and better than a lot I have had in the past. Would definitely recommend although hard to get a seat there are enough areas you can perch yourself against to chatter away.

Wise words
Katherine R.

A brand spanking new bar for Belfast, can't be more than a month old, and I have to say I really liked it. Part of the Rita's, Perch, China White complex, you can tell they put a lot of through into making each of their bars different and something for everyone. The interiors were dark and plush with plenty of mood lighting, the music was like old school soul, and not over bearing and the bar staff were friendly when you eventually got served, unfortunately it took ages, clearly everyone wanted to try their fancy cocktails, and they took ages to make. I tried a couple myself, the "6 O'clock swill" was a favourite of mine. I was there for my big 30 and my party filled one of the booths up the stairs and stayed there the rest of the night. They also serve bar snacks, the menu looked tasty, hopefully we'll get another run at it and go there for food next time! I'm only marking it down as it was so slow to get served!

Fiona S.

New bar on the block! (Located in old Irene and nans) certainly doesn't seem like the same place. Total refurb, doesn't have the same crowd(in my opinion) I wouldn't have went to I&Ns as it was quite rough but it seems to have a more relaxed crowd around 30+ It's quite dressy and hard to get served at weekends but that's the same anywhere with a cocktail list. I have had their lovely cocktails before and they didn't disappoint. We opted for a bottle of wine as didn't want to spend the night waiting to get served. I would recommend going around 8.30/9 if you'd like a table.

Nice layout
Adam C.

Although Sweet Afton is a primarily a cocktail bar I found it to be a charming lunch time destination. Last week I made my first visit and was surprised by their offerings. They have a lunch time express menu which is ideal for me. I ended up going for a Salted Beef and Cream Cheese Bagel along with a side of fries. It was all served up promptly and to an excellent standard. I'm looking forward to going back to Sweet Afton for an evening of beverages! But for lunch it's ideal for City Centre workers. I'd make a safe be that I'll be back to try something else from their express menu.

Keri S.

This was my favorite dinner from the two weeks I spent in Ireland. The Lemon Sole and Roast were both amazing. I can't remember the names of the appetizers we ordered but they were delicious too.

Zoë C.

Im in love! This is my kind of place. Lovely inviting doors to welcome you in. The bar is filled with gorgeous aromas from burning incense. Lots of really comfortable arm chairs surrounded by old books to settle into while sipping on a delicious cocktail or 2. Can't wait to return and sample the food menu . A+

Caroline S.

Gorgeous bar which reminds me of the great Sherlock Holmes (it's a pity Benedict Cumberbatch is not here!). Lovely laid back atmosphere, friendly staff and nice mixed crowd. Absolutely Fabulous and the cocktails are amazing.

8 years of friendship... great spot xx

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10 months ago

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6 months ago

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9 months ago

Great food! Had Guinness Stew and Steak sandwich. Large portions so you won't leave hungry.

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9 years ago

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4 years ago

Good service, very good food. Old building. Ate there twice both times excellent. Recommend their burger. .

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5 years ago

We had a good time here in its cozy, relaxing interior and atmosphere. Had a few decent bites and drinks.

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11 years ago

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7 years ago

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10 years ago

Lovely bar. Great staff and brilliant cocktails. Especially look out for Alan thr barman he's a marvel. Very busy and great atmosphere.

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7 years ago

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11 years ago

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10 years ago

Lovely cocktails and a nice relaxed atmosphere, with fire place! Always a plus.

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Review Highlights - Sweet Afton Bar & Kitchen

Irrelevant of this I loved Sweet Afton and cannot wait to return for more cocktails and to sample the food menu.

Mentioned in 4 reviews

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Town Square - The Dirty Dipper

Town Square

4.5(48 reviews)
0.5 mi
££

Came here for dinner while visiting Belfast. I was initially disappointed as none of the food I had…read moreseen on yelp, which is what made me want to come here, was being served as their menu rotates (definitely check the menu on their website rather than going by Yelp). It was all bar snacks opposed to the actual dishes you see in the yelp pictures. However, I did end up enjoying the food nonetheless. We ordered the sweet chili stack fries which were really good and also the halloumi and cali fish tacos. I preferred the halloumi, my boyfriend preferred the fish. I got a passionfruit capirinha and my boyfriend got an apple cider, both were really good. Overall it was good, but if you're looking for something other than a burger or bar snacks, this isn't the place.

Came here on my first night in Ireland with friends. We were able to get a table quickly, and…read moreorder. The drinks came quickly and the servers were fantastic! They were really funny and witty and helped us pick out items on the menu. We couldn't order from our phones because we didn't have a number that could receive sms messages to setup the account on our phones, which wasn't a big deal. My vegetarian friend got a veggie burger that he liked and the server said they had just added it to the menu that day. The fries were great and crispy, and everyone liked their sandwiches (some got burgers, some got chicken sandwiches).

Photos
Town Square - Menabrea on draught.

Menabrea on draught.

Town Square - Fish Fillet Burger

Fish Fillet Burger

Town Square - Mac & Cheese

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Mac & Cheese

Ritas

Ritas

4.5(15 reviews)
0.1 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(34 reviews)
0.0 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.

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The Perch - Sex on the beach jug

Sex on the beach jug

The Perch
The Perch - The Largarita

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The Largarita

Sweet Afton Bar & Kitchen - cocktailbars - Updated May 2026

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