McHugh's, Belfast

Very traditional pub housed in two adjoining buildings of very different appearance. Various seating areas, including a mezzanine and a large front patio area. Three real ales on handpump, including two from Whitewater - Belfast Ale and Hoppelhammer IPA (£3.90) - and Shepherd Neame's seasonal Frosty Glow all the way from Kent. Well worth the walk out from the city centre.

Official site of McHugh's - www.mchughsbar.com

Official site of McHugh's - www.mchughsbar.com

A beautiful old, traditional style pub, in a building dating back to 1711 which claims to be the the oldest building in Belfast (although White's Tavern, from 1630, claims to be the oldest pub). The main bar has open fires and is decorated with paintings of scenes from the city's history, chess pieces resembling local historical figures and newspaper front pages reporting the paramilitary ceasefires. There is live music most nights and a separate restaurant upstairs. Unlike previous reviewers, I enjoyed a perfect pint of one of the local Belfast real ales. You should definitely include this place, along with White's and The Crown, in any city pub crawl.

Two distinct frontages, one old one new, that lead to the same bar with restaurant upstairs. Has claims as one of Belfast's oldest but seems quite modern. Interesting display of two Belfast News front pages from 1994 reporting ceasefires from Republican and Unionist viewpoints. Two real ale pumps but only one in use, Mayflower.

Interesting old looking bar with a dark characterful interior of bareboards, and wood panelling, the upstairs restaurant is more modern in style. Interesting art work and old newspapers on the walls, candles on tables in one part of the downstairs bar, seating on chairs with a central vertical drinking area by the central bar, I also noticed a stool constructed of cog wheels and a crankshaft. Mainly keg beers served by on the ball young staff, the only ale being Whitewater Belfast Ale on handpump in reasonable condition. Punters wewre mainly youngish with a few middle aged couples.