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Bittles Bar, Belfast
Belfast
BT1 4LG
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about Bittles Bar
Bittles is a small no nonsense wedge shaped bar with raised seating in the wedge end. The small serving counter is found to the left of the entrance and I ended up sitting at a tiny table against the front of the bar as all the other tables were being used. It felt a bit weird, but heigh-ho when in Rome, or Belfast. Standard and premium keg was available as well as Beavertown. A sign on the bar said the due to Brexit and the Northern Ireland protocol half pints of Guinness wouldn’t be served. This is of course utter bollox, but made the governor an extra couple quid from muggins here!
Up on the walls are lots of Irish whisky bottles and also a couple of large paintings and other bits and bobs that make the walls look very busy. I didn’t see a television, but some background music was playing. I thought the governor was polite enough in a ‘don’t feck with me’ kind of way and the locals were all in jubilant mood. This was the second bar I visited during my stay in Belfast, and it was certainly one of the best.
On 22nd September 2022
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5251 recommendations about 5219 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Bittles Bar
An extreme version of the ‘anvil shape’ both outside and in. It’s a wee bar, not a huge amount of seating to be had so time your visit. Matey who runs the place has been there years and is known as a bit of a character – indeed he was about to close-up 40 mins before time and only let us in as long as we were ‘quick’, though brilliantly we were then slipstreamed by another half a dozen people who he also had to let in, though didn’t seem over-happy about it! To compensate, he left the door propped open on what was a chilly and breezy night. Internally it’s a split level place in red and white, with a lot of contemporary (and often caustic) artwork depicting the Troubles, Peace Process and their central characters involved – these in themselves make it well-worth the price of a beer. Other stuff included a lot of positive messages about mental health, a gorgeous Art Deco ‘sunburst’ backlit coloured inset behind the bar and lots of whisky behind lattice fronted cupboards. Beer-wise, look beyond the fairly dull draft (no cask here) and into the fridge where beers from Ards, Whitewater, Macivors, McGrath and Hilden lurk. I had a bottle of Ards Brewing Blackwood, which was fine. Quirky place that’s worthy of a place on your crawl list.
On 17th February 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about Bittles Bar
Walked down here to go to the Kitchen Bar which is over the road. This looked far more interesting, so headed in.
They don't seem to do real ale in NI - but they do have a fine collection of Irish Whiskies in here.
1 regular - the rest tourists. Myself included
On 30th October 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1338 recommendations about 1324 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Bittles Bar
Very distinctive building, formed of such a pointed wedge shape that even the bar at the far end can hardly be called wide. Compact split-level layout, with traditional furniture and decor and paintings of local (if not artistic) interest. No real ale, but interesting keg beers includes Whitewater Hoppelhammer, MacArdles and the local College Green Belfast Blonde (£3.95) and there is a great selection of bottled ales and whiskeys. Well worth seeking out.
On 27th July 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about Bittles Bar
A proper locals bar in the city centre with a bunch of regulars leaning on the bar, a few shoppers and us two tourists. It's an unusual anvil shaped building similar to the Baltic Fleet in Liverpool. The ornate bar is at the wide end and there are a couple of raised areas up a few steps. Paintings from local artists of very variable quality around the walls. I have a 4 year old in my class at school who could paint that better quoth Ms CAMRA. Apparently has over 100 whiskys available, it also has a good selection of bottled beers, but sadly no cask ale. There was a strange antiseptic smell in the bar when we called in, probably some kind of floor cleaning fluid which wasn't very pleasant. However my pint of Guinness was good as was the other halfs cider, so all in all a decent enough bar.
On 1st May 2011
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3224 recommendations about 3135 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Clive Thompson left this review about Bittles Bar
A traditional Irish bar and on reflection one of my favourites in Belfast. It's very small being at the tip of an iron shaped building but there's plenty of character packed in. The landlord John was always buzzing around chatting to customers recommending beers and making sure everyone, locals and visitors, were OK. There is no cask ale but they do have a range of bottled beers including many from local breweries - try Molly's Chocolate Stout or Headless Dog from the College Green Brewery. Also serves an excellent Irish Stew. The bar has an arty theme with paintings and drawings of famous Irishmen by local artists.
On 1st June 2008
- rating: 9
[User has posted 777 recommendations about 697 pubs]