Lonely Planet has released a long-awaited list of their Top 20 best pubs and bars across Ireland. Three popular Northern Ireland pubs have made the list.
With more than 7000 pubs across the island of Ireland, the team at Lonely Planet has narrowed their list of the best watering holes on the Emerald Isle down to just 20, with three popular Northern Ireland pubs making the cut.
It’s no surprise that these popular Northern Ireland pubs make the Top 20 pubs in Ireland list. They seem to have made the list for their great pints, music, and generally for just being good craic bars.
Sunflower Public House – class beer garden and trad music
Sunflower Public House in Belfast City Centre has unsurprisingly joined the list of Top 20 best pubs in Ireland.
The Lonely Planet list described it as a “simple pub”. That’s definitely part of the charm of why people love it here.
Another part of the charm is the history of The Troubles that comes along with the pub in the form of the cage at the entrance.
The bar was attacked many times throughout that dark time in our history. The cage still stands today as a relic.
With an incredible drinks menu, trad music flowing throughout the week, and an incomparable beer garden complete with a pizza oven, it’s no surprise that The Sunflower bar is one of the three popular Northern Ireland pubs to make the list.
Address: 65 Union St, Belfast BT1 2JG
The Duke of York – picturesque pub on a cobbled alley
The Duke of York is the second Belfast pub to make the Top 20 pubs in Ireland list. The Cathedral Quarter bar is a staple in the bar scene in Belfast.
The list highlights its “original mirrors and memorabilia inside”, something that is a massive hit with locals and tourists alike.
When you take a walk down the beautiful alley that the pub sits on, now decked out with fairy lights and murals that add to its charm, you won’t be hard-pressed to find someone taking a picture for the gram! Who can blame them, it is beautiful.
Address: 7-11 Commercial Ct, Belfast BT1 2NB
Blakes of the Hollow – the pub with the Game of Thrones carved door
The final Northern Ireland pub to make the Top 20 pubs in Ireland list is Blakes of the Hollow in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh.
Blakes of the Hollow made the list because they’re known to pour a great pint and an Irish coffee, as well as having great live music sessions.
It is one of the most famous and well-recognised Victorian pubs in Ireland. No visit here would be complete without checking out and snapping a picture with the Game of Thrones carved door.
Address: 6 Church St, Enniskillen BT74 7EJ
Well, that’s it. Three popular Northern Ireland pubs make the Top 20 pubs in Ireland list. Do you think there are any other great Northern Ireland pubs that deserved to make the list?
