The Bridge Bar & Restaurant
Quick info
About The Bridge Bar & Restaurant
On Bridge Rd in Ballymena, The Bridge Bar & Restaurant is a bar and grill with a restaurant menu and live music on weekends. The outdoor area includes a bouncing castle for kids during events, alongside outdoor seating for those who prefer to eat outside. High chairs are available for families with young children, and the entrance is step-free for visitors with mobility needs. Open fires are on site, and the bar runs draft options alongside the food menu. The venue hosts large family gatherings and parties, including birthday celebrations. It opens Friday to Sunday and stays closed the rest of the week, with reservations recommended given the range of groups it accommodates.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree of charge street parking · Free parking lot · Parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible car park · Wheelchair-accessible entrance · Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs · Kids' menu
Menu & Prices
44 dishes · mains £2–30- CHEF'S SOUP Of The DAY£5.95
- SALT 'N' CHILLI CHICKEN WINGS£6.95
- DEEP FRIED BRIE£6.95
- BATTERED MUSHROOM£6.95
- CHEESY CIABATTA GARLIC BREAD£5.95
- CHICKEN LIVER PARFAIT£7.95
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention family celebrations/parties, live weekend music, recent decor revamp and outdoor bouncing castle for kids.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention family celebrations/parties, live weekend music, recent decor revamp and outdoor bouncing castle for kids.
Customer Review Summary
Food comes up as the consistent draw, with reviewers repeatedly calling it exceptional and terrific value, often mentioned alongside family celebrations and birthday parties held there. Close behind, the atmosphere earns steady praise, from the open fires and live music at weekends to a recent revamp that several diners note made the space feel new, plus a bouncing castle added for kids during a relaunch. Staff are described as friendly and helpful by most, with one large family gathering singling out the support given in organizing a 90th birthday party. A couple of reviews break sharply from this pattern: one reviewer reports waiting over thirty minutes for a beer and describes the owner as rude, and another describes staff struggling to manage an event and feeling unwelcome as an outsider. Otherwise, the recurring picture is of full, happy diners returning for family gatherings and weekend live music.
Customer Review Summary
Food comes up as the consistent draw, with reviewers repeatedly calling it exceptional and terrific value, often mentioned alongside family celebrations and birthday parties held there. Close behind, the atmosphere earns steady praise, from the open fires and live music at weekends to a recent revamp that several diners note made the space feel new, plus a bouncing castle added for kids during a relaunch. Staff are described as friendly and helpful by most, with one large family gathering singling out the support given in organizing a 90th birthday party. A couple of reviews break sharply from this pattern: one reviewer reports waiting over thirty minutes for a beer and describes the owner as rude, and another describes staff struggling to manage an event and feeling unwelcome as an outsider. Otherwise, the recurring picture is of full, happy diners returning for family gatherings and weekend live music.
Featured reviews
- Wild Flower
“Had an event out back and staff couldnt cope, if you're not local you're not welcome”
- Aodhán Neeson
“Food is amazing service is great and there is always music on weekends atmosphere is always amazing”
- Catherine Armstrong
“Good variety on menu. Great food and friendly staff”
- Michael McMullan
“No visit to the area is complete with a visit to The Bridge. Always a fantastic welcome from, some would say a classically handsome young man behind the bar, and a great range of drinks available from a well stocked bar. Varied, well priced and proper draft options as well. Food is terrific and tremendous value and the place is perfect for big family gatherings, a quiet drink and everything in between. Ticks all the boxes and I cant wait to get back and visit Alan and the team.”
- Dmytro Denysiuk (Felicks)
“Worth bar ever seen, owner was very rude and we was waiting for beer more then 30 minutes. Never come back there and definitely not recommend for any one.”
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- Closed
- Thursday
- Closed
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
- Bar games
- Fireplace
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Free of charge street parking
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Takeaway
Show more amenities
- Dine-in
- Family friendly
- Bar on site
- Casual
- Beer
- Coffee
- Offerings· 11
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Dancing
- Food
- Food at bar
- Free water refills
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Spirits
- Wine
- Atmosphere· 2
- Cosy
- Trendy
- Parking· 2
- Free parking lot
- Parking
- Highlights· 11
- Bar games
- Fireplace
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Great wine list
- Karaoke
- Live music
- Live performances
- Sport
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
- Dining options· 7
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
- Outside food allowed
- Seating
- Table service
- Facilities· 1
- Toilet
- Accessibility· 3
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Family-friendly· 3
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
Location
Restaurants near The Bridge Bar & Restaurant
- The Crispy Cod4.31849.1 mi away
cod and chips, long wait times, gravy chips
- Nice 'n Spicy3.8549.4 mi away£10–20
doner on chips, mixed kebab on naan, curries
- Crave Kitchen4.2599.4 mi awayGood for kids
chicken dishes, build your own fry, salmon with sundried tomato
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Bridge Bar & RestaurantOutdoor seating · Good for kids · Reservations | 4.6137 | — | £15–30 | family celebrations/parties, live weekend music, recent decor revamp |
| The Crispy Cod | 4.3184 | 9.1 mi away | — | cod and chips, long wait times, gravy chips |
| Nice 'n Spicy | 3.854 | 9.4 mi away | £10–20 | doner on chips, mixed kebab on naan, curries |
| Crave KitchenGood for kids | 4.259 | 9.4 mi away | — | chicken dishes, build your own fry, salmon with sundried tomato |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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