Quick info
About Harp Bar
On Hill St in Belfast, Harp Bar is a pub split across multiple bars, with a rear hall given over to live music and a separate red hall set aside for conversation. A guitarist and singer perform as part of the live music offering, while the red hall gives an alternative for anyone wanting to talk without competing with the sound. Furnishings run to red upholstery and leather throughout, and seating is arranged around the different bars. Entry is on a walk-in basis, with door staff at the entrance. The venue can get crowded and difficult to move through on Fridays and Saturdays. Two toilets sit in separate parts of the building, reflecting the layout across its various rooms.
Good to know
- ParkingUsually difficult to find a space
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, restroom
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention live music, separate red hall, beautiful decor and busy weekend crowds.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention live music, separate red hall, beautiful decor and busy weekend crowds.
Customer Review Summary
Live music is what reviewers return to most, with a guitarist and singer in the rear room and a band in the dark hall drawing singing and dancing, especially on Saturdays and Valentine's night. Close behind is the setting, described as a beautiful bar with comfortable seating, and several reviewers praise friendly staff even when it is busy. One reviewer prefers it to the Duke of York around the corner for feeling more manageable, and the red hall gets singled out as the place for conversation. The caveats are crowding and cost. Reviewers describe it as extremely busy and hard to move to and from the bar, and a few call prices a little high. One reviewer says the dark hall is noisy and smells of spilled beer, and notes that Hophouse 13 is no longer served and Bass is not stocked despite the Bass memorabilia on the walls. Service is called hit and miss by one, who found the bartender inexperienced while the floor staff were professional. One reviewer says they ended up staying all night after a football do.
Customer Review Summary
Live music is what reviewers return to most, with a guitarist and singer in the rear room and a band in the dark hall drawing singing and dancing, especially on Saturdays and Valentine's night. Close behind is the setting, described as a beautiful bar with comfortable seating, and several reviewers praise friendly staff even when it is busy. One reviewer prefers it to the Duke of York around the corner for feeling more manageable, and the red hall gets singled out as the place for conversation. The caveats are crowding and cost. Reviewers describe it as extremely busy and hard to move to and from the bar, and a few call prices a little high. One reviewer says the dark hall is noisy and smells of spilled beer, and notes that Hophouse 13 is no longer served and Bass is not stocked despite the Bass memorabilia on the walls. Service is called hit and miss by one, who found the bartender inexperienced while the floor staff were professional. One reviewer says they ended up staying all night after a football do.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“A few big bars in there. Plenty of comfortable seating too. Service was great. Definitely a must visit if you're in the area.”
- Google user
“Fantastic bar with great live music and beautiful decor. The staff were very friendly and although prices are a little high, it’s well worth it for the experience.”
- Google user
“Pricey. The atmosphere is decided to a large extent by the band that is playing in the dark hall. The dark hall is very noisy and stinks of spilled beer. For a conversation, use the red hall - this is what you see through the windows from the outside. Two toilets in different parts of the venue, which is very useful on crowded Fridays and Saturdays. They have stopped serving Hophouse 13, sadly. And they do not serve Bass beer despite plenty of Bass paraphernalia on walls.”
- Google user
“The Harp Bar has a great atmosphere and feels much more manageable than the Duke of York just around the corner. It’s still lively, but without the same level of crowding, which makes it easier to actually enjoy. The live music really adds to the experience and gives the place a strong, authentic vibe. A great option nice drink and time to relax without being packed.”
- Google user
“What a great bar. Went there for a football do. Ended up in there all night. Amazing music, maze and band”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“Stylish pub with plush decor of red furnishings and leather, plus a regular live music calendar.”
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Live music
- Live performances
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Alcohol
- Cozy
- Beer
- Dancing
- Restroom
Show more amenities
- Trendy
- Groups
- Usually difficult to find a space
- Highlights· 4
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Live music
- Live performances
- Offerings· 3
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Atmosphere· 1
- Casual
- Crowd· 1
- Tourists
- Accessibility· 1
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Location
Bars near Harp Bar
- The Dirty Onion and Yardbird4.45,9300 mi
ribs and wings, gravy fries, live music
- The Cloth Ear4.31,7140.1 mi£20–50ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
braised lamb, fish and chips, sunday roast
- McHughs Bar & Restaurant4.43,1670.2 mi£15–30ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
traditional Irish stew, live Irish music, Guinness
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harp BarWheelchair accessible | 4.53,402 | — | £10–40 | live music, separate red hall, beautiful decor |
| The Dirty Onion and Yardbird | 4.45,930 | 0 mi | — | ribs and wings, gravy fries, live music |
| The Cloth EarReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.31,714 | 0.1 mi | £20–50 | braised lamb, fish and chips, sunday roast |
| McHughs Bar & RestaurantReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.43,167 | 0.2 mi | £15–30 | traditional Irish stew, live Irish music, Guinness |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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