Quick info
About The American Bar
The American Bar sits on Dock St in Belfast, a pub near the ferry terminals with a kitchen downstairs and a lounge upstairs for live music. Saturday afternoon sessions and Sunday sessions bring bands to the upstairs room, with food carried up from the kitchen below. Guinness is a recurring order at the counter, and customers are welcome to bring in food from Benny's Cafe next door. The beer garden out the back adds further seating alongside the space inside. It operates walk-in, with no reservations taken. The hours run on a limited pattern, open Wednesdays and closed the rest of the week, while food service has run from 4pm on the days the kitchen is open. Seating covers both the indoor rooms and the garden, giving a choice of settings across the two floors of the building.
Good to know
- ParkingFree street parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, restroom
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Menu & Prices
20 dishes- Guinness Stout
- Cider
- Friendly Bar Staff
- Pulled Pork
- Kozel
- Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention guinness pints, live music upstairs, bring-your-own food and beer garden.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention guinness pints, live music upstairs, bring-your-own food and beer garden.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the Guinness, calling it phenomenal and the best one diner has tasted, with several praising the pints as reasonably priced. Close behind is the live music, including gigs in the upstairs lounge, Saturday and Sunday sessions, and one reviewer's evening watching a band play upstairs. Signature drinks and margaritas also earn praise, along with a kitchen serving vegetarian options and pub picky bits. Several mention the friendly, chatty staff and the cozy atmosphere, with space both inside and out, including a newer beer garden. A few note they can bring in meals from nearby spots, including the cafe next door. One reviewer says a vegetarian dish was forgotten and then burnt, and the bar gave a full refund for it straight away. That refund is the detail that stays with that diner.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the Guinness, calling it phenomenal and the best one diner has tasted, with several praising the pints as reasonably priced. Close behind is the live music, including gigs in the upstairs lounge, Saturday and Sunday sessions, and one reviewer's evening watching a band play upstairs. Signature drinks and margaritas also earn praise, along with a kitchen serving vegetarian options and pub picky bits. Several mention the friendly, chatty staff and the cozy atmosphere, with space both inside and out, including a newer beer garden. A few note they can bring in meals from nearby spots, including the cafe next door. One reviewer says a vegetarian dish was forgotten and then burnt, and the bar gave a full refund for it straight away. That refund is the detail that stays with that diner.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Love this place! My favourite pub in Belfast. Great food, very reasonably priced, Wednesdays through Sunday. A regular”
- Google user
“Top place! Delicious signature drinks, pleasant music and very sincere staff. I recommend !!!”
- Google user
“Great bar, nice buzz, wide selection of drinks + friendly, courteous staff. Margaritas were great 🔥 Food was excellent overall, solid vegetarian options also (unfortunately one item was forgotten about, then got burnt BUT, they solved this professionally + immediately by giving a full refund for that dish as they served it!). You don't get that many places.”
- Google user
“Pub picky bits 10/10 can’t wait to go back and get some more 🥰🥰”
- Google user
“Probably one of my favourite Belfast pubs. Don’t let the name deceive you ! Phenomenal Guinness and most wonderful atmosphere. Welcoming, cozy, affordable. Owner is very kind and informative and will absolutely be returning here soon !!”
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Closed
- Friday
- Closed
- Saturday
- Closed
- Sunday
- Closed
Highlights
“American Bar is home to The Grateful Bread and the creamiest pints”
- Great beer selection
- Live music
- Live performances
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Free street parking
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Dine-in
- Food at bar
Show more amenities
- Cozy
- Beer
- Food
- Live music
- Solo dining
- Restroom
- Offerings· 4
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Highlights· 2
- Great beer selection
- Live performances
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
- Dining options· 1
- Seating
- Atmosphere· 2
- Casual
- Trendy
- Accessibility· 1
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Location
Bars near The American Bar
- Harp Bar4.53,4020.5 mi£10–40Wheelchair accessible
live music, separate red hall, beautiful decor
- The Dirty Onion and Yardbird4.45,9300.5 mi
ribs and wings, gravy fries, live music
- McHughs Bar & Restaurant4.43,1670.5 mi£15–30ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
traditional Irish stew, live Irish music, Guinness
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The American BarWheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.6737 | — | £10–20 | guinness pints, live music upstairs, bring-your-own food |
| Harp BarWheelchair accessible | 4.53,402 | 0.5 mi | £10–40 | live music, separate red hall, beautiful decor |
| The Dirty Onion and Yardbird | 4.45,930 | 0.5 mi | — | ribs and wings, gravy fries, live music |
| McHughs Bar & RestaurantReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.43,167 | 0.5 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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