The American Bar
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.
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention guinness, live music gigs, margaritas and pub picky bits.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention guinness, live music gigs, margaritas and pub picky bits.
Customer Review Summary
Guinness draws the most praise here, repeatedly called the best reviewers have had, alongside live music sessions upstairs (Saturday and Sunday sessions, and one night watching Jet Black Tulips play) that keep people returning. Close behind is the food, from pub picky bits to vegetarian options and solid margaritas, with several noting it's reasonably priced and that the kitchen now runs limited afternoon hours through the week. Multiple reviewers mention bringing in meals from a nearby cafe when the kitchen wasn't open, and staff let this happen without issue. One reviewer describes an order that was forgotten and came out burnt, but the bar gave a full refund on the spot. Friendly, chatty staff and a cozy, welcoming atmosphere come up again and again, along with a beer garden added out back that doubled the space. Several call it a regular hangout and say they'll be back.
Customer Review Summary
Guinness draws the most praise here, repeatedly called the best reviewers have had, alongside live music sessions upstairs (Saturday and Sunday sessions, and one night watching Jet Black Tulips play) that keep people returning. Close behind is the food, from pub picky bits to vegetarian options and solid margaritas, with several noting it's reasonably priced and that the kitchen now runs limited afternoon hours through the week. Multiple reviewers mention bringing in meals from a nearby cafe when the kitchen wasn't open, and staff let this happen without issue. One reviewer describes an order that was forgotten and came out burnt, but the bar gave a full refund on the spot. Friendly, chatty staff and a cozy, welcoming atmosphere come up again and again, along with a beer garden added out back that doubled the space. Several call it a regular hangout and say they'll be back.
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
Good to know
“American Bar is home to The Grateful Bread and the creamiest pints”
- ReservationsWalk-in only
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, restroom
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
Show more amenities
- Accessibility· 1
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Location
Bars near The American Bar
- Harp Bar4.53,4020.5 miWheelchair accessible
live music, red hall vs dark hall, hophouse 13 unavailable
- McHughs Bar & Restaurant4.43,1600.5 mi
irish stew, fish and chips, guinness
- 0.7 mi
rump steak on skillet, tomahawk steak, beef & guinness pie
| Place | Rating | Distance | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| The American BarWheelchair accessible | 4.6733 | — | guinness, live music gigs, margaritas |
| Harp BarWheelchair accessible | 4.53,402 | 0.5 mi | live music, red hall vs dark hall, hophouse 13 unavailable |
| McHughs Bar & Restaurant | 4.43,160 | 0.5 mi | irish stew, fish and chips, guinness |
| The Morning Star Bar & Restaurant | 4.23,888 | 0.7 mi | rump steak on skillet, tomahawk steak, beef & guinness pie |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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