
Quick info
About The Jailhouse
The Jailhouse is a pub in Belfast, set in a former jail at 4-5 Joy's Entry. The layout splits into a front room and a larger back area, which hosts live performances and cocktail classes. Dogs are welcome, and the team brings water and treats for them. On the menu, Fish & Chips comes with mushy peas made with spring onions, and Staropramen is served by the pint. A Girl Dinner menu is offered when a table is pre-booked. Walk-ins are not always taken, and tables are booked in advance.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, restroom
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention third-floor bathroom stairs, live performances in back, covered outdoor area and fish and chips.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention third-floor bathroom stairs, live performances in back, covered outdoor area and fish and chips.
Customer Review Summary
Friendly staff are the most repeated praise at this former jail, with reviewers describing quick drinks, a very nice server, and staff who brought water and treats for visiting dogs. Fish and chips is singled out as superb, with mushy peas done with spring onions, alongside a chicken burger. Others praise pints of Staropramen, a gin list, and a larger back area with live performances, where one group could kick back after being turned away elsewhere over dress codes. Complaints centre on the kitchen and bookings. One party who booked the Girl Dinner menu for a birthday was told it had sold out, then that the stock never existed, and a meatless carbonara arrived cold. Another group with a booked table was told a delivery had not arrived and only one chef was working, and a regular was refused as a walk in. One diner found a waitress inattentive before a concert. Two reviewers mention that the toilets are up three flights of stairs.
Customer Review Summary
Friendly staff are the most repeated praise at this former jail, with reviewers describing quick drinks, a very nice server, and staff who brought water and treats for visiting dogs. Fish and chips is singled out as superb, with mushy peas done with spring onions, alongside a chicken burger. Others praise pints of Staropramen, a gin list, and a larger back area with live performances, where one group could kick back after being turned away elsewhere over dress codes. Complaints centre on the kitchen and bookings. One party who booked the Girl Dinner menu for a birthday was told it had sold out, then that the stock never existed, and a meatless carbonara arrived cold. Another group with a booked table was told a delivery had not arrived and only one chef was working, and a regular was refused as a walk in. One diner found a waitress inattentive before a concert. Two reviewers mention that the toilets are up three flights of stairs.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“We had pre-booked a table for the Girl Dinner menu at The Jailhouse for a significant birthday celebration, and unfortunately the entire experience was extremely disappointing. Upon arrival, despite having booked in advance, we were not seated in the main lively area and were instead placed in a corner away from everyone else. We were given the Girl Dinner menu and ordered our choices, only to be told 15 minutes later that the options we had selected had sold out. When we questioned how this was possible less than two hours after opening, we were then informed that they had never had the stock available in the first place. What made this even more frustrating was that nobody contacted us beforehand to let us know the menu we had specifically booked for was unavailable. When we asked why we hadn’t been informed, no explanation was given. We then asked if we could substitute a main from the regular menu into the deal, but were told this was not possible. Our only options were to choose from the limited remaining menu, which had no vegetarian options despite all members of our party being vegetarian, or abandon the deal altogether and order from the standard menu. One member of our group ordered the carbonara without meat, which arrived cold and completely lacking in flavour. The other meals ordered from the main menu were equally underwhelming. Throughout the evening, staff were unhelpful and showed little concern for the issues we were experiencing until we formally expressed our disappointment. To top it all off, when the bill arrived, only £5 was deducted as compensation for what had been a very poor experience. This meal had been booked to celebrate a special birthday, and the occasion was completely overshadowed by the lack of organisation, poor communication, disappointing food, and inadequate customer service. Sadly, we will not be returning.”
- Google user
“Very friendly and nice. Drinks served very quickly and prices were appropriate. Also nearly split the g. Carlin was my server most of the time, very nice lad.”
- Google user
“Called here for dinner on Tuesday night before the David Gray concert at the SSE Arena. Unfortunately, the experience was disappointing. The food was mediocre and did not live up to expectations and our waitress was inattentive throughout the evening and failed to bring items we had requested, which added to the frustration. Service was slow and lacked attention to detail. Sadly, I would not return based on this visit.”
- Google user
“Fantastic bar, popped in for a drink with our dogs as it’s dog friendly. The staff were super accommodating bringing water and some treats and they got lots of attention, from both staff and customers! Thank you for looking after us!”
- Google user
“I have been a customer here on Friday lunch time for years (lunch, soft drink x 2 with a friend). I regularly take large groups via work for socialising. Went yesterday as usual only to be met with some new start who i didn't recognise, place was empty, but he proudly declared that they were not taking "walk in's". One way to alienate clientele. Absolute joke show and won't be back. Also took a large group there earlier in the week, booked table etc., only to be told that a "delivery didn't arrive and we only have one chef". A lot of menu not available and took forever, AVOID.”
Highlights
“Vibrant, dog-friendly boozer in a former jail offering bar bites, regular music & cocktail classes.”
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Great wine list
- Live music
- Live performances
- Sports
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Dine-in
Show more amenities
- Food at bar
- Cozy
- Onsite services
- Beer
- Dancing
- Food
- Highlights· 6
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Great wine list
- Live music
- Live performances
- Sports
- Offerings· 4
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Dining options· 1
- Seating
- Accessibility· 1
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Atmosphere· 2
- Casual
- Trendy
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
Location
Bars near The Jailhouse
- 0 mi£15–30
rump steak on skillet, tomahawk steak, beef and guinness pie
- The Cloth Ear4.31,7140.1 mi£20–50ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
braised lamb, fish and chips, sunday roast
- The Garrick4.52,8420.1 miWheelchair accessible
belfast coffee, guinness, bangers and champ
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The JailhouseReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.3963 | — | £10–20 | third-floor bathroom stairs, live performances in back, covered outdoor area |
| The Morning Star Bar & Restaurant | 4.23,888 | 0 mi | £15–30 | rump steak on skillet, tomahawk steak, beef and guinness pie |
| The Cloth EarReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.31,714 | 0.1 mi | £20–50 | braised lamb, fish and chips, sunday roast |
| The GarrickWheelchair accessible | 4.52,842 | 0.1 mi | — | belfast coffee, guinness, bangers and champ |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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