TOPIC:

I'm headin up that way for a couple of days, and i know i should know where to go, but i don't. Lookin for real ale if anyone can help, or a good whiskey bar.

Cheers

Here are a few

You should have a pint or two in the crown bar, opposite the europa hotel, they have usually three hand pumps, which was the most I was in any one place in belfast

You've got mollys yard just in behind the main Queen's Uni building (lanyon) which is basically Hilden brewery in belfast. Hilden itself is about 6-7 miles outside belfast but it is on a rail line so might be worth a visit and a tour.

The John Hewitt down in the cathedral quarter is a great wee bar with a load of great beers on tap and in bottles. Usually have one or two hand pumps on the go

There is always the wetherspoons on the dublin road for a few CHEAP pints of real ale but if you've been to one you've been to them all.

The Crown is your best bet. The handpumps are usually Whitewater brews and Belfast Ale is nearly always on along with one other.. they're always in good condition too...

As Oblivious said the John Hewitt is worth a visit also..

The Wetherspoons is a bit of a dodgy dive especially at weekends. They occasionally have something of interest but i wouldn't go out of my way for it...

The Kitchen bar sometimes has cask brews but i haven't been in for a while so i wouldn't swear to it...

If you're looking any bottles to take home the Vineyard on the Ormeau Rd (fairly close to the city centre) is well worth a visit...

The Merchant Hotel has a Whiskey bar... i know nothing about it except the prices are sure to be steep.

If you're going to be in the city centre any lunchtime this week i could meet for a quick pint - i'm only 5 mins walk from the Crown.

Duke of York used to do McArdles on draught..don't know if thats still the case though (its near the John Hewitt so you could pop around the corner and see)

The Vineyard has plenty of choice for take home beers....

Bittles Bar (near to Kitchen Bar) has a selection of bottled beers, nothing that wow maybe.

For whiskey the best is the Duke of York, loads of whiskey history here in mirrors, adverts, old bottles etc. as well as a very good Irish whiskey selection.

BTW - Molly's Yard is a restaraunt and you pretty much need to be eating to get a beer, the foods good so what better excuse!

Thanks for the tips folks-I'll be going up there in a week or two and will try to taste some of the Belfast brews.