Bittles Bar — Restaurant in Belfast

I'm sure a lot of the 'good reviews' of Bittles Bar are correct. It looks like a great 'local bar', quirky, atmospheric, lively ... but there lies the rub, I truly believe the owner/landlord only wants locals, people who visit regularly, and drink Guinness by the gallon. Let me tell you of our experience of Bittles Bar. We, my wife and I, and at least 3 other couples/groups, arrived at the bar on Sunday 18th June, to sample 'the perfect pint of Guinness' that this place was renowned for. We got there around 11.45 and accepted that we had to wait till opening time - 12 noon - so settled on a bench outside. At 12, a guy, obviously a pal of the landlord, moved the rubbish bin that blocked the door to stop 'customers' getting in, and my wife approached the door and asked "hi, are you open", what followed was most bizarre ... the 'pal' calls inside. "What time you open?" ... a voice from inside shouts back. "Who wants to know?"... "This lady," says pal ... "I'll open when I'm ready!" Says disembodied voice from the darkness. 'Fine,' we think, 'very hospitable...not'. "OK," says wife, "just wondering..!" ... then 'it' appears, whom I can only describe as Voldermorts' more obnoxious twin. "How many are there of you?" he asks, "just the 2 of us, " says wife,"and these other people" gesticulating towards the American couple behind us "and those people over there" ... "Well, if I let you in, I'll have to let the others in too"... cue stunned silence. "Isn't that the idea of a bar?" We thought. The American guy then joined in, "we were just asking what time you opened!" ... "When you're gone," Voldermort II pipes up ... cue more stunned silence. "You mean you'll open the bar once we all go?" I ask, visibly confused, "yep, it's fathers Day and ... mumble, mumble, mumble...!" ... confused looks exchanged between us, the Americans and the other groups, "so you're not going round serve us?" My wife asked ... "I'll open once you've gone!" It hissed."Fine, thanks for your Irish hospitality", I say and take my wife's hand to go in search of a decent Guinness in a more friendly part of Belfast. So no, I wouldn't recommend visiting Bittles Bar, the place looked great, a fully earns it's multiple photos in the guide books, but to get inside you have to get past the most obnoxious tw*t either side of the Irish Sea. Shame, we, and others, were looking forward to experiencing the best Guinness in Belfast, but all we got was an unnecessary, very...

Bittles Bar in Belfast is, without a doubt, one of the most overhyped and underwhelming establishments I’ve ever had the misfortune of visiting. From the moment I stepped inside, I was hit with an overwhelming stench of urine that seemed to permeate every corner of the place. It’s baffling how a bar with such a rich history and a prime location has been allowed to deteriorate into what can only be described as a glorified public toilet.

The atmosphere, which I had hoped would be cozy and inviting, was instead damp, dingy, and downright unpleasant. The walls, adorned with quirky artwork, couldn’t distract from the fact that the place felt grimy and neglected. The floors were sticky, the tables were wobbly, and the overall vibe was one of apathy—both from the staff and the management.

Speaking of the staff, they seemed completely disinterested in providing any level of service. I waited an eternity to be served, only to be met with a half-hearted attempt at a smile and a pint that tasted like it had been poured by someone who had given up on life. The lack of enthusiasm was palpable, and it’s clear that the staff are either overworked, undertrained, or simply don’t care.

As for the drinks, they were mediocre at best. The selection was uninspired, and the prices were unjustifiably high for the quality (or lack thereof) being offered. I couldn’t help but wonder if the markup was to cover the cost of air fresheners that clearly weren’t doing their job.

The clientele seemed to be a mix of unsuspecting tourists and locals who either have no sense of smell or are too loyal to admit that this place has gone downhill. I overheard a few people commenting on the “unique charm” of Bittles, but let’s call it what it is: a dive bar that’s resting on its laurels and coasting on nostalgia.

In conclusion, Bittles Bar is a shadow of its former self. The overpowering smell of urine, the lackluster service, and the general air of neglect make it a place to avoid at all costs. If you’re looking for a true Belfast pub experience, there are countless other options that don’t involve holding your nose and praying for the experience to end. Save yourself the disappointment and steer...

Bridging the gap between tourist attraction and actual pub is not difficult - just look at The Brazen Head in Dublin or The Churchill Arms in London - and when done right can be a fantastic experience. Both places are steeped in history and both serve great drinks. But they both also have that other crucial quality - a warm welcome. Not so in Bittles Bar in Belfast. Having to be pointed toward the “rules” on the door twice within 2 minutes of arrival is never a good sign - for any establishment - but for a pub it’s a total downer. The greeting “Sorry no cash, pal” is delivered in such a way as to let you know they are not in any way sorry. The Guinness was decent but, after standing outside for a while it started raining so we had to move indoors. We were told swiftly, and gleefully, that we weren’t welcome to stand. We pointed out that others were standing only to be told that standing is fine if you’re near a wall (!) or leaning against a barrel. Of course, we tried to lean against a barrel but were told we were blocking the door even though another customer had a shopping bag that was already blocking the door. So, we had to finish our pints in the rain. The loudest noise in the place was the three bar staff grunting and braying about last night’s fun and mocking customers who dare to question the rules so we were glad that at least outside we couldn’t hear them. Thankfully, we also couldn’t hear them in The Kitchen Bar across the road where we had our second round. They had even better Guinness, accepted cash and, crucially, didn’t have a list of rules posted on the door. If you’re looking for a decent pint in Belfast but also want a nice welcoming atmosphere I would recommend you avoid Bittles. If it’s a tourist attraction you’re after, try the...