Mccracken's

I've only ever been in here for late afternoon quiet pints but judging by the majority of the other reviews I'll definitely be giving it a miss at night time, place sounds hellish. Anyway, this is a really lovely done-up and well situated bar up the claustrophobic Joy's Entry (mind your step on all the pigeon caca though! and has a beautiful tiled bar area and some fantastic black leather booths which are perfect for relaxing in. The pints are good, a friend swears by the Guinness and the music, during the day at least, is chilled and not too loud. Hence it's a great place to catch up with friends of an afternoon. Pros: Nice daytime drinkin' Cons: Hard to find.

I have to agree with a few of the other reviewers here. First off this is not my usual haunt at all, and this is especially true when it comes to the R'nB night I went to. I nearly, just nearly had a stroke at the prospect of paying £10 just to get into a place! As if all the money I'd spend trying to drown out the terrible music and make myself feel worse in the morning than I currently did. Everyone in the place appears to have a chip on their shoulder, giving the place a really uneasy feeling that I can't quite understand is worth a £10 to experience.

Family visiting from England they admitted that they had the best steak ever! In fact my brother drooled kept raving about it for ages! Two portland steaks with bottle of wine £29.95.. just devine! 6 of us dined ... amazing food great Craic! One of my favourite 'no fail ' go to places to eat! Always on the top of my list!

I think this is one of the best small bars in Belfast. It has really nice kerb appeal, even though it's not on the main thoroughfare, but snuggled neatly in Joy's Entry, one of the old, original passageways on Belfast city and named after the infamous Henry Joy McCracken. Whether it's due to its name or its location, or both it certainly does have a historical atmosphere, with it's cobbled pavement outside, and it's exposed brick and small rooms inside. What I like most about McCrackens is the food they offer traditional Irish grub but with a modern hint and edge to it, and there is great choice on the menu. They also pride themselves on serving locally sourced food. At the weekend there is a proper party atmosphere in this bar, and it can get really busy and almost uncomfortable but the crowd are always friendly, as are the staff.

Now, about the bar itself: it's spacious, welcoming, and well-lit, adorned with intriguing artwork on the walls (some pieces by local artist Martin Bradley, along with depictions of Irish literary figures). The sofas are incredibly comfortable—perfect for relaxing after a long day of shopping! The central area of the bar is also impressive, providing a thoughtful layout that nicely separates different sections. As for the food, it is exceptional. I had lunch there with a friend a few days ago—we ordered the beer-battered fish with homemade chips and mushy peas, as well as the special homemade lasagna served with a side salad and chips. The total bill came to £23.50 for two meals and two pints. There was absolutely nothing to complain about; everything was fantastic. Our waitress was a charming local girl who had extensive knowledge about the bar, the menu, and the drink selection. They offer a variety of house cocktails and special drinks that all looked delicious—I’ll definitely have to try those another time. The bar has a motto: "in touch with old values, moving with the times," which perfectly encapsulates its essence. McCracken's is a wonderful pub that is steeped in history while also being contemporary and modern.