Six of the Best at the Haymarket Belfast
Paula Gracey checks out three new bars under one roof as £5m city centre venue doubles in size.
A New Landmark in Belfast City
Not so long ago there wasn’t a single bar fronting onto Belfast city centre’s shop window on Royal Avenue.
Now there are six, all under one roof. Already one of Belfast’s largest hospitality venues, home to the busy Stock Exchange and Courtyard bars, the Armoury simulated shooting gallery, popular with groups, a multimillion-pound expansion into the front of the historic Haymarket site at the corner of Royal Avenue with North Street has been added.
New Cocktail Lounge
Adding new style, opulence and luxury to the city’s hospitality scene is the new Crimson Cocktail Lounge, offering an unrivalled choice of showstopping signature cocktails and nibbles for discerning guests who value exclusivity, privacy and live entertainment.
Mic Drop Karaoke Bar
Meanwhile, Mic Drop, a lively, fun-filled Karaoke Bar, will be home to a collection of highly themed private rooms – including a striking private jet design among others – each offering food and drink service direct to the room and designed with social moments in mind, making them perfect for sharing and capturing on Instagram.
Live Music and Sports Bar
A fun-filled, high-energy Live Music Bar for guests keen to get their sporting fix in a fun-filled, high-energy atmosphere, completes the additions.
Investment and Growth
From a vacant lot, the complex has now doubled in size in just a short space of time, since its July 2021 launch, thanks to a total investment of £5 million and taking the combined number of staff employed on site to around 100.
What a boost for Belfast in the run-up to hospitality’s busiest time of the year.
The one-stop, six-bar concept is bound to be popular with revellers, from inside and outside the city, planning their Christmas entertainment, but even Gareth Murphy advises booking early to avoid disappointment.
A Vision for the Future
Gareth Murphy says:
“In just a few short years, we’ve created a new and exciting premium hospitality concept in the heart of the city centre, offering real choice for locals and visitors and we’re excited to be bringing an additional three standout venues to our Haymarket Belfast family.
“We had originally envisaged The Stock Exchange, The Courtyard and The Armoury would complete our investment in the Royal Avenue site, so we’re delighted to be investing further, expanding this iconic building’s footprint for hospitality guests and bringing new experiences to support our growing numbers of staff.
“Belfast is a great city for socialising and entertaining and we’ve established itself as a first choice for thousands of guests each week.
“With our booking system now live, we’re encouraging advance reservations – particularly as we already have festive bookings for Christmas parties and expect high demand for group celebrations of all kinds.”
On the Menu
What’s on the menu? Like the venue itself, multiple options: small plates, sharing platters and pizzas make the place the perfect girls night out destination as much as it is a pre-dinner, pre-gig hotspot.
📍 For information on all venues, offers, promotions, gift vouchers and group packages, visit: www.haymarketbelfast.com
