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

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, and The Armoury simulated shooting gallery, popular with groups, a multimillion-pound expansion onto the first floor of the historic Haymarket site at the corner of Royal Avenue with North Street has seen three new bars added. 

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.   

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.

A lively Sports and Live Music Bar for guests keen to get their sporting fix in a fun-filled, high-energy atmosphere, completes the additions. 

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 £5million and taking the total 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 owner Gareth Murphy advises booking early to avoid disappointment.

Gareth Murphy tells us: “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 number of staff.

“Belfast is a great city for socialising and Haymarket Belfast has established itself as a first choice for thousands of guests every week.  

“With our booking system now live, we’re encouraging advance reservations – particularly as we are already taking bookings for Christmas parties and expect high demand for group celebrations of all sizes.” 

What’s on the menu? Like the venue itself, multiple choice small plates, sharing platters and pizzas make this the perfect girls night out destination at any time of year.  

For information on all venues, offers, promotions, gift vouchers and group packages, visit www.haymarketbelfast.com.