Recommended Pubs and Restaurants in County Antrim
There are a total of 20 premises in this area.
The House of McDonnell
71 Castle StreetBallycastle
BT54 6AS
(028) 2076 2975 (T)
houseofmcdonnell.blogspot.co.uk/ (W)
Dating back to 1744 and still in the hands of the McDonnell family heirs. A listed building with an ornate interior showing the spirit grocer ancestry (ending in 1921). Busy at night, calm by day, it certainly is relaxing. A place to sit and contemplate the history & memorabilia of the pub. What better place could there be than to spend time relaxing from the "Oul' Lammas Fair" in August?
A CAMRA Heritage Pub
Dobbin's Inn Hotel
6-8 High StreetCarrickfergus
BT38 7AF
(028) 9335 1905 (T)
(028) 9335 1689 (F)
www.dobbinsinnhotel.co.uk/ (W)
A 13th century family run inn. Very popular town centre pub & restaurant with live music. A favourite starting point for those attending events in the Castle. Multi roomed downstairs bar and reception with hotel upstairs. Dates back to 1600's under many guises; armoury, gaol, post office yet still retains its friendly ghost (Maud).
The Meeting House
120 Brustin Brae RoadLarne
BT40 2RL
(028) 2858 3252 (T)
Well over a hundred years old, hidden in the countryside north of Larne and worth hunting out. There is a small parking space for cars at the front and a beer garden to the rear. It has a plaque for "Irish Pub of Distinction 2001". The public bar is comprised of a low ceiling wood panelled bar split into two small snugs front and rear. Interesting range of beer bottles on the back shelf.
Both snugs have concrete floors, high backless stools and wood panelled walls. Note the small coloured glass "snob" style window panes in the front bar. A long narrow corridor leads past a front lounge that has pine half panels and pine tables & chairs. The back lounge, recently refurbished, has comfortable seating and high small windows with half height wood panels and a stone effect fireplace. The restaurant upstairs serves good food while bar snacks are available downstairs every day until 7 pm. Music most nights. Both locals and staff are friendly.
The Stables
10-16 Castle StreetAntrim
BT41 4JE
(028) 9442 9290 / 8122 (T)
A dark front bar with lots of miniature bottles, stained glass, stuffed fox and other memorabilia. Behind this is a large lounge with lots of wood and stairs leading to the upstairs restaurant. This place is bigger than you would think with a slight Gothic feel.
The Tap Room (AKA Kelly's Cellars)
21 Church StreetBallymoney
BT53 6HS
(028) 2766 2157 (T)
A thatched, multi room pub and restaurant. The Tap Room is small, wood and tile floored with lots of wood panelling and ceiling. Pictures of the Titanic adorn the bar, with an excellent cut away drawing of the ship. It leads into back rooms with pew seating and brewing bric-a-brac. The Cellars restaurant, across the yard, has a tiled floor and lots of miniature bottles above the small bar and more bric-a-brac. Mainly pew seating. Good basic food.