Recommended Pubs and Restaurants in County Antrim
There are a total of 21 premises in this area.
The Imperial Bar
87 Wellington Street, Ballymena(028) 2564 2752 (T)
A friendly, old fashioned example of a side street town bar, something fast disappearing in the province. The bar is small with the normal bric-a-brac that brings back memories of drinking days long past. Quiet, with its own clientele, it is a great spot to stop for a couple of drinks and realise that bars were not always noise and chrome. Watch out for the step at the entrance!
A CAMRA Heritage Pub
The House of McDonnell
71 Castle Street, Ballycastle(028) 2076 2975 (T)
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 Street, Carrickfergus(028) 9335 1903 (T)
Very popular town centre pub & restaurant. 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.
The Meeting House
120 Brustin Brae Road, Larne(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 Street, Antrim(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.