Menagerie Bar

This shack is sort of underground and offers an alternative vibe. Interior design and comfort go out the window with this one but the Menagerie is not about these things — it’s about fun, joy and a fingers up to the norm. Fair do on their part but not my cup of tea.

I love the Menagerie. It is undeniably the coolest bar/​venue in Belfast and there’s always something interesting happening.
The bar itself has undergone a recent refurbishment but still retains it’s shabby chic appeal.
The music here is so great. It’s so eclectic and at times a tad obscure but there’s always a cracking night out to be had here. The place is just buzzing with fun and all the cool kids who hang out here are usually pretty friendly.
Most recently I’ve been to the cinema sports night here where a couple of groups of people are given a camera and told to make a short film that day to be shown at The Menagarie that night. The results were both hilarious and interesting. I’ve also seen Space Dimension Controller here, who rocked the place.
All in all, top tunes, top people and an electric atmosphere. Can’t get enough of it.

I like this place, even though it scares me. Whereas Thompsons scares me because it is a scary place, this scares me because I am expecting to go in and get attacked and so far so good. I feel like an outsider going in despite everyone in there simply being there for a drink and a bit of craic. They play some good music and the staff are happy enough to chat to you even though you know they don’t recognise you from every being in here before.
The opening hours, as Conor rightly put it, are incredibly peculiar. Many nights I have walked back to my girlfriend’s and it has been opened, yet on the same night the week after it could be closed.
It has undergone a bit of a decoration and still won’t be on Grand Designs anytime soon. But it is a good watering hole and it is all very relaxed and very friendly.
Not quite sure if I love it yet, but time will tell.

The Menagerie has legend status in terms of the bar’s of Belfast. One thing that strikes me as weird about it, is it’s peculiar opening hours. One day it’s open, the same time next week it won’t be. But you can usually be certain it’ll be open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The décor of the Menagerie is bare to say the least. But I love this about it. It reminds me of a town hall someones decided to spruce up for a ball and gave up half way through.
The drink’s prices are very reasonable and there are always offers one which I can never help but take advantage of to the dismay of future Conor and his terrifying hangover. One great thing about this bar is the laid back attitude of the bouncers. Some bouncers in Belfast can be real tough, no nonsense guys who freak out even when nothing is appears to be actually happening. These guys are chilled, they enjoy the Menagerie and what it’s trying to do as much as it’s customers and it make’s for a really easy going night.

Legendary bar in Belfast, owned by legendary music producer/​DJ David Holmes. Its ownership gives a clue to its clientelle which is mainly people who go out of their way to listen to good, locally prodcued and performed music.
It certainly isn’t a bar that will win any awards for frills or decoration, although I love the stripped back interior and the entire vibe of the place. You certainly aren’t gonna meet any dressed up ladies or fancy dans in here but thats not what everyone is looking for. The drink is reasonably priced and during the summer they put on stew and hot dogs at a really fair price to encourage people to come around and sample the laid back atmosphere.
Top stuff, love live the Menagerie.

I love the name of this place, although it sounds a lot more upmarket than it is! Don’t get me wrong, I like it here — it’s very down to earth and unpretentious, has a very friendly welcoming crowd, and all sorts are made to feel at home. It has a very bohemian, artsy, alternative atmosphere, and that is what makes it very different from other bars in Belfast — and it is very popular with that type of crowd. They offer all sorts of gigs and live music acts, across a range of styles of music, from rock to jazz and folksy stuff too. I went one night with a pal who is a regular, and I don’t think I would have gone otherwise, as it wouldn’t be my usual sort of haunt — but I was really pleasantly surprised. It’s a very straightforward place to go out of a night, and not the sort of place for dressed up dolly birds, but for those with a good appreciation of live music, it’s the perfect venue. Downsides — there are no window and for those who might be a tad claustrophobic, you may have a worry getting out if there was a fire — not to be scare-​mongering — just a thought.

Dans un entrepôt qui né paie pas de mine à l’extérieur d’abord un videur (sympa) vous fait signe, puis vous vous retrouvez dans une grande cave équipée d’un beau bar (bières pression) et surtout d’une scèné où jouent des groupes pas encore célèbres, mais qui pourraient le devenir! Aussi bien du post punk que du folkà découvrir!