Heverlee 0623
Heverlee 0623

About us

It has been said that the famous 18th-century Shakespearean actor David Garrick – who coincidentally was involved in the wine trade before he succumbed to the lure of the stage – once visited this bar for a drink, but that seems a highly unlikely notion. Garrick did visit Ireland on a few occasions, mostly performing in Dublin, but he died in 1779, around a century before the Garrick bar was founded.

It’s possible, however, that the 'Garrick' name could have been inspired by the Garrick Club, a fashionable London rendezvous which was founded in 1831 as a place where ‘actors and men of education and refinement might meet on equal terms’. The Garrick Club was a favourite watering hole of the author William Thackeray, who visited Belfast in 1842 and for all we know he may have planted the suggestion in someone’s head at that time.

Around the time of Thackeray’s visit, the site of the Garrick was occupied by the marble and stone yard of William Low, who later ran a unique combined enterprise of spirit dealer and cement merchant in Victoria square on the site of what is now The Kitchen Bar. At some point during the 30 years that followed, a tavern was established at the corner of Chichester Street and Montgomery Street, and in 1870 McCauley, McCashin and Co, who described themselves as rectifying distillers and wine and spirit merchants, were dispensing drinks at this location.

The Garrick name was in use by 1892 at the latest, when W.J. McCoy ran the Garrick Bar and Billiard Room. Before the turn of the century, the bar became the second licensed premises to be acquired by the burgeoning partnership of Braithwaite and McCann and for many years had served as the firm’s head office in the city.

Recently owned by the O’Neill family, who were proprietors of Robinsons in Great Victoria Street for some years, designed the interior with a smart combination of tiling and woodwork, which has earned the venue the accolade of Belfast’s Best Kept Small Building on a number of occasions. The Garrick was bought by Beannchor Ltd in May 2006 and in February 2007 was taken over by the manager Colm Oates.

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Pub reviews

Reviews

Sza

1 month ago

White wine £7.5 Sauvignon blanc low quality

Bill Nichols

2 months ago

No better way to sum up my thoughts than with a song: German pub, oh what a crew Fine dining touch, it's something new Near Heavenly, Erdinger on tap Non-alcoholic brews, we'll raise the glass Chorus: Curry plate, sausage and fries The flavors burst, it was no surprise Cozy atmosphere, the staff so kind This is THE place to Apres in Tahoe, we can't deny Verse 2: Osso Bucco, it's a star This dish is epic, it's gone so far We came back later, sat at the bar All friendly faces, no need to look far Chorus: Curry plate, sausage and fries The flavors burst, it was no surprise Cozy atmosphere, the staff so kind This is THE place to Apres in Tahoe, we can't deny Bridge: We'll come back, each time we're near This place is the one, let's make it clear Great food, great service, what more to say In our hearts, Primo's Italian Bistro will stay Chorus: Curry plate, sausage and fries The flavors burst, it was no surprise Cozy atmosphere, the staff so kind This is THE place to Apres in Tahoe, we can't deny

Declan Sullivan

3 months ago

Great traditional bar. Very busy on the two days we visited but with the good service and drinks, it's easy to see why. Famous for it's Irish coffee and boy is it good. Highly recommended

Stephanie Fraser

5 months ago

Wow! The best, tastiest roast I've enjoyed for many a year. Service lovely, accommodating and friendly. Literally stumbled upon this on our travels looking for food and we're so happy we discovered it. Amazing value too!

Haley Shaw

6 months ago

Fantastic bar! We came as a family of 6 to watch the football. Food and staff were excellent. The set menu is fantastic value. Highly recommend.

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Heverlee 0623
Heverlee 0623