The Royal

Head down Sandy Row and you'll find The Royal doing what it does best—being exactly what Belfast needs from a neighbourhood pub. There's no faffing about with craft beers or Instagram-ready cocktails; this is where you order a pint, settle into a seat worn comfortable by years of regulars, and actually talk to people. The crowd's mixed—builders rubbing shoulders with office workers, match days bringing the energy up several notches. It's the kind of place where the staff know what you drink before you ask, and nobody's in a rush to move you along.