Fountain Lane

A site with a story

The name goes back to two fountains on Fountain Street that from 1840 distributed water from Mundy's Well. The site later held a national school before the original Fountain Tavern opened in 1901. That building was badly damaged in the Belfast Blitz and had to be demolished; the pub was rebuilt and reopened in 1955, then restored and relaunched in October 2019.

Food, drink and music

Expect straightforward Irish pub grub served from late morning into the evening, which makes it a handy lunch stop between shops and sights. Behind the bar there is a broad choice of locally brewed beers on draught and in bottles, and the pub hosts live traditional music.

Using it on a visit

Fountain Street runs between Castle Lane and Wellington Place, a few minutes from City Hall and the main shopping streets. It suits visitors wanting a relaxed pub lunch or an evening of music without heading out to the Cathedral Quarter. Kelly's Cellars, one of Belfast's older bars, is a short walk away if you want to make a pub crawl of it. Evenings with live music are the liveliest time to go.

Highlights

• Site of the Fountain Tavern, first opened 1901
• Rebuilt in 1955 after Blitz damage, relaunched 2019
• Live traditional music
• Locally brewed beers

Good to know

• Food is served daily from 11:30 to 21:00 (check live hours on the page).

Frequently asked questions