The building
Bittles occupies the flatiron on the corner of Upper Church Lane — the same trick of a building as New York’s, just Belfast-sized. Older listings call the site the Shakespeare (from the 1860s). The walls are hung with paintings of writers, players and the odd politician; Joe O’Kane is the name attached to a lot of the pictures.
It is close to the Victoria Centre and a short walk from the Crown, but it does not behave like a high-street Nicholson’s. John Bittles has a reputation for running a tight, small room. Stories about “no halves / no Diet Coke” travel because the place is tiny and a row of soft drinks does not pay the light bill. House rules are the house’s. Ask at the bar; do not quote a blog at the owner.
Practical
70 Upper Church Lane, BT1 4QL. Phone 028 9031 1088. Facebook and Instagram are how they talk; facebook.com/BittlesBar. Hours are roughly noon to late; Sunday can differ. No cask ale last time CAMRA logged it — come for stout and whiskey.
Who it is wrong for
A group of ten. A cocktail list. Anyone who needs a table booked. Wheelchair users will find the wedge unkind.
After a pint here
The Crown is the ornate version of “historic.” The Morning Star is the entry pub with a kitchen. White’s Tavern if you want the “oldest tavern” claim and a yard.
Sources: CAMRA NI notes, public listings for 70 Upper Church Lane, the pub’s Facebook. Last checked September 2026.