About This Pub
Ah, The Second Fiddle—it's one of those Belfast gems that really captures the spirit of an Irish pub, with its sister bar vibes from The Dirty Onion adding to the charm. I've got to say, the live trad and folk music sessions are an absolute highlight; they run four days a week and create this infectious energy that draws you in for a proper singalong or just a relaxed listen. It's got that community feel too, with weekly Irish speaking circles and even free bodhran lessons, which is brilliant if you're into dipping your toes into Irish culture. The beer garden is a treat, especially on a sunny day, and being dog-friendly makes it all the more inviting for a casual meet-up. On the flip side, though, service can be hit or miss—some folks have mentioned the staff chatting away and not paying much attention, which might leave you standing at the bar a bit longer than expected. Then there's the odd complaint about the toilets not being up to scratch, and it does get rammed during peak times, so grabbing a seat isn't always straightforward. Prices are what you'd expect in the city centre, but they might feel a tad steep if you're out for a quiet night. All in all, it's worth a visit for the music and atmosphere, but go in with realistic expectations and you'll likely have a grand time.
Pros and Cons
Pros
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The live Irish traditional music is absolutely brilliant—it's got that real authentic feel that gets everyone tapping their feet and joining in the craic.
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It's a welcoming spot with a relaxed, fun atmosphere, especially for events like bingo nights or quizzes, which add a lovely touch of excitement.
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Being dog-friendly is a real plus; it's nice to pop in with your furry friend and not worry about leaving them outside.
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The location in Belfast city centre is spot on, right next to a big beer garden, making it perfect for a summer pint or a cosy indoor session.
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There's a decent selection of taps with some quality brews, and the cultural bits like Irish speaking circles and bodhran lessons give it a unique, community vibe.
Cons
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Service can be a bit inconsistent; sometimes the staff seem more caught up in their own chats than helping out, which can leave you waiting longer than you'd like.
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The toilets have been described as filthy on occasion, which is a shame as it detracts from the overall experience.
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It gets pretty packed, especially during events, making it tough to find a seat or get served promptly—I've heard of bar staff skipping folks in line.
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Prices are on the higher side for the city centre, so it might not be the best spot if you're watching your wallet.
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While it's got potential, the hospitality doesn't always live up to the charming Irish pub ideal, with a few reports of it feeling a tad overlooked.
Contact Information
Cotton Court, 30-42 Waring St, Belfast BT1 2ED
+442890243712
Irish pub
Closed
Opening Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday (Today) | 17:00 - 00:00 |
| Friday | 17:00 - 03:00 |
| Saturday | 13:00 - 03:00 |
| Sunday | 13:00 - 00:00 |
Recent Reviews
This place has the potential to be a real gem in the city centre a charming little Irish bar with a great location. Unfortunately, it completely misses the mark on hospitality. The staff, including management and servers, seemed more interested in chatting with each other than serving customers, often with their backs turned while people waited at the bar.
Service was painfully slow, with no attempt to take more than one order at a time. Worse still, there wasn’t a smile or a hint of friendliness — just grumpy, unwelcoming faces. It felt like being a burden rather than a guest.
I could have happily stayed for the evening, but the atmosphere pushed me out the door. A prime example of how standards in bar service have slipped disappointing and avoidable.
A nice place with a good atmosphere of customer. I found the bouncers very friendly.
The toilets were filthy and while at the bar waiting to be served the bar maid knew I was next and skipped me to serve somebody who had just arrived to the bar. I spoke up and said that I was there first but I had no problem with the other person being served first. She replied and said she would serve the other person first and might serve me when she was finished. I thought it was completely unnecessary and rude and very unprofessional. People like this bring down the name of a bar. From reading other reviews I imagine it is the same lady who has been mentioned.
As I said overall a nice bar with a good atmosphere but filthy toilets and a rude lady serving behind the bar.
Fun, relaxed, friendly atmosphere with excellent live Irish traditional music. Would definitely visit again.
Visited on the 7th of Dec for Xmas drinks, so it is important to consider the timing. The bar was bunged, not much chance of a seat, but we got to the bar easily and got served right away, prices where in line with city centre prices, and we got somewhere to set our drinks and to chat. First time here, and I was very pleased with the Second Fiddle.
A quiet Irish bar you would nearly miss wedged behind The Thirsty Goat and The Dirty Onion. Been relatively quiet the few times I've been which I don't mind. Plenty of seating indoors and outside. Decent tap selection if inflated prices as per almost anywhere in the city centre. Toilets are clean and bar well kept. Good if you're struggling to get seated in the surrounding bars in Cathedral Quarter.
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