I used to go here all the time, but now I avoid this place due to concerns about management and ownership decisions. A widely reported case involving a manager included allegations of inappropriate comments toward a 16-year-old; while he was cleared of certain charges, a judge still criticized his behavior in court. That alone is enough to make me uncomfortable supporting this business. I won't be returning. read more

The Botanic Inn - News screenshot from the Belfast Telegraph showing a headline about a pub manager criticized by a judge for crude behavior. - Pubs Near Me - Belfast, BFS

Am I getting old or does the current generation of students have lower expectation of a pub/night club. Hmm, I suspect that questions answers itself. Shame on me for even asking. I am the wrong side of 30 after all. OK, 40. God knows how but a few weeks ago I ended up upstairs in the Bot after a few gins to many with dinner in the Barking Dog. It seemed like a top idea to dance like an complete $%^& among the 17 and 18 year olds. I should have known better when I heard the guy taking money at the door talking about his A level choices. So we parted with our £5 each just to get in. The cheek of it. For this we were rewarded with cheesy music, sticky floors and nowhere to sit. Did it put us off? Heck no. We had a total blast and managed to blank out the pitying looks from the people who were young enough to be there. We paid over the odds for unchilled wine, downed it as if it was the finest chablis and danced out little eldery socks off. Fantastic. The Bot is unsophisticated, unpretentious and a great place to really let your hair down. I believe there may have been a DJ, out couldn't swear to it in court. What I do know for sure is that we had a great time with a jovial crowd, no hint of trouble whatsoever. The large bar had the full range of beer, cider, alcopops and cocktails and despite the crowds, service was quick. We were finally kicked out about 1.30am which means the bar closed at 1.00am. Then it was on to the Kremlin. But that's a whole other review..... read more

The Botanic Inn - Pubs Near Me - Belfast, BFS

As a student this place was my local. Now a little, ahem, older, it wouldn't really be my cup of Chardonnay for a Saturday night as it is still packed full of perky young students and noise. For an afternoon of watching big screen football and pints though it still ticks all the boxes. Reasonably priced pints, plenty of cheery bar staff, and an atmosphere of friendly banter and competition it is a great way to while away an afternoon. They also do a good line in no frills pub grub to make sure you aren't totally steaming by 6. Then again, what's wrong with that? ;-) read more

The Botanic Inn - The Bot - Pubs Near Me - Belfast, BFS

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So you know when you have been traveling all day to get somewhere and your 5000 miles from home and more importantly its Sat night. Yes you are tired, but you find a way to rally and get rowdy. You must else if, you cannot respect yourself the next day. That was my Saturday night in Belfast. Where to start about this place: The girl-guy ratio was about 2-3 girls to every guy, no kidding. I give it 3 stars for that. Another star for cheap drinks and another for the dancing floor upstairs. It loses one star because it was literally impossible to walk around and I like crowded places. Hit this place up for women, drinks and meeting cool locals. read more

Being kind, I'll simply say that I'm not a fan of the Bot. It was never a place I chose to go while I was a student, and even less so now. I always found it to be too much of a meat market. Some people like that, but I personally like a boy to at the very least buy me dinner before he starts feeling me up! It's usually packed to the gills, especially on a Wednesday, and will play chart music and dancefloor classics. Pretty standard fare, really. In its defence, the Bot is a great place to go watch sport. There are a couple of big screens and the atmosphere is usually pretty good on big game nights. The food is also pretty good for pub-grub and because it's a student bar, the price is right too. All in all, it's not the place for me, but I can see the appeal - it's usually busy enough to have an atmosphere, the music is pretty decent and there are generally some pretty people to look at. Just make sure you ask before you touch though, yeah? read more

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. I would never say that I am well travelled. I have been to most major cities in the UK on a night out and have been out and about in the likes of Amsterdam and Barcelona but I am in no way a Michael Palin type. That being said, I think I can comfortably say that I believe 'The Bot' to be the worst night out I have ever had in all my days of bopping on the disco floor. A night out that is more akin to a packed subway train with people you hate rather than an evening out with your friends having a few bevvies and a bit of a boogie. The bar is basic and full of loud, frustrating students that always seem to be on a stag do, pub crawl or rugby club initiation. The place reeks of cliché and has probably directly contributed to the reduction of the collective IQ of Northern Ireland. The club upstairs is where it gets even worse. Meat market doesn't even come close to describing the atmosphere upstairs, no class about the place whatsoever. Which I'm ok with from time to time but when it is 18 and 19 year olds seemingly trying to get on Booze Britain on ITV2 I'm just left feeling depressed. If you want to go out, snog somebody who possibly lied about their age and feel like a thoroughly bad person this is the place for you. If you want to have a good time, listen to good music and enjoy yourself - stay away. read more

It's a young, student/young professionals bar and club. Loud, pretty good music, and decently priced drinks. It doesn't start getting full on the dance floor until half eleven, so don't show up until eleven at the earliest. read more

I recently visited The Bot with a friend who had been in Australia for a year - he was adamant that we went to The Bot, also on his insistence we had to have a pint of Guinness each followed up by a steak and Guinness pie with a side of champ. Stodgy pub grub served in large portions is what The Bot is good and I for one hope it never changes! The Bot is quiet and unassuming in a good way - a true taste of Belfast without the bells and whistles, it gets the thumbs up from me. read more

Situated on the Malone Road, directly opposite from the Eg and in my opinion offers slightly more than its rival. Although it may not have as many offers on spirits and shots as the Eg, it does have a friendlier, lighter atmosphere. With a huge seating area downstairs, as well as a vast smoking area, the Bot also boasts a stage area where some great cover bands add to the 'craic'. Also, for big football matches, the Bot introduces its pull down screen and the atmosphere is excellent. I certainly recommend watching the football here. The staff are friendly and the food is fine for pub food but nothing to write home about. The Bot is popular with students, primarily because of its location between the halls of residence and the university. Their clubs nights upstairs are a favourite with students and can get very busy very quickly. My drawback is the fact the Bot comes with a door tax of £5 for upstairs, which in my opinion is too expensive for what it has to offer. The drink offers do not, in my opinion, validate a door tax of £5. The music is good however, especially on a Wednesday and Thursday night and it can be a very pleasant night if you have a good crowd. Other things of note is there are a few bank machines located near, a food outlet and a drink outlet located on either side as well as a taxi rank directly outside. read more

The Botanic Inn - Pubs Near Me - Belfast, BFS

The Botanic Inn is the ultimate student bar with drinks promotions galore. This bar claims the status of the biggest bar in Northern Ireland. It is a widely recognised sports bar showing all the big sporting events such as the rugby and the Gaelic. This bar is absolutely heaving on a Friday and Saturday night but as far as I'm concerned that doesn't mean it's any good. I have only ever had negative experiences in this place with creepy men galore and really drunk students. Maybe I just had a few bad nights? During the day they serve food and I recently called in for some lunch with a friend. The food took ages to come and we had a sense that everything was slightly grimy. When my toasted sandwich came it wasn't good - presentation wise it was just a toastie on a plate with a cup of tea - no trimmings and that kind of put me off. While I waited on my friend I was doing some work on my laptop but was constantly interrupted by the over friendly barmaid. She even continued to involve herself in the conversation I was having with my friend - I wanted to tell her to butt out but eventually she went back to her job. The toilets were not clean - usually I expect toilets to be a bit worse for wear late at night or early after a big night but at lunchtime on a Tuesday you would at least expect toilet roll. I won't be back in a hurry but I think it is a fine bar for students crawling back to their halls who fancy a cheep drink and a basic bit of grub. read more

The Botanic Inn - Pubs Near Me - Belfast, BFS

I'm a former employee of this place. Now personally I never ever enjoyed nights out there, before I worked there or after. But whilst working there it was clear to see from the busy nights (which is most nights) that people love it. From Wednesday to Sunday, you can barely move in the place, especially when its around student time. The best night would be Wednesday, the trad Irish music night. Even when I was working flat out (which I'm sure a lot of the staff there would say I never did much!), I still enjoyed the night due to the music and the craic the band would have with the crowd. Not my cup of tea but evidently its a lot of others, so credit where credits due. read more

The Bot gets REALLY busy at weekends. Great if you don't mind having your pint spilled over you by people squeezing by, or standing up all night. The atmosphere is great and the students know how to have a laugh. Bar prices are about average and I would advise to get there early as the queues get MASSIVE!!! read more

The Botanic Inn is perfect for all occasions that require you to decamp to a bar, drink and have a good time. There is always something going on at the Botanic Inn, such as wild student nights to raucous live music and all the big sporting events too. The Botanic Inn is popular and widely appreciated pub in Belfast. Its got a great atmosphere, good drinks, and cheap food. The perfect session venue. read more

What can be said about The Bot which has not already been said. It is quite simply a significant part of Belfast history and will continue to be. Its main selling point is the people you will see them queue to get in and stagger to get out. After many many years it is still the place to be at the weekend and don't expect to be able to hear yourself think, as usual. Get there early, if you want in, or get there late if you fancy standing outside in the cold for ages. Visit it for the craic !!! read more

I am a fan of the Bot groups other places, but the Bot is a night club trying to be a restaurant. The food when it comes is not dressed well and the atmosphere is too much like a club to relax plus you just feel like the place hasent been cleaned from the night before. Now im not saying its dirty but i just feels it probably because i have been there more at night than day. I have been twice to eat and would not go back just for that reason, but I could be wrong. read more

The very first pub I visited in Belfast, The Bot always has a place in my heart. From boozy Saturday nights to Friday lunchtimes there is always an excuse to go. The range of people is fantastic and you always end up talking to someone new. The bar has a great oldy worldy feel but is clean and comfortable. read more

A firm favourite at school, uni and working life. The "Bot" is a top place to watch the footy or rugby. Best advice is to get down early, get a seat/table and guard it with your life!!!! Be prepared to wait for drinks order at the bar. read more

Excellent pints of Guinness, and very friendly service. Suggested a nice ale and was spot on. Prices are more than reasonable too. Loved it!

The bot seems to waver between bunged and dead with nothing in between. While I have had a few very good nights in the bot over the years it always struck me as expensive and especially on a night out it's very easy to be given a suspect pint of Guinness. Even ignoring the night out aspect I've tried meals in the bot and they are very hit and miss, one day you can be enjoying a lovely stew and the next breaking your teeth on a frozen potato. The worst bit for me though is the door staff. 3/4 of them are fine but its the remainder that causes the problem. I have seen one bouncer punch a man in the face when he was trying to calm a situation down and on another occasion hit someone that was on the ground. Truly ugly scenes. It also left a bitter taste about the management as though a complaint was made no follow up action was taken read more

Great night out for students and anyone near the age of a student. Drink isn't overly dear but sure if that's an issue then get steamed before you head out! Can't comment on the restaurant as i haven't ate there. read more

The Bot, as everybody knows, gets awfully busy at this time of year. The area's biggest university is just down the road, and Freshers' Week is just passing. Personally, I'm just too old to even contemplate spending a night in the crush of students on a Wednesday or Thursday. Maybe a nice pint and a sarnie in the quieter front bar during the day. Ironically though, I'd be perfectly happy to stand in the middle of a throng of several hundred people if there's an interesting (to me) sports event on the massive screens... Despite myself, I am hopelessly in love with football, and the atmosphere here is as good as any stadium. It makes your hair stand on end when a goal goes in. The staff are pretty good too. No time for banter when it's flat-out busy, but you'll get served surprisingly fast. read more

Used to frequent the bot all the time but as j grow older and the client grows younger I find myself here less, however for sports downstairs still holds a place I would goto when i get the chance, has a real heart in Belfast and I sell worth a visit, and still caters for a younger crowd than my 32 years but still would have a pint or 7 here when I get the chance, great for sports downstairs, up stairs very busy Thursday to Saturday and can be 18-25 age range:) read more

Bit of a ghost town when uni isn't on, otherwise Wednesday to Sunday night you're guaranteed there'll be a crowd in, its a license to print money. Doesn't float my boat, normally full of culchies (I'm one myself) who drink pints to beat the band. But for most people it'd be a good nights craic. Good for GAA/soccer/rugby matches, the projectors are rolled out and theres good banter. Food is your average pub grub at average prices. The smoking ban hasn't helped cover up the smell from the toilets though! read more

Been here a couple of times cheap drink but a bit too quiet for my liking.

When I last visited The Bot it was busy and had a fairly young crowd in there. the food was good.

I used to enjoy the bot years ago, but unless there is a good rugby or boxing match on there is no atmosphere. Unless you want to go down on Wednesday nights, when students fill it wall to wall. However, the food is great for pub grub and the staff are pretty good. read more

its a great place for a night out, as the atmosphere is always great. Get there early though as the queues at the weekend can be massive later on. Its also a great venue if you wan't to watch the football and have a drink and some craic. read more

the bot as many students call it is a great night out. Especially during the week when it is over run with students out for a good time. there are three floors to the inn with the bottom being a traditional bar and the two above being dance floors. although the music does cater for the masses, as it is usually music form the charts rather than a niche like dance. this is a great place to watch a football match because it is packed and the excitement is infectious. the best nights to go, as a student, would be on a wednesday night when all the students are out for their mid week drinking after sports and other non-academic stuff. read more

The Bot is worth popping into for a drink while in Belfast. However it does tend to get over run by students and def has a student vibe. It does have a great atmosphere and staff are very friendly. read more

This is one of the most popular pubs for students and will be packed on most weekday evenings during term time. A very popular venue for watching sporting events on TV, especially busy on Champion League evenings. The food menu is quite simple bar type grub but is not too expensive and is of good quality. read more

very popular with students , near Queens University. Plenty of live sports on TV good food

Excellent on a sunday if you fancy a beer and a sunday roast while watching the footy.Always lively in here, very popular bar.

Been here a few times for a night out and also to watch the football. Gets a mixed crowd at the weekends but during the week its full off students from the sticks (countryside people). If your looking to go out for a quiet drink this isn't the place for you its always very busy and takes ages to get served at the bar when it is. Your looking at a 20 / 25 minute waiting time. The students from the sticks aren't a nice crowd they are loud, rude and get way too drunk and knock into you spilling your and there drink all over yourself. Not my cup off tea, been to better bars in the city. read more

It's always full of men! Not a complaint at all, I promise you - although it's all off limits to me now being an 'old-smug-married', I'm sure it's much appreciated by the other female patrons. It's not glamorous or gorgeous, and there is, as in most watering-holes since the smoking ban, a horrible smell of stale drink in the downstairs bar almost constantly, but it's a great night's craic. I've never had a bad night in the Bot - it's got a very studenty-feel to it, but it doesn't make you feel old because the crowd, particularly downstairs is very mixed, age-wise. They have the massive screens too for showing the big sports events, and it's the place to be to watch Ireland in the rugby - rugby fans aren't bad to look at either! The upstairs is more of a nightclub, and there is always a mass of people dancing - which you invariably get pulled into, whether you want to dance or not. A great place for having a few and blowing off some steam with your pals. read more

The Botanic Inn - courtesy of website - Pubs Near Me - Belfast, BFS

Very unhappy with my experience would not recommend. Arrived before 8pm for dinner and verified that I would still be able to order dinner. Put order in at bar and waited, after over 15 min I saw a worker picking up menus and condiments from the tables. I checked back in, I was then informed that my order never went through because the kitchen printer was off and that they had closed the kitchen. read more

love this place also,well i did.i probably still would if i went but aint been in 2 years..this was one of my fav bars,i loved the music,the people and meet some very hot men in there too.....lol read more

Pay £9 and you'll get two pints and one of the tastiest pizzas outside of Pizza Express. Lots of other offers. Fantastic value

Great lively pub. has never let me down anytime i'm in town. Always good vibes goin down. Live music. Super in the summer in the beer garden. Good food also during day and nice little nibble bites later on in the evening. read more

as a pub its acceptable but nothing more. Definitly would warn against eating here tho. Staff made me uncomfortable.

a good place for young livey people , all types of sport food and great night life