The pub is located along an alleyway (Commercial Court) off Donegall Street, a bit to the north of Donegall Square, and south of St Anne's Cathedral. If you take the correct alley, you can't miss the pub, although its name isn't immediately evident.
This is a rather fine pub on the edge of the increasingly trendy Cathedral Quarter' of Belfast, but, unlike some bars nearby, the Duke of York's appeal is firmly that of a traditional pub that, none the less, is open to the world, and welcoming to all, be they young or old, male or female, from near or far. Don't be alarmed by reports that Gerry Adams apparently worked here as a barman while a student: this is no outpost of any of the wilder parts of West Belfast. Similarly, the pub's historical role-as a watering hole for journalists-has largely been supplanted by that of catering to a wider, less hack-ish, audience. The Duke of York is quite an expansive venue, with several rooms, most of which are furnished with various knickknacks, old bottles, books, and so on. There is an extensive selection of both (Irish) whiskeys and (Scotch) whiskies, and lots of other good stuff to drink too. Both the general atmosphere of the pub and the attitude of the bar staff we experienced were warm and friendly, and live music is often provided in the evenings. All in all, excellent.
reviewed: 21/05/2006
pub features:(click on an icon to see an explanation)
click for directions to Duke of York from wherever you are
some seating out front
live irish music
