Out To Lunch 2026 Early-bird

Historic Pubs of the Cathedral Quarter

Historic Pubs of the Cathedral Quarter

Leaves Kellys Cellars

Sunday 11 and Sunday 25 January, 2.00pm

£14.00

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Take a leisurely stroll on a Sunday afternoon to find out a little more about some of the historic pubs of the Cathedral Quarter and Belfast city centre.

Each pub, from Kelly’s Cellars to the Dirty Onion, The Duke of York to White’s Tavern, and The Morning Star to McHugh’s has fascinating tales and links to our city’s history that will be teased out. You’ll learn why several establishments claim the city’s ‘oldest pub’ title, which of them is in fact the oldest tavern, and what precisely the ‘oldest’ claims of some of the others relate to!

Exploring the oldest part of Belfast town before it became a city in 1888, you’ll hear about early merchants and importers, where secret societies met, the pick-up points for mail coaches, old jails, former whiskey warehouses, newspapers of long ago, and more.

The tour will start from outside Kelly’s Cellars at 2.00pm. The tour will end at 3.30pm outside McHugh’s, where you may choose to stay on to enjoy a drink or coffee and perhaps an afternoon traditional music session.

The tour will cover up to 1.5 miles and will take place whatever the weather, so please come prepared. No refreshments are included as part of the tour ticket.

The tour has been developed and was delivered by Dolores Vischer, a Green Badge qualified tour guide, through her company Creative Tours Belfast.

Tickets also available from:
Visit Belfast | 028 90 246 609
9 Donegall Square North - Open 7 days a Week

Out To Lunch 2026 Early-bird

John Prine’s German Afternoons: Presented by All the Best

John Prine’s German Afternoons: Presented by All the Best

The Black Box

Saturday 10 January, 2.00pm 

Historic Pubs of the Cathedral Quarter

Historic Pubs of the Cathedral Quarter

Leaves Kellys Cellars

Sunday 11 and Sunday 25 January, 2.00pm

Hiraeth: Yearning for Home? With Michael Smiley and Miranda Sawyer

Hiraeth: Yearning for Home? With Michael Smiley and Miranda Sawyer

The Black Box

Sunday 11 January, 2.00pm

Work is the Curse of the Drinking Classes

Work is the Curse of the Drinking Classes

The Black Box

Tuesday 13 January, 1.00pm and 8.00pm

Simply Streisand

Simply Streisand

The Black Box

Wednesday 14 January, 1.00pm, Thursday 15 January, 1.00pm

‘A Little Cloud’ and ‘Counterparts’ from Joyce’s Dubliners

‘A Little Cloud’ and ‘Counterparts’ from Joyce’s Dubliners

The Black Box

Wednesday 14 January, 8.00pm

Hal Cruttenden: Can Dish It Out But Can’t Take It

Hal Cruttenden: Can Dish It Out But Can’t Take It

The Black Box

Thursday 15 January, 8.00pm

Arts Across Belfast Bus Tour

Arts Across Belfast Bus Tour

Leaves Black Box

Sunday 18 January, 10.25am - 2.00pm 

Rosie Wilby: The Breakup Monologues Live Podcast

Rosie Wilby: The Breakup Monologues Live Podcast

The Black Box

Sunday 18 January, 8.00pm

Don Letts DJ Set + Explosion Sound System Selectors

Superfly Funk and Soul & CQAF present

Don Letts DJ Set + Explosion Sound System Selectors

Ulster Sports Club 

Saturday 24 January, 10.30pm 

The Darkling Air with special guests Arco String Quartet

The Darkling Air with special guests Arco String Quartet

The Black Box

Sunday 25 January, 2.00pm 

‘Political Girl – Life and Fate in Russia’ Maria Alyokhina

‘Political Girl – Life and Fate in Russia’ Maria Alyokhina

The Black Box

Thursday 29 January, 8.00pm 

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The Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival and Out To Lunch are annual festivals of music, comedy, theatre, art and literature which take place in January and May in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

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Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival / Out To Lunch Arts Festival
Unit 8
Northern Whig House
Bridge Street
Belfast
BT1 1LU