MADDENS
74 Berry St, Belfast BT1 1FJ
028 9024 4114
“THERE is nothing so lonesome, so dull, or so drear than to stand in the corner of a pub with no beer.” Famous words sung by the Dubliners, but it was the reality for a lot of Guinness drinkers in the last few months. I have lived through the conflict in the North of Ireland, Foot and Mouth Disease, Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic and now I’ve survived the great Guinness shortage of 2024.
Guinness drinkers are the most loyal of all drinkers to their brand and again, Guinness finished number one last year in the UK. So much so, that Guinness was delivering kegs to pubs reminiscent of a World War II ration book as the shortage hit. Murphys was the big winner with a 632 per cent increase in sales the last year. However, the other big stout on the market owned by a certain MMA fighter saw its sales plummet. But when beer is in full flow where is the best pint?
I often get asked which pub serves my favourite pint of Guinness and I reply, Maddens in Belfast. Maddens, The Home of Trad to give it its full name, to me has the best pint of Guinness in Belfast. It’s perfect every time. But it’s not only about the pint, it’s the place. When you arrive at Maddens as a tourist you are met with a throw back. During the conflict, pubs had a cage outside or a buzz door. This was to stop people coming in and opening fire in the pub. Maddens still has its buzzer and it’s still in full use.
When you step in the pub there are no airs or graces, it’s just the simple things done right—fantastic whiskey collection, great pints and trad sessions on every night (above). As well as that, they have an upstairs that has another bar that hosts gigs and comedy nights.
Maddens is also a promoter of the Irish language with a number of Gaeilgeoiri working behind the bar. Maddens appears in the Irish language rap group Kneecap’s music video Better Way To Live and is in several scenes in their film.
So the next time you are in Belfast why not pop in and fall in love with Maddens.
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