Best towns in Northern Ireland for Stags

sambowden · 10-04-2021 4:58pm #1

Hey,
Organising stag for late in the year, probably going to head up North as it has a better chance of pubs being open then. If its all closed down then so be it, we will cancel, but if they are open I'm trying to figure our best options.

Ideally somewhere with good pub per square mileage in one central location. Thinking of a medium sized places, along the lines of Carrick or Kilkenny, where everything's pretty central.

Am thinking the likes of Enniskillen, Omagh, Derry, Newry but have no clue the quality of nightlife in any of them!

Anyone have any suggestions, even random spots that I probably wouldn't have even thought of!!

EmmetSpiceland · 10-04-2021 5:06pm

None, everywhere closes too early and the natives are not very friendly.

If you’re “stuck” and have to go then I’d say stick with Derry.

Montage of Feck · 10-04-2021 5:09pm

Misread the title as "best town for slags"! Freudian slip?

alchemist33 · 10-04-2021 5:11pm

Assuming you're avoiding Belfast, go for Derry as it has a greater number of pubs and is more used to tourists

Larbre34 · 10-04-2021 5:12pm

Northern Ireland is poxy for nightlife. Belfast has its spots, but with likely tensions in areas there for the foreseeable future, I'd be going anywhere else.

10-04-2021 5:14pm

Desperate nightlife up there. Pig thick bouncers grabbing your pint glass out of your hand the very minute closing time is reached. Soulless pubs. Suspicious locals. No chance of a lock-in.

To be honest even some hellhole like Portlaoise or Tipperary town would be a better choice.

pgj2015 · 10-04-2021 6:41pm

Montage of Feck wrote: »

Misread the title as "best town for slags"! Freudian slip?

Derry.

circadian · 10-04-2021 6:44pm

EmmetSpiceland wrote: »

None, everywhere closes too early and the natives are not very friendly.

If you’re “stuck” and have to go then I’d say stick with Derry.

Ah here, despite the moaning of people on here about how dour us nordies are we're a fairly welcoming bunch.

I've met up with many travelling mates when I'm home in Derry and they all remark how open and chatty people are if you're just sitting by yourself in the pub.

10-04-2021 6:45pm

If you're going around Halloween, go to Derry

circadian · 10-04-2021 6:46pm

sambowden wrote: »

Hey,
Organising stag for late in the year, probably going to head up North as it has a better chance of pubs being open then. If its all closed down then so be it, we will cancel, but if they are open I'm trying to figure our best options.

Ideally somewhere with good pub per square mileage in one central location. Thinking of a medium sized places, along the lines of Carrick or Kilkenny, where everything's pretty central.

Am thinking the likes of Enniskillen, Omagh, Derry, Newry but have no clue the quality of nightlife in any of them!

Anyone have any suggestions, even random spots that I probably wouldn't have even thought of!!

In normal times Derry has a good nightlife. If it's pub crawling then Waterloo Street all the way across Castle Gate to Bennigans on John St will cover plenty of good bars, live music is pretty common too.

Haven't been clubbing in Derry in a long time but the Nerve Centre and upstairs in Masons were great spots and Sugar or whatever it's called these days is your run of the mill big nightclub.

sambowden · 10-04-2021 8:43pm

i assume there are late bars up there like down south, open until like 2am!?? Wouldnt be any of us too interested in night clubs I dont think.

Sounds like Derry might be best bet. Suits us as we are coming mainly from the west so handier than the other side.

Think at this stage Im just in a 'beggars cant be choosers' kind of mindset and as you can imagine Im just hedging my bets a bit by going up north - more chance of pubs being fully open and as we have to book some accommodation soon enough Im not left with much options...

Our alternative was to rent out a big gaff somewhere and thats still an option but just thinking lads might be a bit sick of drinking in houses at that stage as we have a summer of that ahead of us.

EmmetSpiceland · 10-04-2021 8:48pm

sambowden wrote: »

i assume there are late bars up there like down south, open until like 2am!?? Wouldnt be any of us too interested in night clubs I dont think.

Check “closing times” well in advance. Also, be wary of the nationalists just as much as the unionists. Nothing worse than having some screeching nordie in your ear ranting about how the people of “free state” abandoned them.

And, please, steer clear of Portadown. It’s nothing but a hive of spite and malice.

jimmycrackcorm · 10-04-2021 8:53pm

bubblypop wrote: »

If you're going around Halloween, go to Derry

But make sure you're wearing fancy dress otherwise you'll stand out like a sore thumb.

10-04-2021 8:54pm

Cushendall

sambowden · 10-04-2021 9:12pm

been reading pubs must close no later than 1am in Derry, is that still the case!? Any talk of it changing once they reopen this summer?

That would be a bit of a deal breaker alright I'd say, 1am is very early!!

Hangdogroad · 10-04-2021 11:17pm

Larne, Ballymena and Portadown.

BalcombeSt4 · 11-04-2021 1:53am

Nice pubs in, Strabane, Clady, Crossmaglen, Cappagh, Silverbridge, Carrickmore, Coleraine, Keady, Bessbrook, Belleeks, Camlough, Newtownhamilton & Charlemont.

Most of the small villages like Belleeks & Cappagh only have the 1 pub

BalcombeSt4 · 11-04-2021 2:01am

EmmetSpiceland wrote: »

None, everywhere closes too early and the natives are not very friendly.

If you’re “stuck” and have to go then I’d say stick with Derry.

Ah yeah those 2 million northerner's are unfriendly.

Unlike Dublin were nobody will try to rob you or sell you pills &/or heroin the second you get of the train.

sambowden · 11-04-2021 2:58pm

cheers, will check them out, ya I'd say there would need to be at least 5 or 6 pubs, also a also a decent sized hotel to fit all 15/20 of us.

dxhound2005 · 11-04-2021 8:06pm

BalcombeSt4 wrote: »

Nice pubs in, Strabane, Clady, Crossmaglen, Cappagh, Silverbridge, Carrickmore, Coleraine, Keady, Bessbrook, Belleeks, Camlough, Newtownhamilton & Charlemont.

Most of the small villages like Belleeks & Cappagh only have the 1 pub

I'd say it would be a first for the likes of Silverbridge, Beleeks or Newtownhamilton to host a stag party.

11-04-2021 8:14pm

Everything closes early in Northern Ireland and I think the main nightclub in Derry (which also closes early) shut down a few years back.

Dunno why Belleek is mentioned. It has 2 pubs, the hotel can’t be relied upon to be open and the locals always bussed it to Bundoran anyway.

dxhound2005 · 11-04-2021 8:19pm

Strawberry Milkshake wrote: »

Everything closes early in Northern Ireland and I think the main nightclub in Derry (which also closes early) shut down a few years back.

Dunno why Belleek is mentioned. It has 2 pubs, the hotel can’t be relied upon to be open and the locals always bussed it to Bundoran anyway.

Beleeks, Co Armagh.

11-04-2021 8:20pm

dxhound2005 wrote: »

Beleeks, Co Armagh.

Oh. Carry on then I don’t know that place

Aongus Von Bismarck · 11-04-2021 8:40pm

Northern Ireland has a handful of excellent golf courses and a pleasant coastal drive. There's very little else to recommend about it. Belfast is a dour and grey little city, and you can almost smell the bitterness and resentment off the place. Everything closes early as well, and we found ourselves back at the bar at the Fitzwilliam at 12.30 to get a night cap. Certainly wouldn't recommend it for a stag.

What I've always found surprising about people from Northern Ireland is they consider themselves really friendly. Preposterous. The much-vaunted Ulster Fry tends to be little more than a plate of grease and cheap pieces of highly-processed pig meat.

Dreadful part of the world.

Fann Linn · 11-04-2021 8:42pm

Hangdogroad wrote: »

Larne, Ballymena and Portadown.

Especially in July.

Fann Linn · 11-04-2021 8:44pm

Going to throw the cat amongst the pigeons here but I went to a great stags in Monaghan years ago.

EmmetSpiceland · 11-04-2021 8:49pm

Fann Linn wrote: »

Going to throw the cat amongst the pigeons here but I went to a great stags in Monaghan years ago.

Monaghan is in the republic.

Fann Linn · 11-04-2021 8:51pm

EmmetSpiceland wrote: »

Monaghan is in the republic.

I know. Hence the reason I said I'll throw the cat amongst the pigeons.

wally79 · 11-04-2021 8:54pm

Fann Linn wrote: »

I know. Hence the reason I said I'll throw the cat amongst the pigeons.

OP is worried restrictions in republic will still be in place hence looking at NI

awec · 11-04-2021 9:02pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Desperate nightlife up there. Pig thick bouncers grabbing your pint glass out of your hand the very minute closing time is reached. Soulless pubs. Suspicious locals. No chance of a lock-in.

To be honest even some hellhole like Portlaoise or Tipperary town would be a better choice.

Aongus Von Bismarck wrote: »

Northern Ireland has a handful of excellent golf courses and a pleasant coastal drive. There's very little else to recommend about it. Belfast is a dour and grey little city, and you can almost smell the bitterness and resentment off the place. Everything closes early as well, and we found ourselves back at the bar at the Fitzwilliam at 12.30 to get a night cap. Certainly wouldn't recommend it for a stag.

What I've always found surprising about people from Northern Ireland is they consider themselves really friendly. Preposterous. The much-vaunted Ulster Fry tends to be little more than a plate of grease and cheap pieces of highly-processed pig meat.

Dreadful part of the world.

Always amusing reading the thoughts of those who have clearly never set foot north of the border.

OP, northerners are of course friendly, as friendly as anywhere else. We do have a very low tolerance for pompous, pretentious visitors who visit with a misplaced sense of superiority. I suppose like anywhere else really. OP, if you fall into this category you might think northerners are unfriendly.

Personally, I'd recommend Belfast. Good for pub crawls are there are lots of good pubs in a short walking distance. IMO it's better than Dublin in some respects.

Unfortunately, the 1am closing time is pretty much universal and it's enforced pretty rigidly. This is the major downfall.

pgj2015 · 11-04-2021 9:11pm

awec wrote: »

Always amusing reading the thoughts of those who have clearly never set foot north of the border.

OP, northerners are of course friendly, as friendly as anywhere else. We do have a very low tolerance for pompous, pretentious visitors who visit with a misplaced sense of superiority. I suppose like anywhere else really. OP, if you fall into this category you might think northerners are unfriendly.

Personally, I'd recommend Belfast. Good for pub crawls are there are lots of good pubs in a short walking distance. IMO it's better than Dublin in some respects.

Unfortunately, the 1am closing time is pretty much universal and it's enforced pretty rigidly. This is the major downfall.

No one from the south is going to be booking Belfast after what has gone on there this week.

jippo nolan · 11-04-2021 9:19pm

A couple of great pubs in Castlederg, I had great craic there!

chosen1 · 11-04-2021 10:41pm

I've been to a stag in Omagh before and had a great night.

We were staying at an outdoor adventure centre closer to Ballygally but went to Omagh for the night out. There's a complex in the town that has a number of good bars all and the street they are on is roofed off and gated in.

Know plenty on here have said you won't be welcome but I've rarely experienced this up north. I'd say alot depends on your attitude to begin with and I've been made welcome from both sides up there.

As a number of people have said, closing time is much earlier than down south so be prepared and be stocked up wherever you are staying for when you get back.

sambowden · 12-04-2021 12:01am

chosen1 wrote: »

I've been to a stag in Omagh before and had a great night.

We were staying at an outdoor adventure centre closer to Ballygally but went to Omagh for the night out. There's a complex in the town that has a number of good bars all and the street they are on is roofed off and gated in.

Know plenty on here have said you won't be welcome but I've rarely experienced this up north. I'd say alot depends on your attitude to begin with and I've been made welcome from both sides up there.

As a number of people have said, closing time is much earlier than down south so be prepared and be stocked up wherever you are staying for when you get back.

Deadly, that sounds really good. I will add it to the list and check out accommodation. Cheers.

sambowden · 12-04-2021 10:20am

From checking out hotels for our dates it looks like I can shortlist it to Derry, Omagh, Enniskillen, Portstewart, Portrush & Armagh. Any of those stand out?

gmisk · 12-04-2021 10:24am

pgj2015 wrote: »

No one from the south is going to be booking Belfast after what has gone on there this week.

Fighting at a "peace wall", it wouldn't put me off tbh.
Its one small and notoriously fiery area, its not as if the entire place is on fire lol.
I have Belfast booked for June.

gmisk · 12-04-2021 10:24am

sambowden wrote: »

From checking out hotels for our dates it looks like I can shortlist it to Derry, Omagh, Enniskillen, Portstewart, Portrush & Armagh. Any of those stand out?

Derry by a mile imo.
Decent pubs, people are friendly, small and easy to get around.
Are you driving?
If not will take two trains from dublin to get there.

pgj2015 · 12-04-2021 10:26am

gmisk wrote: »

Fighting at a "peace wall", it wouldn't put me off tbh.
Its one small and notoriously fiery area, its not as if the entire place is on fire lol.
I have Belfast booked for June.

I usually prefer travelling on busses without the fear a petrol bomb might be thrown into it.:)

Anaki r2d2 · 12-04-2021 10:27am

sambowden wrote: »

From checking out hotels for our dates it looks like I can shortlist it to Derry, Omagh, Enniskillen, Portstewart, Portrush & Armagh. Any of those stand out?

Enniskillen is a small town. 6 pubs worth talking about. I would skip it. Most pubs would not really want a stag. You might get refused at the door.

gmisk · 12-04-2021 10:29am

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Cushendall

Er really?!
Outside of Johnny Joe's I wouldn't have thought the pubs are great?

I am shocked it got a mention....I am from there.... lol

SharpshooterTom · 12-04-2021 10:29am

Larbre34 wrote: »

Northern Ireland is poxy for nightlife. Belfast has its spots, but with likely tensions in areas there for the foreseeable future, I'd be going anywhere else.

Why do people act like its Syria or Baghdad? The rioting usually takes place in ****hole estates in the outskirts of towns that tourists never venture into.

What Boards has taught me is how many people in south have such an inaccurate and ignorant views on the North.

People criticise the English for being ignorant over Ireland some people in ROI equally have dumb and frankly idiotic views about NI.

gmisk · 12-04-2021 10:30am

pgj2015 wrote: »

I usually prefer travelling on busses without the fear a petrol bomb might be thrown into it.:)

You do know there was no one on the bus right....

All you free staters are so soft....lol

pgj2015 · 12-04-2021 10:40am

gmisk wrote: »

You do know there was no one on the bus right....

All you free staters are so soft....lol

I thought the bus driver was still on it?

still though, you would never have something like that happen in the south. even in the roughest parts of Dublin.

Anaki r2d2 · 12-04-2021 10:49am

pgj2015 wrote: »

I thought the bus driver was still on it?

still though, you would never have something like that happen in the south. even in the roughest parts of Dublin.

Really? No shootings happen in Dublin? No gangland activity in Drogheda?

bucketybuck · 12-04-2021 10:55am

pgj2015 wrote: »

still though, you would never have something like that happen in the south. even in the roughest parts of Dublin.

I must have dreamt that burnt down LIDL in Tallaght then.

pgj2015 · 12-04-2021 10:57am

Anaki r2d2 wrote: »

Really? No shootings happen in Dublin? No gangland activity in Drogheda?

no one ever threw a petrol bomb onto a bus in the south.

pgj2015 · 12-04-2021 10:58am

bucketybuck wrote: »

I must have dreamt that burnt down LIDL in Tallaght then.

burnt down? that was a digger that did the damage not a result of petrol bombs.

bucketybuck · 12-04-2021 10:59am

pgj2015 wrote: »

burnt down? that was a digger that did the damage not a result of petrol bombs.

Ok, so when you said "something like that" what you actually meant was "exactly like this very specific thing I now want to pretend that I originally meant".

pgj2015 · 12-04-2021 11:10am

bucketybuck wrote: »

Ok, so when you said "something like that" what you actually meant was "exactly like this very specific thing I now want to pretend that I originally meant".

no one was in danger when they tore down the lidl, there wasnt any customers inside. But to me it is dangerous when people are fire bombing busses that are working.

gmisk · 12-04-2021 11:12am

Anaki r2d2 wrote: »

Really? No shootings happen in Dublin? No gangland activity in Drogheda?

Also buses in dublin are attacked....it's why they have to curtail some routes like cherry orchard pretty frequently....lol

gmisk · 12-04-2021 11:14am

pgj2015 wrote: »

no one was in danger when they tore down the lidl, there wasnt any customers inside. But to me it is dangerous when people are fire bombing busses that are working.

The bus was hijacked it's in the reports.
It was a horrible incident but it isn't a regular thing in northern ireland despite the reports.

Best towns in Northern Ireland for Stags

Comments