The Cocktail Bar at The Merchant Hotel is an elegant public bar and dining space in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter. Antique Baccarat chandeliers, an ornate fireplace and carefully preserved architectural details give the room a sense of occasion before the first drink arrives. It is open to non residents as well as hotel guests, with seating offered on a walk in basis.
Food is served from midday into the evening and covers more than snacks. Lighter dishes include soup, smoked salmon, baked goat’s cheese and seared scallops, while Merchant classics range from a chicken club and steak ciabatta to an Irish beef burger, fish and chips and dry aged ribeye. Vegetarian salad, a plant based burger and truffle macaroni broaden the selection.
Freshly baked pastries and smaller plates suit a daytime visit, while charcuterie and richer mains can support a longer evening. The menu’s range means the room can function as a place for a light meal, not only as a waiting area before another restaurant. Seasonal ingredients and polished hotel service connect the dishes with the wider Merchant experience.
Cocktails remain the central attraction, moving between precisely made classics and original house creations. Rare spirits, vintage Champagne and a broad drinks cabinet give the team plenty of ways to tailor a recommendation. The combination of serious drinks, substantial food and an unusually grand historic interior makes this a destination bar in its own right.
Address: 16 Skipper Street, Belfast BT1 2DZ, United Kingdom
The Cocktail Bar at The Merchant Hotel Menu
Snacks and Sharing
Bowl of Spanish Gordal Olives
Irish Lamb Kofta
Satay sauce
Roast Red Pepper and Feta Dip
Walnut, pomegranate, radish, yoghurt, flat bread. VA: Can be adapted to suit vegan dietary requirements.
Spiced Crispy Cauliflower
Pickled ginger, gochujang sauce. VA: Can be adapted to suit vegan dietary requirements.
Merchant Loaded Nachos
Wagyu beef mince, pico de gallo, pickled jalapeno, feta crumble, herb aioli. VA: Can be adapted to suit vegan dietary requirements.
Chorizo and Portavogie Prawn Empanada
Pickled slaw, spring onion mayo
Charcuterie for Two
Cured meats, cheese selection, olives, pickles, chutney, stuffed pepper, crackers and toasted melba
Signature Plates
Soup of the Day
Please ask your server. Served with Merchant Wheaten. VA: Can be adapted to suit vegan dietary requirements.
County Tyrone Hereford Sirloin Steak
Café de Paris butter, hand-cut chips, rocket and parmesan salad
Battered Cod Fillet
Minted garden peas, chips, tartare sauce
Hereford Beef Pastrami Sandwich
Smoked mustard mayo, pickles, Gold River leaves on focaccia
Free-Range Chicken Sandwich
Smoked provolone cheese, crisp rocket, romesco sauce on focaccia
Rigatoni Pasta
San Marzano tomato, burrata, garden herb pesto, toasted hazelnuts
Burgers
Merchant Crispy Fried Chicken Burger
Smoked bacon jam, ranch dressing
8oz Double Smash Cheeseburger
Caramelised red onion and cashew jam, triple cheese sauce
Katsu Sweet Potato Burger
Carrot and spring onion kimchi, smoked garlic and sesame. VA: Can be adapted to suit vegan dietary requirements.
Salads and Sides
Small / Large
Merchant Caesar Salad
Add Chicken
Classic Niçoise Salad
Olives, free-range soft egg, fine beans, anchovies, potato, salad leaves, tuna dressing
Merchant Loaded Nachos
Wagyu beef mince, pico de gallo, pickled jalapeno, feta crumble, herb aioli. VA: Can be adapted to suit vegan dietary requirements.
Hand-Cut Chips
Sweet Plates
*Available between 11am and 5pm
Freshly Baked Pastries
Croissant, pain au raisin or pain au chocolat (please allow 15 minutes)
Plain or Fruit Scones
3 homemade scones with Devon clotted cream and strawberry preserve (please allow 15 minutes)
Seasonal Fruit Tart
Crème pâtissière
Bread and Butter Pudding
McConnell’s Irish Whisky Cream
Lemon and Raspberry Sable
Pot of Tea
Merchant Tea Blend
Earl Grey Blue Flower
Darjeeling Second Flush
Green Tea Ginseng
Coffee
Americano
Latte
Cafe Mocha
Cappuccino
Irish Whiskey
All spirits served in 35ml measures.
Black Bush
40%
Bushmills Original
40%
Jameson
40%
Jameson 18 year old
40%
Scotch Whisky
All spirits served in 35ml measures.
Chivas 12 year old
40%
Johnnie Walker Black
40%
Johnnie Walker Blue
40%
Lagavulin 16 year old
43%
American Whiskey
All spirits served in 35ml measures.
Bulleit
45%
Makers Mark
40%
Woodford Reserve
43.2%
Bulleit Rye
45%
Gin
All spirits served in 35ml measures.
Boatyard Double
46%
Drumshanbo Gunpowder
43%
Hendricks
41.4%
Monkey 47
47%
Beer and Cider
Asahi
Japan, 35cl 5%
Heineken
Netherlands, 33cl 5%
Guinness Draught (Can)
Ireland, 44cl 4.2%
Signature Cocktails
Our latest drinks list, crafted with local produce and sustainable practices.
Honey
Boatyard Gin; Lemon Sherbet; Honey infused Sake; Krupnik Honey Tea Bitters
Carrot
Kadoo 8 Year Rum; Bushmills 10 Year Single Malt Whiskey; Pain d’Epices Liqueur; Toasted Milk and Carrot Punch; Vanilla Cream Foam
Coffee
Absolut Elyx Vodka; Plantation OFTD Rum; Tio Pepe Fino Sherry; Gloria Coffee Liqueur; Condensed Milk; Cold Brew Coffee