A lively Belfast Irish pub with strong live music, sports and atmosphere, but recurring concerns about cleanliness, noise, inconsistent service and expensive drinks make it a better entertainment stop than a dependable all-rounder.
The Points offers historic pub character, fireplace seating, and live music on Dublin Road, with toasties as its clearest food strength. Recurring dirty-glass complaints and uneven service, including some sharply negative recent reports, keep it from grade B territory. Food pricing is budget-friendly, but inconsistent execution limits its appeal beyond the music and atmosphere.
The Points is a cavernous, characterful Belfast pub built around live music, drinks and a lively crowd rather than quiet dining. The old fireplace, dark rooms and traditional Irish performances create a memorable scene; as one visitor put it, the place feels like "a real pub night with music in its bones." The central Dublin Road location makes it an easy stop for visitors and groups, especially on busy music or sports evenings. The food is a compact toastie program rather than a serious kitchen: the £7 melts are straightforward, hearty pub fuel, with a £11.50 toastie-and-pint option and one vegan falafel choice. The real draw is entertainment, not culinary ambition. Expect a split personality: fast, friendly bar service and excellent music on a good night, but also reports of poor Guinness pours, expensive drinks, unreliable sports streaming and service clashes. This is not an especially family-oriented destination. The menu has familiar options such as ham and cheese, buffalo chicken and beef toasties, plus a vegan falafel toastie, but the late-night bar setting, alcohol focus, loud music and repeated reports of dirty bathrooms make it unsuitable for most families with young children. Adults should visit for the pub experience, not a relaxed family meal.
Area vibe: Lively central Belfast district known for nightlife, music, shopping, and city-centre services.
Safety: Generally busy and well-lit near main routes, with nightlife crowds and some late-night disorder risk.
What's nearby: Near Belfast Grand Central Station, Great Victoria Street, Europa Buscentre, city-centre nightlife, and major shopping streets.
The £7 toasties are the safest bet, with a toastie-and-pint deal and one vegan option worth knowing about.
Expect affordable but small toasties, loud music, no reservation requirement, and cleanliness and drink-service issues that can affect the night.
Its fireplace, traditional music, dancing, and sports-bar energy create a memorable pub night, but the main bar can be too loud for conversation.