Winecellar Entry

The Belfast Entries are a series of historical narrow alleyways in the city centre of Belfast, Northern Ireland, mostly in the vicinity of High Street and Ann Street.

When the town was first laid out in the early 17th century, these alleyways serviced dense residential and commercial development.

The surviving examples retain pockets of historic development. The alley named Winecellar Entry gained its name in the early-19th century due to the number of winecellars and wine sellers that had been established along the alley.

The first pub in Belfast was probably in Winecellar Entry. In 1630, a tavern was granted a license to sell alcohol. White’s Bar is located in the Entry and claims to be the oldest pub in Belfast but the building in which it is located dates from the 1790s and replaced an earlier structure.

Next door to White’s Inn are the Oyster Rooms. These were established in 1868, by proprietor John Walker, a fish monger and spirit merchant. Fished from the loughs of Belfast and Carlingford, he became known for his supply of quality oyster to the city.

Do you want to learn more about the history of Belfast? Let me take you on my people and places tour!