My friend and I went to Observatory this afternoon for a few cocktails to cap off our day shopping in Belfast. It is absolutely beautiful inside, so elegant, and they have a pianist playing music, which adds to the atmosphere.While our drinks were amazing, the service was quite frankly shocking. If you're going to charge £16 for a cocktail, I'd expect that the second my empty glass touched the table, someone was there to ask if I wanted another. Today, we were seated quickly with menus, and our first drink order was taken within a few minutes. After that, though, we sat for 20 minutes as each member of staff passing our table made eye contact but ignored the empty glasses on our table. At no point did anyone come to ask if we'd like to order another drink.Eventually, I flagged someone down and was abruptly left with "You'll have to wait a few minutes," which we did. Finally, we got to order our 2nd drink but then waited another 20 minutes for it to arrive. In that 40 minute wait between drinks, we could have drank another £16 cocktail each, so it seems like bad business practice to have customers at tables not drinking or ordering for the best part of an hour!
Francesco Sbicego
Terrible treatment! They prevented me from entering, once I went up to the roof, due to an "unsuitable outfit". Take it less! If the place is so exclusive you could have stopped me on the ground floor. And in any case a paying customer shouldn't be treated like this. Goodbye!
Cal N
Would have given zero stars if possible. We showed up well dressed and despite no signage were turned away because of “short staffing” that it was “residents only” by a very rude member of staff in the lobby. Have been here three times before with no issue and had a great time in the bar. Sad to say I will not be back.
Lauren A
We recently visited for pre-dinner drinks and the service, night time views and cocktails were excellent. Perfect for date night. The Botanical Garden cocktail (Japanese Blossom Gin, Raspberry, Lemon, Pineapple, Cherry Perfume) was gorgeous.
margaretbO9666EW
I recently enjoyed a splendid afternoon tea at the Observatory Belfast, and it exceeded all expectations. The breathtaking views from the observatory added a magical touch to the elegant atmosphere. The tea selection was impeccable, complemented by a delectable assortment of sandwiches, scones, and pastries. The staff's attentiveness and warm hospitality made the experience truly memorable. A perfect blend of sophistication, delicious treats, and stunning vistas – I highly recommend this gem for anyone seeking a delightful afternoon in Belfast. Five stars well-deserved!
bobinogs1
From the moment we walked into Grand Central Hotel Belfast and directed to the Observatory on the top floor to enjoy the stunning views over City Hall and the City, everything was perfect. The staff were so very friendly and accommodating. They even brought us over to the best table in the bar to enjoy the twinkling lights over Belfast when the opportunity arose. Can’t recommend this wonderful cocktail bar enough - it’s got to be experienced. Thank you all for a fabulous visit.
ebeckett333
I took my nana, granda and brother for afternoon tea which was booked for 3pm. We got there and the lady said “oh we thought it was only booked for 2 people” to which I showed her the booking confirmation which was for 4. We then had to wait 20 minutes for our table. When we eventually got our table we waited 45 minutes for hot drinks to be served (after I had already been up and asked how long it would be). We didn’t get our food until 4:30, none of the food was hot so I don’t understand how it took so long. Staff never made an effort to come over to ask us if we were ok, I had to go up to the staff and ask 3 times for a top of hot drinks. There were multiple staff members who purposely didn’t look at any customers, it was so hard to get their attention, they didn’t bring milk for the tea, spoons for one of the desserts or butter and jam for the scones. For £45 pp I am so disappointed with this service, there are much much better places for afternoon tea and I definitely do not recommend this place and I will not be back.
Pat Swail
Really bad service,had to wait 25 mins waitress left us a drink menu and said she would be back in 2 mins,served new group that just came in,we left and went somewhere else and wont be
Sharon Mc Shane
Very, very disappointing. A lot of pretenious hype about nothing really! Way too unjustifiably overpriced. 2 bottles of beer, 1 soft drink, 1 Gin&Tonic £58. Service was absolutely shocking. Took 25-35 minutes for each ordered drinks round to reach table, which would be understandable if it was busy but there was more staff than customers. Overall experience: been there, fiber that; would never be back and would definitely never recommend.
I like this place for the drinks, the piano player, and the service. I dislike it for the view and the arrangement. I was expecting a place called the "Observatory" to have much better and unobstructed views of the city. Unfortunately, there are only a handful of windows and you must be seated right next to one to see outside because of the glare from the too bright of lights inside. Nice to go but not that great.
Drew
This place is a fugazi. Made us wait to go upstairs behind a velvet rope just to get in a regular elevator. To get to the bar to find it half empty! Waited over 15 minutes for a drink! Plenty of ppl waiting tables but only one guy working the bar, our food actually arrived before the drinks. £60 for a 2 cocktails and a cheeseboard which were all very nice, but so slow.
ShazMcS
VERY VERY disappointing. It's a lot of pretentious hype about nothing and definitely wont be back. There was no atmosphere whatsoever and service was atrocious. Took 25-30 minutes for drinks to materialise after ordering. Could understand the wait if it was busy, but there was more staff than customers - some customers actually got fed up waiting and left. Drinks are very overpriced - 2 bottles peroni, 1 gin and tonic, 1 bottle corona and a diet coke - £58. Overall experience - been there, done that. Would definitely not be back nor recommending. There are other nicer, more atmospheric and non-pretentious bars within walking distance - go there instead!
mikepQ2666WD
Came up for a drink and to take in the view. Turned out to be a shambles with a view. Ordered the draught IPA and waited 30 minutes ( no word of a lie) to be told it was not available and that maintenance had been called. This was after I had chased it up. Also asked if they had any snacks and was told I would get some popcorn but that too never materialised. So, I opt for the Inedit draught beet instead. This too is not available and I am offered Peroni, Corona or Estrella by the bottle. Hardly class in a glass any of them and not really befitting the venue. No, they are not short staffed - loads of waiters and bar staff abound and zero customers at 5pm in the evening. Don't expect any quality here other than the view. Or even some nuts with your cocktails. Hugely disappointing.
Pauline Smith
Took me 3 times asking for a drinks menu before I got one. It took ages to get our drinks and this was 1030pm. Ambience is great
Great views of the city at night, very quiet and
My friend and I went to Observatory this afternoon for a few cocktails to cap off our day shopping in Belfast. It is absolutely beautiful inside, so elegant, and they have a pianist playing music, which adds to the atmosphere.While our drinks were amazing, the service was quite frankly shocking. If you're going to charge £16 for a cocktail, I'd expect that the second my empty glass touched the table, someone was there to ask if I wanted another. Today, we were seated quickly with menus, and our first drink order was taken within a few minutes. After that, though, we sat for 20 minutes as each member of staff passing our table made eye contact but ignored the empty glasses on our table. At no point did anyone come to ask if we'd like to order another drink.Eventually, I flagged someone down and was abruptly left with "You'll have to wait a few minutes," which we did. Finally, we got to order our 2nd drink but then waited another 20 minutes for it to arrive. In that 40 minute wait between drinks, we could have drank another £16 cocktail each, so it seems like bad business practice to have customers at tables not drinking or ordering for the best part of an hour!
Terrible treatment! They prevented me from entering, once I went up to the roof, due to an "unsuitable outfit". Take it less! If the place is so exclusive you could have stopped me on the ground floor. And in any case a paying customer shouldn't be treated like this. Goodbye!
Would have given zero stars if possible. We showed up well dressed and despite no signage were turned away because of “short staffing” that it was “residents only” by a very rude member of staff in the lobby. Have been here three times before with no issue and had a great time in the bar. Sad to say I will not be back.
We recently visited for pre-dinner drinks and the service, night time views and cocktails were excellent. Perfect for date night. The Botanical Garden cocktail (Japanese Blossom Gin, Raspberry, Lemon, Pineapple, Cherry Perfume) was gorgeous.
I recently enjoyed a splendid afternoon tea at the Observatory Belfast, and it exceeded all expectations. The breathtaking views from the observatory added a magical touch to the elegant atmosphere. The tea selection was impeccable, complemented by a delectable assortment of sandwiches, scones, and pastries. The staff's attentiveness and warm hospitality made the experience truly memorable. A perfect blend of sophistication, delicious treats, and stunning vistas – I highly recommend this gem for anyone seeking a delightful afternoon in Belfast. Five stars well-deserved!
From the moment we walked into Grand Central Hotel Belfast and directed to the Observatory on the top floor to enjoy the stunning views over City Hall and the City, everything was perfect. The staff were so very friendly and accommodating. They even brought us over to the best table in the bar to enjoy the twinkling lights over Belfast when the opportunity arose. Can’t recommend this wonderful cocktail bar enough - it’s got to be experienced. Thank you all for a fabulous visit.
I took my nana, granda and brother for afternoon tea which was booked for 3pm. We got there and the lady said “oh we thought it was only booked for 2 people” to which I showed her the booking confirmation which was for 4. We then had to wait 20 minutes for our table. When we eventually got our table we waited 45 minutes for hot drinks to be served (after I had already been up and asked how long it would be). We didn’t get our food until 4:30, none of the food was hot so I don’t understand how it took so long. Staff never made an effort to come over to ask us if we were ok, I had to go up to the staff and ask 3 times for a top of hot drinks. There were multiple staff members who purposely didn’t look at any customers, it was so hard to get their attention, they didn’t bring milk for the tea, spoons for one of the desserts or butter and jam for the scones. For £45 pp I am so disappointed with this service, there are much much better places for afternoon tea and I definitely do not recommend this place and I will not be back.
Really bad service,had to wait 25 mins waitress left us a drink menu and said she would be back in 2 mins,served new group that just came in,we left and went somewhere else and wont be
Very, very disappointing. A lot of pretenious hype about nothing really! Way too unjustifiably overpriced. 2 bottles of beer, 1 soft drink, 1 Gin&Tonic £58. Service was absolutely shocking. Took 25-35 minutes for each ordered drinks round to reach table, which would be understandable if it was busy but there was more staff than customers. Overall experience: been there, fiber that; would never be back and would definitely never recommend.
Restaurantji Recommends
I like this place for the drinks, the piano player, and the service. I dislike it for the view and the arrangement. I was expecting a place called the "Observatory" to have much better and unobstructed views of the city. Unfortunately, there are only a handful of windows and you must be seated right next to one to see outside because of the glare from the too bright of lights inside. Nice to go but not that great.
This place is a fugazi. Made us wait to go upstairs behind a velvet rope just to get in a regular elevator. To get to the bar to find it half empty! Waited over 15 minutes for a drink! Plenty of ppl waiting tables but only one guy working the bar, our food actually arrived before the drinks. £60 for a 2 cocktails and a cheeseboard which were all very nice, but so slow.
VERY VERY disappointing. It's a lot of pretentious hype about nothing and definitely wont be back. There was no atmosphere whatsoever and service was atrocious. Took 25-30 minutes for drinks to materialise after ordering. Could understand the wait if it was busy, but there was more staff than customers - some customers actually got fed up waiting and left. Drinks are very overpriced - 2 bottles peroni, 1 gin and tonic, 1 bottle corona and a diet coke - £58. Overall experience - been there, done that. Would definitely not be back nor recommending. There are other nicer, more atmospheric and non-pretentious bars within walking distance - go there instead!
Came up for a drink and to take in the view. Turned out to be a shambles with a view. Ordered the draught IPA and waited 30 minutes ( no word of a lie) to be told it was not available and that maintenance had been called. This was after I had chased it up. Also asked if they had any snacks and was told I would get some popcorn but that too never materialised. So, I opt for the Inedit draught beet instead. This too is not available and I am offered Peroni, Corona or Estrella by the bottle. Hardly class in a glass any of them and not really befitting the venue. No, they are not short staffed - loads of waiters and bar staff abound and zero customers at 5pm in the evening. Don't expect any quality here other than the view. Or even some nuts with your cocktails. Hugely disappointing.
Took me 3 times asking for a drinks menu before I got one. It took ages to get our drinks and this was 1030pm. Ambience is great