Ebrington to the Guildhall

Best time: Friday or Saturday: arrive at Walled City Brewery for a 5pm dinner sitting (kitchen to 9pm), then cross the bridge for the Taphouse, Blackbird and Sandino's, which all trade until 1am or later. Monday–Thursday also works from 4:30pm. Opening hours change, so check each venue before you set off.

The stops

1. 

   Walled City Brewery

   70 Ebrington Square, Ebrington, Derry~Londonderry BT47 6FA · Derry~Londonderry railway station (NI Railways from Belfast and Coleraine) is on the Waterside, a short walk along the river to Ebrington

   Derry's first city-centre brewery in over a century (2015), run by ex-Guinness brewer James Huey in the 1890s military pay office on Ebrington Square at the Waterside end of the Peace Bridge. Beers are brewed on site (core range includes the 1689 Imperial Stout and Derry Girls-themed brews), served with a locally sourced restaurant menu. Kitchen hours (April–October): Monday–Thursday 4:30pm–8pm, Friday–Saturday 1pm–3pm and 5pm–9pm, Sunday 1pm–5pm. Tour & tasting sessions bookable.

   Open in Google Maps

2. 

   The Guildhall Taphouse

   4 Custom House Street, Derry~Londonderry BT48 6AD · Cross the Peace Bridge; the Taphouse is behind the Guildhall

   Derry's first dedicated craft beer and cocktail bar (2016), in a 19th-century merchant building beside the Guildhall. Irish and international craft on tap, home of the Dopey Dick brewery, food daily 12pm–6pm and live music seven nights. Named Northern Ireland's Pub & Bar of the Year 2026. Open daily from noon until late (around 1am, 1:30am Friday and Saturday).

   Open in Google Maps

3. 

   Blackbird

   24 Foyle Street, Derry~Londonderry BT48 6AL · Foyle Street bus centre (Ulsterbus/Goldline and cross-border coaches) is next door

   Independent free house beside the Foyle Street bus centre with a rotating list of beers from Derry, Northern Ireland and beyond, plus cocktails and a full gastropub kitchen. Open Monday–Saturday from 11:30am (to midnight, 1am Thursday–Saturday) and Sunday from noon.

   Open in Google Maps

4. 

   Sandino's

   1 Water Street, Derry~Londonderry BT48 6BQ · Foyle Street bus centre, about 2 min walk

   Iconic independent café-bar on the corner of Water Street and Foyle Street, named after Nicaraguan revolutionary Augusto Sandino: live music, arts nights and a famously left-leaning, welcoming crowd. Open daily from 12:30pm until 1:30am (1am Sunday).

   Open in Google Maps

Walled City's taproom is now private-hire only. Drink their beer with a meal in the restaurant, and book at weekends.

Sandino's is a music and character bar rather than a craft bar; it's here as the late finish.

Want more? Waterloo Street (Route 2) starts about 400 m away, up through the walls from Sandino's.

Derry Halloween (28–31 October 2026) makes the city centre very busy; expect queues and timed-entry zones.