Blackbird
24 Foyle Street, Derry~Londonderry BT48 6AL
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.
Lizzie O'Farrell's
26 Waterloo Street, Derry~Londonderry BT48 6HF
One of Derry's oldest pubs, formerly The Castle Bar, recently renovated, with live music seven nights a week (trad through to pop), live sport and a famous ghost story. Open daily from 12:30pm until 1:30am.
O'Loughlin's Irish House
27–31 Waterloo Street, Derry~Londonderry BT48 6HA
Traditional bar where you can pour your own pint of Guinness, with what it bills as Derry's largest whiskey selection, a snug called The Wee Bar, and live and trad bands Thursday to Sunday evenings.
Peadar O'Donnell's
59–63 Waterloo Street, Derry~Londonderry BT48 6HD
Derry's best-known trad music pub, with old grocer-pub decor and a flag collection. Sessions Monday–Thursday from 6pm and Friday–Sunday from 3pm; the connected Gweedore Bar has bands at weekends. Bought by the Downey group in April 2025 and still trading as before.
Sandino's
1 Water Street, Derry~Londonderry BT48 6BQ
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).
The Dungloe Bar
41–43 Waterloo Street, Derry~Londonderry BT48 6HD
Waterloo Street pub established in 1892 on the corner with High Street, known for live music (local bands, trad and new talent), food daily and a big heated beer garden with a stage. Open from 11:30am (12:30pm Sunday) until late.
The Guildhall Taphouse
4 Custom House Street, Derry~Londonderry BT48 6AD
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).
The Rocking Chair
15–17 Waterloo Street, Derry~Londonderry BT48 6HA
The 'Rocker', at the top of Waterloo Street under the city walls, with a heated terrace beer garden looking over the Bogside, food from noon and live music or karaoke most nights. Open daily from 12pm.
Walled City Brewery
70 Ebrington Square, Ebrington, Derry~Londonderry BT47 6FA
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.