In a cobbled alleyway off buzzing Hill St, the snug, traditional Duke feels like a living museum. There's regular live music; local band Snow Patrol played some of their earliest gigs here. Outside on Commercial Ct, a canopy of umbrellas leads to an outdoor area covered with murals depicting Belfast life; it takes on a street-party atmosphere in warm weather.
The Duke of York is one of several Hill St establishments owned by Willie Jack, whose nearby properties include the Dark Horse, a dimly lit, wood-panelled space that contains a Game of Thrones door, and the Harp Bar, with a Victorian-style interior (think red velvet and antique-filled cabinets). Both have live music at weekends.
