The Cloth Ear
Cathedral Quarter, Belfast
Restaurant in Belfast, United Kingdom
Book with PearlThe Read
Price
$30–50per person
Why go
The Cloth Ear is a practical Cathedral Quarter choice when you want Merchant Hotel polish without committing to a formal tasting-menu-style booking. Pick it for dates, visiting friends, or drinks-led plans; choose The Muddlers Club or The Great Room Restaurant if the meal needs to feel more food-focused or formal.
About The Cloth Ear
Use The Cloth Ear as a Belfast option when opening hours matter and you want to compare it with other dining choices in the city. It is open daily from 12 PM, with later closing on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
A Belfast venue with broad weekly hours
The Cloth Ear is open Monday to Wednesday and Sunday, 12–11 PM; Thursday, 12 PM–12 AM; and Friday to Saturday, 12 PM–1 AM.
If you are comparing Belfast options, The Muddlers Club and The Great Room Restaurant are useful names to keep in the same planning set.
Who should choose it based on timing
Choose The Cloth Ear if its opening hours fit your plan. It may be especially practical when you need a Belfast venue open from midday or later into the evening.
For other Belfast dining ideas, compare it with Waterman, Beau, and other dining in the city.
Quick read: a Belfast venue open daily from 12 PM and later closing on Thursday through Saturday.
Planning details
- Hours
- Monday: 12–11 PM · Tuesday: 12–11 PM
- Location
- The Merchant Hotel, 16 Skipper St, Belfast BT1 2DZ, United Kingdom
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- themerchanthotel.com/the-cloth-ear
- Phone
- +44 28 9026 2719
Venue details
Ambiance
Warm, welcoming and lively, with an up-market pub feel, Victorian heritage details and a thoroughly modern finish.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
At the Table
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Kitchen
- Seasonal
- Menu Format
- A la carte
- Drinks Focus
- Local ales, Cocktails, Wine by the keg
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- The Merchant Hotel, 16 Skipper St, Belfast BT1 2DZ, United Kingdom
Planning details
Hours
- Monday
- 12–11 PM
- Tuesday
- 12–11 PM
- Wednesday
- 12–11 PM
- Thursday
- 12 PM–12 AM
- Friday
- 12 PM–1 AM
- Saturday
- 12 PM–1 AM
- Sunday
- 12–11 PM
Location
The Merchant Hotel, 16 Skipper St, Belfast BT1 2DZ, United Kingdom · Directions
Also consider
Also Consider
- The Great Room Restaurant, Notable alternative
- Muddlers Club, Notable alternative
- The Muddlers Club, Modern Cuisine, £££
- Beau, Notable alternative
- Waterman, Notable alternative
Restaurant context
How The Cloth Ear compares in Belfast
The Cloth Ear is the easier, more flexible pick beside Belfast's more food-led rooms. The Great Room Restaurant is the better choice for a formal hotel dining occasion, while The Cloth Ear suits a lower-pressure plan in the same city-centre orbit.
For diners prioritising modern cuisine, The Muddlers Club is the stronger booking, with a £££ signal and a more restaurant-first identity. The Cloth Ear makes more sense when booking ease, a relaxed room, and flexible timing matter more than a chef-led format.
Waterman and Beau are the useful cross-shops if The Cloth Ear is full or the group wants a different Belfast mood. Pick Waterman for a more food-focused plan; check Beau when ambiance and availability are the deciding factors.
Explore Belfast
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full The Cloth Ear guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare The Cloth Ear
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Price | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Cloth Ear | Belfast | No published awards | ||
| The Great Room Restaurant | Belfast | No published awards | ||
| Muddlers Club | Belfast | SquareMeal UK Top 100 Restaurants 2026 · #592026 National Restaurant Awards Top 100 · #902026 National Restaurant Awards - Best Restaurant in Northern IrelandMichelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 20262025 National Restaurant Awards Top 100 · #762025 National Restaurant Awards - Best Restaurant in Northern Ireland2025 The Sunday Times Ireland's 100 Best Restaurants2025 Michelin 1 Star2024 Michelin 1 Star | ||
| The Muddlers Club | Belfast | Modern Cuisine | £££ | SquareMeal UK Top 100 Restaurants 2026 · #592026 National Restaurant Awards Top 100 · #902026 National Restaurant Awards - Best Restaurant in Northern IrelandMichelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 20262025 National Restaurant Awards Top 100 · #762025 National Restaurant Awards - Best Restaurant in Northern Ireland2025 The Sunday Times Ireland's 100 Best Restaurants2025 Michelin 1 Star2024 Michelin 1 Star |
| Beau | Belfast | Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 20262026 Michelin Plate | ||
| Waterman | Belfast | SquareMeal UK Top 100 Restaurants 2026 · #68Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 20262026 Bib Gourmand2025 The Sunday Times Ireland's 100 Best Restaurants · #92025 Michelin Bib Gourmand2024 Michelin Bib Gourmand |
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How The Cloth Ear Belfast compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a first-timer know about The Cloth Ear?
The Cloth Ear is in Belfast and opens daily from 12 PM. Its hours are Monday to Wednesday and Sunday, 12–11 PM; Thursday, 12 PM–12 AM; and Friday to Saturday, 12 PM–1 AM.
Is The Cloth Ear good for a special occasion?
If you are choosing between Belfast options, compare the hours with your plans and contact the venue for details on reservations, group size, and setting.
Is lunch or dinner better at The Cloth Ear?
The Cloth Ear opens from 12 PM daily. For timing, note that it closes at 11 PM on Monday to Wednesday and Sunday, 12 AM on Thursday, and 1 AM on Friday and Saturday.
What are alternatives to The Cloth Ear in Belfast?
Other Belfast options to compare include The Great Room Restaurant, The Muddlers Club, Beau, and Waterman. The best choice depends on details such as availability, menu, atmosphere, and timing.
