Mango’s Travel Guide to Bangor, Northern Ireland 

If you’re considering discovering more of Northern Ireland, then our hometown Bangor is a must-see! 

Recently awarded city status and located just 20 minutes from Belfast, Bangor has grown in popularity as an ideal destination with lots to see and do for those both near and far.  

With our head office based in Bangor, Northern Ireland – it’s no surprise that we have several favourite spots to give a special shout-out to! 

In this blog, we’ll provide the ultimate travel guide to make sure you make the most of your next visit to Bangor. 

For Food & Drink in Bangor

You can’t beat a good meal out! And fortunately, Bangor is full of fantastic restaurants, cafes and bars to get a taste of. While we wish we could list them all – here’s a few that we always find ourselves coming back to! 

Restaurants & Bars 

Whether it be dinner or just drinks, Bangor offers locals and visitors so much choice. From team nights out to client meetings, below are some staples for you to try out and enjoy: 

The Ava: Situated at the gateway of Bangor city (right next to the train station), The Ava offers something for everyone – including a public bar, wine bar, cocktail lounge and highly rated restaurant serving a mix of traditional mains and tapas-style dishes (we recommend the lobster and crayfish macaroni, or the mushroom and spinach piccata pasta for veggies!). 

The Jamaica Inn: With stunning sea views in a snug yet stylish inn, Jamaica Inn is a firm favourite for many, especially on a clear day! It also offers an extensive, eclectic menu of both modern and classic dishes, with their steaks being hard to beat! We love coming down here for their quiz nights and live music, too! 

Donegan’s: Located on High Street, Donegan’s offers one of Bangor’s best quizzes and beer gardens, making it a regular haunt for our staff! Its family feel, cosy surroundings and exceptional pub grub make it a great place to settle for an evening with friends or family.  

Jenny Watts: Best known as Bangor’s oldest public house (est. 1780), Jenny Watts is revered for its warm, welcoming atmosphere and being a go-to spot for watching sports. Its traditional menu is perfect for all personal preferences, and the sizeable portions won’t leave you hungry!  

Tuk Tuk Asian Bistro: Expect quirky decor and a delectable menu featuring dishes from across Southeast Asia at Tuk Tuk. A great place for those who love Thai, Vietnamese and Malaysian cuisine and want to be transported from Bangor’s quiet seafront to an authentic bustling bistro. 

Bokhara: If you’re in the mood for Indian, Bokhara boasts informal dining in a decorative restaurant with live singers during the weekends. From chef specials to traditional tandoor dishes – there’s something for everyone’s spice tolerance! 

Of course, there’s plenty more where that came from…we might need to do a 2.0 version of this guide to fit them all in! 

For Activities in Bangor 

From family days out to spending the weekend with friends, Bangor has plenty going on to keep you entertained! 

Open House Presents: A not-for-profit, year-round cultural festival that hosts events in venues throughout Bangor and Belfast. From outdoor concerts in local parks to comedy nights at the newly restored Court House (the heart of Bangor’s music and arts scene) – the Open House team always have a jam-packed schedule filled with lots of new things to do in and around the city.  

Eddie Irvine Sports: Owned by Formula One ace Eddie Irvine, Eddie Irvine Sports is one of Northern Ireland’s premier indoor sporting venues. Boasting Ireland’s best indoor karting tracks, as well as additional amenities and activities including six indoor football pitches, virtual reality racing simulators, golf simulator, roller disco, laser combat, pickleball, padel tennis and snooker tables – there really is something for everyone! 

Pickie Fun Park: Popular among families, Pickie Fun Park has been a staple attraction since Pickie Pool was built in 1937. Pickie Fun Park closed in early 2011 to be refurbished and modernised, now offering activities such as mini golf, the Pickie Puffer train, play and water parks, as well as the famous Pickie swans, which are a hit among all ages! 

For Nature in Bangor

We’re super lucky to be situated in a city with lots of stunning nature spots. Right by the sea, but also a stone’s throw away from parks and greenery – Bangor really has it all! Here’s a few of our top favourites:

Walled Garden: The Walled Garden is an idyllic brick-walled garden which can be accessed via Castle Park. Landscaped in the 1840s, the garden is open between April-November. It is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet, with varieties of flowers, plants, fruit and vegetables mixed with sculptures and a unique fountain. 

North Down Coastal Path: The North Down Coastal Path is a 25.5km (16 miles) linear signposted trail, extending from the esplanade in Holywood, Co. Down, through coastal habitats and country parks to reach the rocky Orlock Point, situated between Groomsport and Donaghadee. The section from Holywood to Bangor stretches 10 miles along rocky shores, fine sandy beaches, quiet coves, country parkland and busy promenades (a favourite among the Mango team – which we have completed twice as part of sponsored walks for local charities!). 

Ward Park: Ward Park is Bangor’s most well-known park, boasting 37-acres, a children’s playground, hockey pitches, cricket pitch, bowling greens, putting green, tennis courts, a duck pond and a selection of wildfowl housed in breeding pens. There’s also a large war memorial and located nearby is the main gun from the German U-19 U-boat built for the Imperial German Navy. 

While Ward Park already has lots to see and do, the popular annual ‘Picnic in the Park’ event, run by the Open House Festival, hosts free live music played from the bandstand every Sunday in July and August! Not only that, but there’s also Bangor’s public library and regular fitness classes which take place throughout the park. 

Eisenhower Pier & The Long Hole: The Eisenhower Pier is named after General Dwight D. Eisenhower, who visited Bangor in 1944 to prepare troops in the lead up to D-Day. The end of the pier, which overlooks Belfast Lough, features intricate mosaic artwork depicting scenes from Bangor’s past, with one of the panels commemorating the US Navy and the fleet of ships that departed in 1944. 
 
Under the pier hosts a colony of black guillemots, nicknamed the ‘Bangor Penguins’. 

The pier is also a popular fishing spot and provides great views over Bangor Marina and out over the Lough. Next to the pier is the original harbour, locally known as ‘The Long Hole’, that is still untouched over the years and provides a peaceful, scenic walkway for those who visit. 

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We hope you enjoy your future visit to Bangor! There’s definitely plenty more where that came from, so stay tuned for our travel guide to Bangor 2.0…