Business Details
The Hillside: Hillsborough's Oldest Pub Since 1752
Established in 1752, The Hillside stands as Hillsborough's oldest pub, blending historic charm with modern hospitality. Nestled in the heart of County Down, our venue offers a unique experience through our commitment to local produce, seasonal menus, and warm service. The restaurant showcases the finest ingredients from County Down, while our bar remains a hub for traditional ales, craft beers, and live music. Our cobblestone beer garden provides summer relaxation, complemented by roaring open fires in winter.As a dog-friendly establishment, we welcome all visitors to enjoy our authentic Georgian architecture and rich history. With private dining rooms accommodating up to 50 guests, we specialize in creating memorable events tailored to individual needs. Our team maintains the legacy of this historic pub while embracing contemporary comforts, ensuring every visitor experiences the warmth and character that have defined The Hillside for nearly three centuries.
Services
Restaurant
Bar
Private Hire
Gift Vouchers
Beer Garden
Highlights and features
- We offer seasonal menus crafted from County Down's finest local produce
- Our historic pub has operated continuously since 1752
- We provide private dining spaces for events up to 50 guests
- Our team maintains authentic Georgian architecture with modern comforts
- We host traditional live music sessions in a dog-friendly environment
What people say
Excellent food
Friendly service
Comfortable surroundings
Memorable experience
Perfect gift option
Services
Restaurant
Our restaurant serves seasonal menus crafted from County Down's finest local produce. The Head Chef creates dishes that showcase regional ingredients, with special festive menus available. Open seven days a week, the restaurant combines historic ambiance with modern culinary excellence, offering three-course meals priced from 37. The space accommodates both casual dining and special occasions.
Bar
The traditional bar offers real ales, craft beers, and extensive whiskey and gin selections. Maintaining historic traditions while serving modern tastes, the bar features roaring open fires in winter. The venue hosts live music sessions and provides both indoor and outdoor drinking options through its cobblestone beer garden.
Private Hire
Two private dining rooms accommodate events for up to 50 guests. The space works for intimate celebrations and business meetings, with tailored menus and entertainment options. Recent weddings demonstrate the venue's ability to create personalized experiences while maintaining historic charm and exceptional service standards.
Gift Vouchers
Online gift vouchers provide flexible gifting options for food and drink experiences. These digital vouchers suit special occasions, allowing recipients to enjoy the pub's offerings at their convenience. The system enables easy purchase and redemption across both restaurant and bar services.
Beer Garden
The cobblestone beer garden offers summer relaxation with cold drinks in a historic setting. This outdoor space maintains the venue's character while providing comfortable seating and social atmosphere. The garden connects to the main building's historic features while serving as a modern outdoor hospitality area.
Questions
What is The Hillside's historical significance?
Established in 1752, The Hillside is Hillsborough's oldest pub with continuous operation. The building retains original Georgian features including historic fireplaces and architectural elements from different ownership periods.
What dining options are available?
We offer seasonal menus using County Down produce, with three-course meals priced from £37. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner seven days a week, featuring special festive menus during Christmas.
Can I book private events at The Hillside?
Yes, we have two private dining rooms accommodating up to 50 guests. The space works for weddings, celebrations, and business meetings with tailored menus and event planning support.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept online gift vouchers for food and drink purchases. For other payments, please contact us directly as specific methods may vary based on current arrangements.
Are there outdoor seating options?
Yes, our cobblestone beer garden provides summer seating with cold drinks. The outdoor space maintains historic character while offering comfortable relaxation in good weather.
What are your opening hours?
The restaurant and bar operate seven days a week. Specific daily opening times vary, so we recommend checking our website or contacting us directly for the most current schedule.
Reviews (5)
Joanne Mcaleer
Jan 28, 2022
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Very poor service with extra long wait for food. Booked for 1pm eating at 3pm. Plenty of excuses but not good enough.
Trevor
Jan 26, 2022
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The Sunday roasts here are superb with the roast pork being my favourite. A friendly owner who enjoys his job and has time for every customer, a great selection of beer and whiskey, and either a beer garden for the good days, or a nice cosey fire for the colder ones, a fantastic bar all round.
Lynda Day
Nov 29, 2021
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We arrived at the hillside at 4.30pn to eat and enjoy a meal out with my friends. 3 of us. We sat at a table by the fire and ordered a bottle of wine and when the 2 people who where at the large table by the window left we moved over to the bigger table to enjoy space for our food, which we had not yet ordered. The lovely little waitress was sent to tell us we had to move from this table as it was booked for 7.30pm. It was only 5.15 pm and we assured them we would be gone by 6.45pm. No we still could not sit there we had to move. We then proceeded to the restaurant where we were further humiliated
Chanie Taggart
Nov 28, 2021
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The food we ordered was well presented and tasty. But it took so long for us to get served. We were given the menu but the waitress seem to forget about us. Have to go and find someone to take the order.
Kate
Nov 25, 2021
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Ate here on a trip to Hillsborough at the weekend. Food was good when it finally arrived - 45 minutes after we ordered. In fairness one of our main courses was removed from our bill due to the wait but it was still an extremely long time to wait. Also none of the staff were wearing masks or face coverings, I found this very off-putting in the current climate. Shame because the food was nice and the atmosphere is lovely but those two things would prevent me from returning unfortunately.
