One of the world’s most influential cocktail bars is coming to Belfast next week. Global cocktail icons Attaboy, the legendary New York bar consistently ranked among The World’s 50 Best Bars, will take over Rattlebag on Wednesday 27 August for one night only.
It’s something of a homecoming. The Lower East Side bar was co-founded in 2013 by Belfast native, Michael McIlroy alongside business partner Sam Ross. The pair, who met and cut their teeth at the iconic Milk & Honey, opened Attaboy on the very site made famous by legendary Milk & Honey founder and mentor, Sasha Petraske.
There’s another homegrown connection at the heart of the takeover too. Mikey Reihill, originally from Enniskillen, returns home alongside alongside Jon Nutter to showcase the craft that has cemented Attaboy’s place in cocktail history, now firmly established as one of the most influential cocktail bars in the world.
Known for revolutionising cocktail culture with their no-nonsense, tailormade approach, their ethos is the perfect match for Rattlebag. The intimate late-night speakeasy style cocktail bar located within Belfast’s Bullitt Hotel, has established a loyal fan base alongside a growing list of accolades, and was notably named one of the best bars in the world by the inaugural Pinnacle Guide — dubbed the ‘Michelin Guide for bars’. This recognition places Rattlebag firmly on the global stage and underscores Belfast’s rising reputation in the international cocktail scene.
The Belfast event follows a sell-out evening at The Sackville Lounge in Dublin on Sunday (24 August), and marks the second and final leg of Attaboy’s exclusive Irish tour, sponsored by Boatyard Distillery.
For the Rattlebag takeover, Reihill and Nutter will present a short, high-impact menu of classics, riffs, and signatures — with potential appearances from iconic serves such as the Paper Plane and Penicillin – alongside a bespoke Boatyard Double Gin Martini. The handpicked playlists will soundtrack the night, making for an immersive celebration of world-class cocktails.
The takeover promises to be a defining night in Belfast’s cocktail calendar; a fusion of New York innovation and the award-winning stage of Rattlebag.
Chris Wareing, Rattlebag bar manager, added: “We’re excited to welcome one of the original world-class cocktail bars to Belfast. Their influence on global cocktail culture is unmatched and has been a great source of inspiration for cocktail bars around the world, ourselves included. It promises to be a night to remember.”
Speaking ahead of the takeover, Mikey Reihill said: “Bringing a taste of Attaboy home to Belfast is something we’ve been talking about for quite some time, and we’re excited to make it happen.”
Declan McGurk, Managing Director of Boatyard Distillery said: “Attaboy makes the hairs stand on the back of my neck every time I visit. There’s something magical in that room that’s almost impossible to replicate, but we’re giving it a good go. To bring that magic home to two best-in-class bars using our own Boatyard will be something really special.”
The takeover will run from 7pm to late on Wednesday 27 August and will operate on a first-come-first-served basis. Guests are advised to arrive early to avoid disappointment.
Ahead of the evening service, Attaboy will host an exclusive sold-out seminar at Rattlebag, offering local bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts a rare opportunity to learn directly from two of the sharpest minds in global bartending.
And the spirit of collaboration doesn’t end there. On 1 September, Rattlebag’s Head Bartender Matt Knight will travel to Turku in Finland for another takeover at Bar4 further cementing Rattlebag’s reputation for building international connections and bringing Belfast’s cocktail culture to the global stage.
To find out more, or for information on future events, keep an eye on @rattlebag.belfast
- Attaboy opened in 2012 on the former site of the pioneering Milk & Honey on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. It is widely credited with shaping modern cocktail culture around the world. Attaboy’s Mikey Reihill and Jon Nutter are also behind Gamerboy, an NYC pop-up series merging video game nostalgia with cutting-edge drinks.
- Rattlebag in Belfast recently won Best Bar in Northern Ireland at the CLASS Awards and is listed on the esteemed Pinnacle Guide, a mark of international excellence.
- The Sackville Lounge is the new sister of Bar 1661 in Dublin, which has been named Ireland’s Best Cocktail Bar on multiple occasions and is known for its progressive Irish drinks programme, championing native spirits and bold flavours.
- Boatyard Distillery is an award-winning distillery based in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh. Its Boatyard Double Gin has become a bartender favourite globally, designed specifically with the perfect Martini in mind.
