Ireland's largest rooftop bar and garden has opened - offering panoramic city views and posh cocktails

20 October 17, Mandatory Credit ©Press Eye/Darren Kidd

THE LARGEST rooftop bar and garden in Ireland has opened in the centre of Belfast - offering plush interiors, panoramic views and a selection of posh cocktails.

Babel is part of a £1.75million expansion of the stylish city centre hotel Bullitt, which opened last year, and the latest addition to the city's buzzing social scene.

The Ann Street venue opened with a grand launch party over the weekend, where VIP guests enjoyed a first look at the contemporary new space - which includes a plush indoor bar, open-air terrace with panoramic views of the city and a retractable roof and a cosy corner VIP room.

The venue boasts a plush indoor bar and open-air terrace with retractable roof (Pic:Press Eye/Darren Kidd)

The designers took inspiration from the 1950s and 60s when creating the rooftop bar - which is the largest in Ireland.

"Inspired by the eclectic design of the Mad Men era, plush velvet and leather interiors are found in a deep green, ocean blue and bubble gum pink colour scheme, combined with modern touches, including glass balustrades, bespoke lighting, marble and brass detailing," a spokesperson for Beannchor, who own the venue, said.

They added: "Accessed via a dedicated new entrance on Ann Street, the stylish space is a laid back, urban oasis with lush foliage, an interior living wall made up of 300 fresh plants and herbs and a vertical exterior garden wall that can be seen from ground level."

Designers were inspired by the Mad Men era of the 1950s and 60s (Pic: Press Eye/Darren Kidd)

Set to become a weekend favourite, the unique bar's drinks menu features an eclectic range of 'Shrub Cocktails' - using a fresh supply of herbs from the venue's living wall as ingredients and garnishes for the drinks.

Food on offer, in the form of small plates, is inspired by South and East Asian cuisine.

The extensive expansion of the hotel, which has created 30 new jobs for the local area, will also see a further 31 new bedrooms added to the property later this year.

Commenting on the opening, Conall Wolsey, director of Beannchor, said: "Bulitt marks its first anniversary with the opening of Babel, our stylish new rooftop bar and garden. The venue is a perfect hangout space, with a relaxed, sophisticated atmosphere and stunning views across the city in every direction."