There is more entertainment in Northern Ireland than you could shake a proverbial stick at. A night out in Northern Ireland is a night out to remember so why not try several? Whether it's classy cocktails or some pints with friends, a gig or a bop on a dancefloor every city, county, town and village has something to offer every night owl. Around here we get busy after dark so let’s go and have some craic.
Big it up in Belfast
Let’s kick it all off in the capital. Belfast comes alive at night and if you’re sipping cocktails from the fifth floor Perch or the boho Treehouse at AM:PM then you’re sure to see it starting to sparkle. After you’ve treated yourself with some early evening drinks why not get down into the Cathedral Quarter and check out some traditional Irish music in the funky Dirty Onion or some toe-tappin’ bluegrass in the rootsy Sunflower. This part of town is also home to some of the city’s finest restaurants like The Muddler’s Club and the buzz about the place is infectious.
If you’re chasing down some comedy then try the weekly stand-up night at The Pavilion Bar on Belfast’s Ormeau Road or get yourself a ticket for Wednesday night at Queen’s Comedy Club. Theatre buffs should watch for what’s on at The Lyric or The Mac while fans of cinema will love the quirky Queen’s Film Theatre near the University. Speaking of queens, don’t forget to grab a pint at The Crown Liquor Saloon in town before seeing a musical at The Grand Opera House or catching a glimpse of Northern Ireland’s next big thing at a gig at the Empire Music Hall. You can get the lowdown on the latest from the city's avant-garde at the Black Box and at the Boombox, you’ll find a quirky gay club that attracts huge audiences and pop culture headliners. For more of the same but on a grander scale, get yourself to Kremlin.
If that’s whet your appetite, dress up and fly along to The Foundry for their Thursdaze night. Club-goers with the most eccentric and edgy outfits get in free. Keep it all going at the Gypsy Lounge, a three-room clubbing space with its DJ booth in a gypsy caravan or get chatting to the well-heeled party-goers at Alibi and see what their story is - boom, boom.
Down and around
Enjoy sitting out in the garden at Daft Eddy’s on Sketrick Island in Strangford Lough before an evening meal at Mourne Seafood Bar in Dundrum. Alternatively, you could head over towards Craigavon for a Sunday settler in the lawned sanctuary of The Four Trees before dinner at the five-star Newforge House.
Through Toome to the Sperrins
There’s a world of folk and trad under the cosy thatched roofs of Seán Óg's in Omagh and The Crosskeys Inn in Toomebridge. From here you can travel to the roof of Ireland if you journey through the mists of the Sperrin Mountains to Ireland’s highest pub, The Ponderosa. Live music awaits those who make it to the summit and if you’re hungry they’ll give you a right good feed.
Four to the floor in Portrush
Closer to the sea, get your night in the resort town of Portrush off to a gentle start with a cocktail at the Ramore Wine Bar before hitting the tiles again at the bar and nightclub that is the legendary Lush.
Drinking and dancing in Derry-Londonderry
Speaking of legendary, let’s move on to Derry-Londonderry where you’ll find a glut of great places for trad and tasty beverages and of course a bit of a laugh. You can get some giggles at the comedy nights in Mason’s Bar or start your night off like a slow train at The Grand Central Bar on the lively Strand Road before taking it up a notch at the famous Peadar O’Donnell’s - a lively bar which hosts conventional and contemporary music each and every night. Fans of the stage should keep an eye out for what’s happening at The Waterside and there’s plenty on in The Playhouse too. The Coppins Bar in the City Hotel is the spot for those colourful cocktails and if you’re not quite ready for bed then the Sugar Nite Club in the city centre is a sweet place to begin your night anew.
It doesn’t really matter where you go in this part of the world. In Northern Ireland it only matters that you’re up for a bit of craic and a bit of banter. Come and join us for the fun, there’s a pint on the go for you.
Music lies at the heart of Northern Ireland and its people. We have, of course, our own traditional style but we have also taken in others, listened and given it back through the likes of world-beaters such as Van Morrison, Snow Patrol, The Undertones and Ash.
