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Belfast Music & Nightlife

Dive into the Best of Belfast’s Music and Nightlife Scene

Whether you’re looking for a high adrenaline gig, a cosy traditional pub, rooftop cocktails or to work the dancefloor into the wee hours, a night out in Belfast has it all in a wonderfully eclectic scene that is as fun and friendly as it is accessible.

A perfect place to start your night out in Belfast is the Cathedral Quarter, an upbeat cultural and nightlife zone around Saint Anne’s Cathedral which offers an ungodly selection of bars.

Experience Belfast’s Alternative Arts & Music at The Black Box

With a calendar bursting with daily alternative, fringe-style events, the Black Box reigns supreme as Belfast’s leading performance and arts venue. Visit this original landmark building and you’ll find yourself sampling the delights of a revolving schedule of live music, theatre, literature, comedy, film, visual art, circus and cabaret. For a cosier experience, opt for the venue’s Green Room, which offers a similar vibe in a more intimate setting. There’s a solid collection of craft and draught beers available and you can even enjoy a pizza before you dance it out to sounds of the resident DJs. The venue regularly plays host to tribute nights to Belfast’s own Van Morrison but whether you’re a Van fan or not, marvellous nights and Moondances await you.

Step into Belfast’s Music History at the Iconic Harp Bar

Just around the corner on Hill Street, you’ll find the Harp Bar with its plush red velvet decor and antique furnishings reminiscent of Victorian Belfast. This bar is steeped in history and within the confines of its walls and cabinets you can examine rare memorabilia inspired by the building’s origins as the headquarters of The Old Bushmills Distillery Company. The Harp Bar is a proper pub bursting with “Belfast Craic” and is home to regular live musical performances from homegrown talent across two floors. Both features aim to recreate the once famous atmosphere synonymous with the original 1970’s Harp Bar, celebrated as the home of punk rock music in Northern Ireland. If you’re a punk fan, I’d dare not give it a miss.

Traditional Irish Music & Big Beer Garden Vibes at The Dirty Onion

Also on Hill Street, is the quirkily titled The Dirty Onion. Situated in one of Belfast’s oldest buildings, The Dirty Onion is an authentic Irish pub with a hip, modern twist.

Live entertainment is provided seven nights a week and traditional Irish music fans will feel particularly at home in this spot as the bar's partnership with award winning cultural centre, An Droichead means sessions with top notch traditional Irish musicians are a nightly occurrence. The Onion is bursting with character as its distinctive wooden structure, beams and brick walls throughout nod to the building’s past and create a unique atmosphere. If you’re a fan of spending your nights chatting in a pub smoking area or are looking to hunt down a decent beer garden in the city, the Dirty Onion is home to one of Belfast’s biggest.

Soak Up Live Music in Style at The Empire Music Hall

Home to many bigger live music events, The Empire Music Hall on Botanic Avenue oozes old school charm. Having begun life as a Victorian era church the building is visually impressive, and the spectacular Music hall is acoustically sound. With its dark woods and rich red interiors, The Empire will have you feeling like you’ve stepped back in time. The Music Hall has attracted major artists from all over the world but is also open seven nights a week providing three floors of bars and music, including blues, rock, jazz and traditional Irish acts for you to enjoy. So, no matter what you’re into, there should be something here to keep you satisfied for the evening.

Party Your Way Through Belfast’s Iconic Limelight Venue

If you’re looking for some variety, it doesn’t get much better than the Limelight, over on Ormeau Avenue. From pop to rock and funk to house, The Limelight allows everyone to experience a night of lively entertainment.

This live music and night club venue complex offers four distinct experiences in one as you can find yourself wandering between Limelight 1, a commercial club venue, Limelight 2, an alternative live music/ club venue, Katy's bar, a traditional bar and The Rock Garden, a rooftop terrace. So music lovers can pick and choose to match their musical mood. The Limelight is a firm favourite particularly among a younger, student crowd and is conveniently located close to a number of the city’s hotels, perfect if you don’t feel like stumbling too far on your way home after a night on the tiles.

Explore Belfast’s Vibrant LGBTQ+ Nightlife in Smithfield & Union

The Smithfield and Union Quarter area, just off the Cathedral Quarter, is Belfast’s unofficial gay quarter, and its centrepiece or HQ is the soviet style Kremlin, Northern Ireland’s first ever gay-owned and managed venue. Soviet-style industrial extravagance permeates “communist chic” rooms in the Tsar Cocktail lounge, Red Square and the Long Bar. The life-size statue of Lenin above the entrance makes Kremlin hard to miss.

Just around the corner, Boombox offers a smaller alternative. This quirky gay club may be small, but its events attract huge audiences and pop culture headliners alike and is known for its dance music DJ's and incredible in-house drag performers.

Discover Belfast’s Premier Electronic & Dance Club

Belfast meets Berghain in the old Telegraph Building. A lesser known gem in the city, if you’re an electronic or dance music fan you will adore this shabby chic, industrial hub which has recently become home to one of the UK’s best known dance clubs Shine.

No matter what you’re looking for, a night out in Belfast will have plenty in store.

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Number of results: 45

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Waterfront Hall

Belfast

Address

2 Lanyon Place, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 3WH

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9033 4455

customerservicesbwuh@waterfront.co.uk

Type

Type:

Event Venue

Belfast Waterfront is an award-winning, purpose-built conference, arts and entertainment centre offering a variety of facilities. The venue offers a varied events programme, ranging from classical music, opera and ballet to comedy and rock music.

More Info
The Dirty Duck

Holywood

Address

Kinnegar Road, Holywood, County Down, BT189JN

Telephone
+44 (0)28 9059 6666

Type

Type:

Bar

The Dirty Duck situated looking over Belfast Lough, known for their delicious food and cold pints is a great spot to meet with friends and have great times while embracing the beautiful view.

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The National Grande Café

Belfast

Address

62 - 68 High Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 2BE

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9031 1130

info@thenationalbelfast.com

Type

Type:

Bar

From coffee and fresh pastries on the go, delicious soups and sandwiches for lunch and exquisite evening meals with wine or cocktails – there is something to satisfy every palate at any time of day. We also have one of Belfast's biggest beer gardens.

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The Cloth Ear

Belfast

Address

16 Skipper Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 2DZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9023 4888

clothear@themerchanthotel.com

Type

Type:

Bar

The Cloth Ear is The Merchant Hotel's comfortable public bar. The warm and welcoming interior provides the ideal environment to relax and enjoy yourself in style. Combining both modern and traditional design features with a healthy dose of eccentric!

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The Spaniard

Belfast

Address

The Spaniard Bar, 3 Skipper Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 2DZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9023 2448

spaniardbelfast@gmail.com

Type

Type:

Bar

Hidden within the Cathedral Quarter is this little gem of a bar. We pride ourselves in offering the most intimate atmosphere along with an outstanding selection of Rum. Join us and sip on our famous Dark n Stormy or Extraordinary! Not to be missed!

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Facilities

Catering
- Dogs Accepted Inside
The Belfast Empire

Belfast

Address

40 – 42 Botanic Avenue, Belfast, County Antrim, BT7 1JQ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9024 9276

info@thebelfastempire.com

Type

Type:

Bar

A converted church in the heart of Belfast, boasting the city's most diverse offering of entertainment. Regular gigs include the Comedy Club, Blues Club and Supper Club.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
510 reviews
Ben Madigan's Bar & Kitchen

Belfast

Address

169 - 175 Cavehill Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT15 5BP

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9692 2009

info@benmadigansbar.com

Type

Type:

Bar

Join us in Ben Madigans at the foot of Cavehill, belfast home of friendly atmosphere and award winning local food and drink, sure to make you want to stay a while at your new local.

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Dogs Accepted Inside
The Maypole Bar

Holywood

Address

High Street, Holywood, County Down, BT18 9AB

Telephone
+44 (0)28 9042 2588

Type

Type:

Bar

The Maypole Bar builds on its roots and keeps a tradition perfectly pairing alongside the rustic, classy and traditional interior. The Maypole Bar is a feel-good bar and you know fine rightly upon entrance you will be given a big greeting and made…

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
176 reviews
Sunflower Public House

Belfast

Address

65 Union Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 2JG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9023 2474

sunflowerbelfast@gmail.com

Type

Type:

Bar

Sunflower is a simple corner pub, it is free of gimmicks or themes, and it is one of the few remaining. It is instantly recognisable by the security cage on its front door, a relic from 1980s Belfast. Music is very much part of the pub's life.

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Dogs Accepted Inside
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
99 reviews
McBrides on the Square

Comber

Address

1-3 The Square, Comber, County Down, BT23 5DX

Telephone
028 91313969

irissmcbride@aol.com

Type

Type:

Bar

For over 35 years McBride’s have been providing quality traditional meals using fresh produce sourced from local suppliers, especially shellfish and seafood from Portavogie.

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NI Opera

Belfast

Address

Studio J, Carnegie Building, 121 Donegall Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT12 5JL

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9457 1317

info@niopera.com

Type

Type:

Live Music

Northern Ireland’s award-winning national opera company dedicated to the highest standards of opera performance and the promotion of young local talent.

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
560 reviews
Kelly's Cellars

Belfast

Address

30-32 Bank Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 1HL

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 90246058

Type

Type:

Bar

In the heart of Belfast's city centre, this pub has maintained the friendly atmosphere of over 250 years ago. With a long tradition of quality beer and fine food, Kelly's Cellars offers all customers a chance to enjoy the perfect pint of Guinness.

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
423 reviews
Bittles Bar

Belfast

Address

70 Upper Church Lane, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 4EL

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9031 1088

Johnbittles@googlemail.com

Type

Type:

Bar

Bittles Bar is one of Belfast's more curious pubs located close to the bustling Victoria Square. Red-bricked and 'flat-iron' in shape Bittles is a wonderful example of a traditional Victorian Bar. Founded in 1868.

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
158 reviews
The Dark Horse

Belfast

Address

34 Hill Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 2LB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9023 7807

darkhorse@dukeofyorkbelfast.com

Type

Type:

Restaurant

The Dark Horse is a European style coffee house nestled along a narrow cobbled alleyway in the historic Half Bap area of the Cathedral Quarter.
Available for private hire Thursday - Saturday.

More Info
The Botanic Inn

Belfast

Address

23-27 Malone Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT9 6RU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9050 9740

info@thebotanicinn.com

Type

Type:

Bar

Trading since 1867 The Botanic Inn, which is more affectionately known as ‘The Bot’, is a Belfast institution. One of the city's top destinations for anyone seeking great food, quality drinks, a lively night out & big screen sports.

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
70 reviews
Katy's Bar

Belfast

Address

17 Ormeau Avenue, Belfast, County Antrim, BT2 8HD

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9032 7007

office@limelightbelfast.com

Type

Type:

Bar

Katy's Bar is at the hub of Belfast's most exciting music venue. In 2012 along with the whole complex the always welcoming Katy's Bar enjoyed a simple, subtle refurb. This was followed by The Rock Garden, a brand new roof terrace.

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
318 reviews
Fountain Lane

Belfast

Address

16-20 Fountain Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 5ED

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9032 4769

hello@fountainlanebelfast.com

Type

Type:

Bar

With a wealth of history as a tavern for the city, call in for good food, great drinks, local music, live sport

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Dogs Accepted Inside
The Errigle Inn

Belfast

Address

Ormeau Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT7 2GE

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9064 1410

info@errigle.com

Type

Type:

Bar

The Errigle Inn, situated on the outskirts of Belfast city centre features five bars, roof gardens, a beer garden and live televised sporting games.
Known for its fabulous food and drink The Errigle Inn, provides a great location for any occasion,…

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
988 reviews
McHugh’s Bar & Restaurant

Belfast

Address

29-31 Queen’s Square, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 3FG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9050 9999

info@mchughsbar.com

Type

Type:

Bar

McHughs is within a grade A listed building, built between 1710 and 1720, making it officially the oldest building in the city of Belfast, enjoying a long history and a sometimes colourful reputation.

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
92 reviews
Pavilion Bar

Belfast

Address

The Pavilion Bar, 296 Ormeau Road, Belfast, County Down, BT7 2GB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9028 3283

info@pavilionbelfast.com

Type

Type:

Bar

Established in 1899, The Pavilion or "The Big House" draws its clientele from all over the city and beyond, and is a must for all who wish to experience a traditional Belfast pub with three floors, three bars, in one Big House with five-star food.

More Info