Ireland (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Fionn Davenport [526]
Gay & Lesbian Venues
Belfast’s gay scene is concentrated in the Cathedral Quarter. For information on what’s happening, check out www.gaybelfast.net.
Kremlin (Map; 9031 6060; www.kremlin-belfast.com; 96 Donegall St; 10pm-2.30am Mon, 9pm-2.30am Tue, 9pm-3am Thu-Sun) Gay-owned and operated, the Soviet-kitsch-themed Kremlin is the heart and soul of Northern Ireland’s gay scene. A statue of Lenin guides you into Tsar, the pre-club bar, from where the Long Bar leads into the main clubbing zone, Red Square. There’s something going on seven nights a week – Revolution (admission £5) on Saturdays is the flagship event, with DJs mixing up dance, house, pop and commercial till 3am.
Dubarrys Bar (Map; 9032 3590; www.dubarrysbar.co.uk; 10-14 Gresham St) One of Belfast’s newest gay venues, Dubarrys is aimed at a slightly older, more sophisticated crowd who are looking for designer decor, cool tunes and conversation, rather than flashing lights and banging dance music.
Mynt (Map; 9023 4520; www.myntbelfast.com; 2-16 Dunbar St) A complex with a vast, luxurious lounge bar and two club spaces, Mynt provides entertainment throughout the week, culminating in hilarious Friday-night game shows hosted by Belfast’s favourite drag queen, Baroness Titti von Tramp. Kitty Killer (admission £5; first Friday of the month) is a ladies-only lesbian club night.
Union Street (Map; 9031 6060; www.unionstreetpub.com; 8-14 Union St) A stylish modern bar with retro styling and lots of bare brick and dark wood – check out the Belfast sinks in the loo – Union Street pulls in a mixed gay and straight crowd, attracted by the laid-back atmosphere and good food.
Other gay-friendly pubs include the Nest (Map; 9032 5491; 22-28 Skipper St), the John Hewitt and the Spaniard.
Live Music & Comedy
Big-name bands and performers play to sell-out crowds at the Ulster Hall, Waterfront Hall, Odyssey Arena or King’s Hall.
MAJOR VENUES
Waterfront Hall (Map; 9033 4455; www.waterfront.co.uk; 2 Lanyon Pl) The impressive 2235-seat Waterfront is Belfast’s flagship concert venue, hosting local, national and international performers from pop stars to symphony orchestras.
Ulster Hall (Map; 9033 4455; www.ulsterhall.co.uk; Bedford St) Ulster Hall (built in 1862) is a popular venue for a range of events including rock concerts, lunchtime organ recitals, boxing bouts and performances by the Ulster Orchestra (www.ulster-orchestra.org.uk).
Odyssey Arena (Map; 9073 9074; www.odysseyarena.com; 2 Queen’s Quay) The home stadium for the Belfast Giants ice-hockey team is also the venue for big entertainment events such as rock and pop concerts, stage shows and indoor sports.
King’s Hall (Map; 9066 5225; www.kingshall.co.uk; Lisburn Rd) Northern Ireland’s biggest exhibition and conference centre hosts a range of music shows, trade fairs and sporting events. It’s accessible by any bus along Lisburn Rd or by train to Balmoral Station.
ROCK
Belfast Empire (Map; 9024 9276; www.thebelfastempire.com; 42 Botanic Ave; admission live bands £5-20) A converted late-Victorian church with three floors of entertainment, the Empire is a legendary live-music venue. The regular Thursday night Gifted session showcases the best of new talent, both local and UK-wide, while Saturday is either big-name bands or tribute bands. There’s stand-up comedy every Tuesday at 8pm (admission £7).
Limelight (Map; 9032 5942; www.the-limelight.co.uk; 17-19 Ormeau Ave) This combined pub and club, along with next-door venue the Spring and Airbrake (under the same management), is one of the city’s top venues for live rock and indie music, having hosted bands from Oasis to Franz Ferdinand, the Manic Street Preachers and the Kaiser Chiefs. It’s also home to alternative club night Helter Skelter (admission £5, from 10pm every Saturday) and Belfast’s biggest student night, Shag (admission £3, from