Best entertainment venues in Belfast

Located on Botanic Avenue at the heart of Belfast’s bustling student quarter is the historic Empire Music Hall. With three floors, this venue is home to various bars open for indoor and outdoor dining and drinking seven days a week. The Empire Music Hall always has a packed schedule of fun and exciting events lined up, from concerts to comedy gigs and more. So, make sure to check the calendar of events before you visit so you don’t miss out.

For an unforgettable night out, we recommend a visit to the Cabaret Supper Club at AMPM. This unique entertainment venue is the longest-running and best-loved Supper Club in the city, enamouring visitors with its 1920s Jazz Age-style allure. Delicious food and drinks accompany fantastic performances, from live jazz shows to burlesque, comedy shows to magic shows, and much more. With three venues under one roof, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

At the heart of Belfast’s LGBTQ+ scene is the brilliant Union Street Bar and Restaurant. Located in a 19th century shoe factory, this modern and stylish bar brings a modern twist to one of Belfast’s fascinating historic buildings. Serving delicious gastro pub grub, inventive cocktails, and hosting a wide variety of live events and theme nights, you are sure to be entertained during a visit here. Complete with quirky décor and finishings, Union Street Bar and Restaurant is truly one of a kind.

For a classy night in the city, a trip to Bert’s Jazz Bar is a must. Fashioned after the stylish jazz bars of 1930s New York, Bert’s is part of the affluent Merchant Hotel group that takes up much of Belfast’s vibrant Cathedral Quarter. Perfect for a more laidback experience, you can sit back in the plush seats of this sophisticated venue to enjoy perfectly crafted cocktails, delicious French bistro-style food, and live jazz music seven nights a week. This upscale venue is the perfect place for special occasions or if you just fancy a decadent night in the city.

To get a feel for authentic Irish culture, you need to add a visit to McHugh’s Bar and Restaurant to your Belfast bucket list. This Georgian pub dates back to 1711, making it one of the oldest venues in the city. Today, this four-storey bar and restaurant not only serves great food and drinks, but it is also home to lively trad music sessions every Saturday and Sunday. With warm Irish hospitality, a wide and varied menu, and plenty of traditional Irish entertainment, McHugh’s is certainly a home of great craic.

Limelight is a popular nightclub and live music venue in Belfast City Centre that has been a firm favourite among locals since opening in the 1980s. Split into three separate rooms, Limelight 1, Limelight 2 or ‘The Rock Room’, and Katy’s Bar, as well as the Rock Garden roof terrace, this spot caters for a wide range of different tastes and audiences. With club nights proving popular among students and live shows from local and international artists taking place frequently, it is no surprise that Limelight is one of the most beloved entertainment venues the city has to offer.

One of the most recent additions to Belfast’s dining and entertainment scene is The Last Drop on the Antrim Road. Serving delicious food and a wide range of drinks, The Last Drop Beer and Wine Lounge Bar has quickly become one of the city’s premier places to be. Paying homage to the city’s fascinating history, this bar combines the traditional and modern to create something truly magical. With trad sessions and local musicians regularly performing, you are sure to enjoy a great night out at this fantastic venue.