Belfast's LGBT nightlife hub centres around the Smithfield & Union area of north city centre,on the fringes of the Cathedral Quarter. The annual Belfast Pride Festival - the largest of its kind on the island of Ireland - attracts thousands of revellers each summer.
In 2005 under the new Civil Partnership Act, the city was the first in the UK to hold a same-sex civil partnership ceremony. Though, unlike the rest of the UK, same-sex marriage is still not recognised in N.Ireland.
The Kremlin, Union Street and Maverick are Belfast's three Gay nightlife venues. For more details on what’s on each night at these, and other gay-friendly bars and clubs, check out www.gaybelfast.net.