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Nightlife
Whether you’re after a quiet pint in a traditional pub, giggles over girlie cocktails or a hedonistic night of hardcore dance, Belfast’s nightlife scene has the lot (Club entry prices can range from free to around £10 depending on day and time).The Cathedral Quarter, around City Hall, Golden Mile (Gt. Victoria St, Botanic Ave and Bradbury Place) and around Queen's University are the main social hubs. A few authentic traditional Irish bars can also be found in the Docks area and just west of the city centre To help you navigate your way around the city’s barstrewn streets, check out this chapter's handy sections.
OPENING HOURS
Licensing hours are Mon-Sat 11:30 - 23:00 and Sun 12:30 - 22:00. Bars and clubs with a late license can play music and serve food and drink until 01:00 - and stay open even later. Yello at Mynt and Event at the Kremlin are the city’s two main early hours club nights.
A 30min drinking up time applies to all the above - but only at the manager’s discretion. So listen up, drink sensibly and - if you’re not based within walking distance - try and have your lift there and back organised in advance. Finding a taxi at closing time can be the led lining on an otherwise good night out.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
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Café Vaudeville
A riot of ritzy glamour and rich hues, the only things missing from this downtown watering hole are a girl on a swing and a bird in a gilded cage... but
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Northern Whig
Once the offices of an old Belfast newspaper, this 19th century listed building was reborn in 1997 as a big, bold bar/nightclub. Avoiding the obvious newspaper
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Rockies
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Crown Liquor Saloon
Owned by the National Trust and without question Belfast's most famous bar, this city centre landmark is the first place tourists head for their inaugural
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Judes
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Duke of York
Hidden down a cobbled Cathedral Quarter alley off Donegall St. this fantastic pub pays homage to Belfast's industrial past and centuries-old newspaper
Read on
Latest Comments
I went to the masked ball on New Year's Eve and enjoyed some excellent live entertainment. Following the bands came the DJ with groovy, funky tunes, though deteriorated towards the end of the night! Great crowd, great vibe, a fabulous night in all[...]
Anyone visiting Belfast and tempted by Mynt, AVOID AVOID AVOID. I never even got over the door. Was staying in Belfast for a few days for work, deliberatly booking the hotel at the other end of the street and thought I'd check out this place. Looked[...]
i love mynt and yello im a girl whos straight and have met straight fellas there, i go most weekends and love the whole atmosphere, i would recommend it to anyone[...]
I think things must have changed as any night I have been there recently the security folk are fine. They do look fairly serious but then I suppose they can't get too friendly with the punters or it would be hard to eject them if they were causing p[...]
I don't know If I said it already but ...I'm so glad I found this site...Keep up the good work I read a lot of blogs on a daily basis and for the most part, people lack substance but, I just wanted to make a quick comment to say GREAT blog. Thanks,[...]
I have to agree, the service in this place is shocking. I had been shopping in town and as I hadn't popped into the bar during the day in ages, I thought I'd swing by and have a pint. When I walked into Dubarrys, I was the only person there. No prob[...]
I've never been to Dubarrys coz I've heard its full of creeps but no harm Tom.....noone could be ruder than Dubliners and our gay scene is still better and friendlier than yours next time go to Kremlin Mynt or one of the gay friendly bars like Murie[...]
I was with my family walking down Commercial Court on Sunday afternoon the 13th of September. My wife sat down on one of the red seats and I walked into the bar with my 4 year old son. I was told very rudely by a person collecting glasses that no ch[...]
Dubarrys is the most horible gay bar I have ever visited. Very bad music, very bad service, disgusting toilets and unbelievably rude security guys acting like typical farmers with very low education. Wouldn't recommend this place at all and personal[...]
The empire gets some really good bands, but lets far too many people in. You can not get near the bar on a busy night (no matter how persistant you are). Be prepared to stand. Music dosen't kick off to 10.30 most nights[...]
Had a great noight there last Friday, the two guys working were very nice, hope to return again soon[...]
Great, bar, food and service. Love it![...]
What age is Young?[...]
Give Maddens a call - I'm sure they'll be more than happy to answer your unusual query! Ed.[...]
Would love some info on this bar. I know this is a weird question but does anyone know if they sell shirts with Madden's bar on them. Visiting belfast this summer and with the last name Madden this bar caught our attention. Any info would be welcom[...]