Best Nightlife in Belfast

"Located in the culturally rich Cathedral Quarter, and a former home to Ulster Bank headquarters, this ornate five star hotel creates an instantly warm and welcoming ambience thanks to its wide stone steps. Built from Giffnock sandstone, the exterior reflects a classic Italian style, with Corinthian columns and mighty sculptures looking over the front façade. The sumptuous interiors of cherub statues and floral designs under the central dome in the main entrance hall, creates a calm atmosphere that embodies pure comfort and luxury."

"Belfast’s most luxurious hotel in the grand 1860 Italianate former Ulster Bank HQ remains a stylish way to run up an overdraft. It's a superb location to experience the Cathedral Quarter nightlife, as well as an excellent spa and fantastic food."

"Deservedly the most famous bar in Belfast, the saloon's listed ornate interior was created by Italian craftsmen in Belfast’s Victorian heyday and has featured in movies as disparate as Odd Man Out in 1947 and Divorcing Jack in 1998. There can be few greater pleasures in the city than settling into one of the ancient snugs, complete with bells to summon the staff and gunmetal match-striking plates, and tucking into Irish stew, colcannon or Strangford oysters, washed down by a creamy pint or two of Guinness. A welcome recent addition is a large and growing selection of real ales."

"There are many historic pubs and bars dotted around Belfast, but it would be fair to say that with its yellow, gold and pink frontage, the Crown Liquor Saloon is the most striking. It is also one of the oldest, having been built in the 1880s, and the interior features preserved wood-carved booths and gas-lamp lighting. View this post on Instagram"

"Undeniably the most famous pub in Belfast, the Crown Liquor Saloon is the perfect place to grab a drink and take in the historical interiors of his alcoholic gem. Although renowned for serving an eclectic range of real ales, the real draw of this pub on Great Victoria Street is it?. s Victoriana interiors."

"The Dirty Onion is one of Belfast’s many institutions in the Cathedral Quarter: a pub on two levels, hosting Yardbird upstairs, a restaurant where you will be served with locally sourced and free-range chicken and ribs. Downstairs during beautiful days and evenings, you can sit outside for a drink."

"Combining a pub and rotisserie restaurant into one unique bar in Belfast, The Dirty Onion and Yardbird is one cool place for a night out. Swing by and catch entertainment every night of the week, washed down with a hefty choice of beer and whiskey alongside delicious chicken dinners."

"Not only is The Dirty Onion and Yardbird boasting to live music, delicious rotisserie chicken and a great list of craft beers, but the city centre spot also has a heated beer garden for alfresco drinks all year round. During winter, you can even keep cosy by the open fire inside."

"Down a narrow alleyway, the Morning Star dates from at least 1810, when it was mentioned in the Belfast Newsletter as being one of the terminals for the Belfast to Dublin mail coach, and the traditional bar downstairs still boasts the original mahogany counter and terrazzo floor. Upstairs in the restaurant, you can thank Aussie owner Corrine McAlister for what must be the most eclectic pub menu in Ireland, with kangaroo, crocodile steaks, emu, ostrich and bison occasionally on offer. The Irish Restaurant Awards named it Northern Ireland gastro pub of the year in 2017."

"This award-winning, traditional Irish pub is known for its quality food menu and huge selection of draughts. You’ll find rotating craft beers like Hallion IPA and Maggie’s Leap on tap, with bottles including beers from Hilltown Brewery as well as local craft ciders too."

"Morning Star pub is offering the perfect takeaway box for Valentine’s Day dinner – with two 10oz steaks, two seasonal sides, two desserts and a bottle of wine all for just £30. Order from their website for collection between 12 and 14 February."

"For special occasions; this simple, elegant bar and grill has dedicated graduation and pre-theatre menus. This is not one for vegetarians, this place serves fresh game, mouth-watering steaks, and fish, with a focus on classic cooking, in a contemporary dining room. Its range of steaks is the real draw, but save room for one of the dessert cocktails – a lemon meringue martini is sure to go down a treat."

"For a little Belfast class, visit Malmaison Hotel, which has a mix of contemporary style with Titanic-inspired interiors in each room to give visitors a taste of Belfast’s prided history. The hotel’s location on Victoria Street is the perfect distance from the City Centre and Cathedral Quarter – the home of cuisine, culture and nightlife every day. The Malbar, Malmaison’s very own cocktail bar, has so many quirky drinks to offer in another wonderful interior – think classic luxury mixed with funk."

"Located in the Cathedral Quarter, this hotel is close to St Anne’s Cathedral, great shops and lively bars. Rooms have stylish décor, en-suite bathrooms, and coffee/tea supplies. They also offer 24-hour room service, free wifi, and babysitting services."

"Converted from an 1867 seed warehouse in 1998, this boutique hotel has stayed both funky and popular since then, close to the city's major attractions, with friendly staff and a buzzing bar."

"It’s not secret that falafel is not only tasty, but can be turned into so many different dishes. The Greek ingredient is used predomi­nantly at Umi Falafel which is a long-term vegan café in Belfast. At Umi Falafel you’ll find a variety of falafel-based dishes from wraps to salads and classic Lebanese dishes too."

"With their cheap, scrumptious, hand-made Lebanese falafel, Umi have become a massively popular food outlet throughout Ireland, with restaurants in Dublin and Cork, as well as Belfast. If you're looking for an alternative to fast food - this is the one to try. What vegan food should I try?"

"After beginning life as a pop-up restaurant that took the city's food scene by storm, Home moved into permanent premises where it continues to win fans for its creative use of seasonal ingredients."

"A firm favourite of many who hunt the student area around Queen’s University, Maggie Mays has two cafes, one by Stranmillis and one in Botanic. The cute little cafe offers a large menu with staple home-cooked favourites that any Belfast mum would have served up for her kids – Cowboy Suppers (sausage, beans and chip), beef stew, fry-ups, and so forth. The menu has an extensive all-day breakfast option, burgers and mains, and not to forget amazing desserts and legendary milkshakes."

"With three different cafes throughout Belfast, Maggie Mays’ Stranmillis cafe stands superior among them and is truly Belfast’s best cafe. Maggie Mays is well-known throughout the city for its magic milkshakes, from the conventional strawberry or chocolate to the “super speak shakes” such as the “Nutty for Chocolate” or “Banoffee Blitz.”. Lovers of an Ulster fry are treated to the all-day breakfast menu, while Maggie Mays is home to some of the best hot food in Belfast."

"The Crescent Arts Centre is a vibrant community arts centre and cultural hub in the heart of south Belfast, which provides opportunities for people to meet,…"