Fun and entertainment Northern Ireland

It's hard to find a more Irish place than this famous pub in the city center. The walls are covered with musical instruments and always evoke the past of the city... We are still assured not to meet too many tourists and it is a typical place. A small space where we crowd happily, a Guinness in the hand. The Maddens is hidden in a quiet street and when you enter inside, you think you find all Belfast huddled here. Live traditional music sessions are scheduled every night and the quality is there.

A beautiful music hall facade dating from 1862, with its black cast iron and glass porch and saucy saloon tunes. The work of architect William J. Barre is a mythical place for the Irish, both musically and politically, and the symbol of a place of "resistance". Indeed, the "grande dame" of Belfast has seen the Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, U2... as well as Charles Dickens, Churchill and Carson, and even Sinn Féin, which in 2002 gathered 2,000 people to sing The Soldier Song, the Irish anthem.

The big room of this trendy pub, a stone's throw from the university, looks a bit like a saloon, with its green ceramics on the walls, its lanterns, its Skye armchairs, its chairs with bars and its worn wooden floor... The Parlour is an all-day student hangout. The food is good value, there's a floor with carpeting that feels "like home" and quiet corners for seclusion, conversation or work. It's also a good starting point for an evening pub crawl, with the Botanic Inn not far away..

It is one of the oldest pubs in town and time does not seem to have affected it. Nothing has changed inside: two tiny rooms, the first with a wooden counter and an inlaid copper sink behind which the owner sometimes sits with her knitting kit, the other with a fireplace and some small tables. The McDonnells have been running this place for two and a half centuries, from generation to generation. The place is known for its character and its concerts. A very particular atmosphere.

A bar and 20 alleys to play bowling.

16 billiards and 15 snooker tables, bar and giant screens.

Henry's is one of Belfast's most famous pubs, the first address that all Belfasters recommend for an authentic experience. Open since 1798, and named after Irish industrialist Henry Joy McCracken, it is located in one of Belfast's famous entries. It offers a wide range of cocktails, Guinness and a long list of whiskeys, including the most famous in the area, the Bushmills. Some evenings, bands will entertain your ears with traditional Irish music.

The Perch is Belfast's highest rooftop bar, located in the heart of the city on the^5th floor of a historic building. Tropical cocktails and sangria in summer, hot cider and a blanket in winter, to enjoy the bar and its view in all seasons. In summer, resident DJs liven up weekend evenings. Located not far from the Grand Opera House and Ulster Hall, it's a great place to stop off before or after a show. A trendy place to enjoy cocktails on the rooftop terrace, with the sun shining when it wants to.

Granny Annies Kitchen is a gourmet pub. It offers on-site and takeaway meals, but does not offer a delivery service. Granny Annies is also renowned for its live music, with traditional and modern bands performing throughout the weekend. The pub offers seasonal cuisine prepared from fresh local produce, as well as an extensive wine list, classic and signature cocktails, and a selection of locally distilled gins and draught beers. The pub's atmosphere is unique, relaxed and eccentric.

The Fountain Lane is a lively pub where visitors can enjoy a meal on the premises. The pub does not offer takeaway or delivery services. On weekends, be sure to book ahead, as the locals have made it their HQ! On the menu: American cuisine (burgers, onion rings...) generously cooked with fresh produce, but also seafood chowder, the famous Irish fish soup, tasty meat and fish accompanied by seasonal vegetables or home fries. Great portions served in a warm atmosphere.

Opening in March 2023 on the same site as the historic cinema of the same name (which was the first in Northern Ireland to screen talking pictures in 1929), this cinema has taken on the luxury niche. On site, you can of course watch films, but in an Art Deco atmosphere. Each of the nine rooms can accommodate 60 people for an intimate experience, in double seats or velvet armchairs. Each has its own table and footrest. The program includes the ultimate in cinema comfort, daring catering and a café.