Must-see entertainment in Northern Ireland

  • Black Box

    Belfast

    Black Box is an innovative arts venue, hosting a dynamic program of music, theatre, magic nights, spoken word events, comedy, film and more on Hill St in…

  • Belfast Empire

    Belfast

    A converted late-Victorian church (reputed to be haunted) with three floors of entertainment, the Empire is a legendary live-music venue. Look out for…

  • MAC

    Belfast

    The MAC is a beautifully designed venue overlooking the neoclassical St Anne's Sq development, with its two theatres hosting regular performances of drama…

  • Berts Jazz Bar

    Belfast

    This intimate venue has live jazz nightly from 9pm to midnight. Tables next to the stage are reserved for diners (mains £15 to £20, plus £10 per person…

  • Limelight

    Belfast

    This combined pub and club is one of the city's top venues for live rock and indie music. Past acts have included Oasis, Franz Ferdinand, the Manic Street…

  • Waterfront Hall was completed in 1997 and was designed by the architecture firm of Robinson McIlwaine.

    Waterfront Hall

    Belfast

    The impressive 2200-seat Waterfront is Belfast's flagship concert venue, hosting local, national and international performers from pop stars to symphony…

  • An Droichead

    Belfast

    This Irish cultural centre is a great place to hear live Irish folk music performed by big names from around the country, as well as up-and-coming local…

  • Sonic Arts Research Centre

    Belfast

    Queen's University's School of Music stages regular free lunchtime recitals and evening concerts in the beautiful, hammerbeam-roofed Harty Room and at the…

  • SSE Arena

    Belfast

    Within the Odyssey Complex, this is the venue for big entertainment events such as rock and pop concerts and stage shows. It's also the home stadium of…

  • Crescent Arts Centre

    Belfast

    The Crescent hosts a range of concerts, plays, workshops, readings and dance classes. It's also the headquarters of the Belfast Book Festival and the…

  • Belfast Giants

    Belfast

    The Belfast Giants ice-hockey team draws big crowds to the SSE Arena; the season is September to April. The arena also hosts indoor sporting events…

  • Playhouse

    Derry (Londonderry)

    Housed in beautifully restored former school buildings with an award-winning modern extension at the rear, this community arts centre stages music, dance…

  • Lyric Theatre

    Belfast

    This stunning modern space overlooking the River Lagan is Northern Ireland's only full-time producing theatre (it produces its own plays rather than…

  • Ulster Hall

    Belfast

    Dating from 1862, Ulster Hall is a popular venue for a range of events including rock concerts, lunchtime organ recitals and performances by the Ulster…

  • Nerve Centre

    Derry (Londonderry)

    Set up in 1990 to encourage young, local talent in the fields of music and film, the Nerve Centre has a performance area, with live music at weekends, a…

  • Windsor Park

    Belfast

    Northern Ireland plays its home games at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park, 2km south of Belfast city centre; see the Irish FA website for…

  • Gweedore Bar

    Derry (Londonderry)

    Adjoining Peadar O'Donnell's, the Gweedore Bar hosts live rock bands every night, while the DJ bar upstairs is home to a regular Saturday-night disco.

  • Queen's Film Theatre

    Belfast

    A major venue for the Belfast Film Festival, this two-screen art-house cinema is close to Queen's University.

  • Millennium Forum

    Derry (Londonderry)

    With a capacity of 1000 and Ireland's largest theatre stage, this auditorium is a major venue for dance, drama, concerts, opera and musicals.

  • Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin

    Derry (Londonderry)

    This cultural centre devoted to the Irish language stages performances of traditional Irish music, poetry and dance.

  • Casement Park

    Belfast

    Located in West Belfast; you can see Gaelic football and hurling here.

  • Kingspan Stadium

    Belfast

    This 18,000-capacity stadium is the home of Ulster Rugby.

  • Harty Room

    Belfast

    The beautiful, hammerbeam-roofed Harty Room is sometimes used for free lunchtime recitals staged by Queen's University's School of Music.

  • Waterside Theatre

    Derry (Londonderry)

    Housed in a former factory 500m east of the River Foyle, Waterside stages drama, dance, comedy, children's theatre and live music.

  • Odyssey Cinemas

    Belfast

    Belfast's biggest multiplex has 12 screens and stadium seats throughout.

  • Island Arts Centre

    County Antrim

    Hosts classes, workshops, exhibitions and theatre performances.

  • Movie House

    Belfast

    Convenient city-centre 10-screen multiplex.

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