Going out guide: Belfast
Here are the city's best club nights, rappers, DJs, pubs and morning after breakfast spots, all recommended by a local.
Music
Words: Brian Coney
Best club night
God’s Waiting Room is a pure-cut Belfast institution. Run by veteran DJ David Holmes, this lysergic, genre-flipping happening draws in a cross-generational crowd, and it’s often held in secret locations.
Local DJs to look out for on flyers
You’ll never have a bad night within earshot of Holly Lester (Duality Trax), Reger, DJ Kaidi Tatham, Timmy Stewart (Black Bones/The Night Institute) or Marion Hawkes (Sound Advice Records/Ponyhawke).
Local rapper who could blow up
Jordan Adetunji has already proved that Belfast’s rap game can be world-beating, with his gooey viral hit Kehlani currently sitting on two and a half million Spotify streams. It’s also worth also keeping an eye on YINYANG (aka Lauren Hannan), who’s flipping the script with her hard-hitting, genre-defying style.
Legendary artists you need to have listened to
Van Morrison is certifiably no craic in person, but who’s denying that 1968 – 1972 run? Stiff Little Fingers’ fist-clenched refrain, “Grab it and change it, it’s yours” defined freedom amid chaos in 1979, and the veteran punks are still going strong. Elsewhere, alongside David Holmes, producer and techno legend Phil Kieran remains at the top of his game (his Leatherette night at the Ulster Sports Club is right up there).
Best boozer
The American Bar. Nestled in the heart of Sailortown in the city centre, dates back to the 1860s and remains a Belfast gem.
Bar that serves past midnight
For a couple of cocktails to round off your night, Rattlebag nails it. It’s dark and intimate.
Hyperlocal fashion trend
No, balaclavas aren’t making a comeback, so it’s all about Dr. Martens. Camden High St. wouldn’t have a look-in some days.
LGBTQ institution
Since 2015, Ponyhawke has been a game-changer for Belfast’s LGBTQIA+ scene. Founded by DJs Pony M and Marion Hawkes (also owner of essential East Belfast record shop Sound Advice) it has evolved into a mainstay at Ulster Sports Club, offering a blessed soundtrack and a proper celebration of diverse nightlife.
Beloved takeaway
If you’re holding together, Kamakura Sushi and Ramen is a solid choice. But the real heads bow down before The Hungry Hound 2 – the undisputed king of Belfast chippies. Curiously enough, no one’s ever tracked down the original Hungry Hound, which only adds to the allure.
Cafe for the morning after
It’s wild to consider how many reality-shattering hangovers General Merchants on Ormeau Road must have eased over the years. If it’s packed, which is possible, pop into Bread and Banjo a few doors down for a coffee and pastry, then head to Ormeau Park nearby to recover.
Local hero
Since landing in Belfast from NYC in ’92, Gwendolin Patterson has been a true force in the city’s music scene. By day, she’s a college librarian, but by night, she’s front and centre at gigs, lighting up DIY spaces and venues. Her mantra? Drop your guard, feel the sound and let the music take over.
What not to say to a local
“So, who started the Troubles?”
