Belfast’s most iconic live music venues

Which spot is your favourite? 🎶

Published 9th Jul 2021

By Josh Henry

With the sound of live music surrounding the city since its return, music venues are readying their doors for regular punters and newcomers!

Belfast has a lot more gig venues than you’d think, we did a list of some of the best!

Ulster Hall

Situated on Bedford Street, this iconic music venue has been delivering gigs and events since 1862. It is also where rock legends Led Zeppelin debuted perhaps the most famous song of all time, Stairway to Heaven.

Waterfront Hall

Opening its doors in 1997, it hosted historic gigs including U2's first show in in Belfast for 18 years, a free show for the youth called Yes. More recently, it has played host to big names such as One Direction and Neil Diamond.

Empire Music Hall

The venue tucked into the side of Botanic Avenue, opened in 1987. It is known for its weekly comedy nights and has welcomed big names in music such as local rockers Ash and REM's Peter Buck.

The King’s Hall

Built in 1933 and opened by the Duke of Gloucester in 1934, this was the go to venue for the big music acts back in the day with The Beatles and Bob Dylan playing here in the past. The main hall also hosted big boxing events with titans like Tyson Fury and Amir Khan featuring on bills there.

The SSE Arena

The biggest venue on our list with a capacity of 11,000, the arena opened in 2000 and became the entertainment hotspot in Belfast with a cinema, W5 and restaurants. Pop superstars like Beyonce, Rihanna and Little Mix have brought their tour shows to the venue. Fitted too with an Ice rink for our Ice hockey legends Belfast Giants.

Grand Opera House, Belfast

We've all probably seen panto queen May McFettridge do her thing in the opera house! The theatre has been hosting west end musicals, concerts, dance shows, and ballet since 1895. Having its fair share of big names too, none other than opera legend Pavarotti graced the stage in 1963.

Limelight

Are you a Limelight one or Limelight two sort of person? Either way, you've probably a few hazy memories of a night out here. The nightclub split into four, two dance floors (Limelight one and Limelight two), Katy's bar and The Rock Garden, a terrace on the top of the building. It has been a key fixture in Belfast's clubbing scene since the 80's. It also doubles as a gig spot and has hosted big bands like Oasis in the past.

Mandela Hall

A cult favourite, this 1,000-capacity gig hall sadly closed its doors in 2018. Part of Queens University, it was adored among students as somewhere to let their hair down and catch their favourite band. Over the years, it welcomed DJ Calvin Harris, as well as indie darlings, Radiohead.

Voodoo

Though only open in 2011, Voodoo is already a household name known for hosting a mix of alternative music, both locally, and acts from abroad. It also doubles as a restaurant, known for its deep south inspired grub.

Oh Yeah Music Centre

While being primarily a music charity, it has doubled as a space for gigs with local acts like former NI Music Prize winner Kit Phillipa. It was opened by accomplished journalist Stuart Baillie and Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody in 2007.

Black Box

This intimate venue in the Cathedral Quarter is the oldest on the list, the building was originally constructed in 1850 and became an arts venue in 2006 putting on various comedy nights. As well as having legendary musicians play sets including folk legend Andy Irvine.

Boucher Playing Fields

Mammoth crowds are a regular occurrence at this outdoor gig which has a capacity up to 80,000. It's had rock giants Foo Fighters causing a ruckus, as well as thousands swooning to Ed Sheeran who brought his Divide show there in 2018.

Ward Park

The 37-acre park in Bangor has operated as an open-air concert space in recent years, hosting numerous Tennants Vital events with international acts like rapper Eminem who played to thousands of 'stans' in 2011. Bangor-natives Snow Patrol though lay claim to the land by attracting thousands by returning for their 'Ward Park '19' show where U2's Bono even made an appearance.

Custom House Square

This outdoor concert experience is in the Cathedral Quarter area of Belfast and has had the best DJ's like Above and Beyond, pop stars like George Ezra, and is set to welcome legends like Tom Jones and Nile Rodgers this summer.

Ormeau Park

I'm sure you've been spotted singing your heart out here! Host to the wildly popular Belsonic concert series known for its summer gigs featuring acts like brit-pop legend Noel Gallagher, Grime star Stormzy, and rock icons The Killers. Steeped in history too as its Northern Ireland's oldest municipal park and was open to the public in 1871.

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