Last Updated on October 16, 2023

How to celebrate Belfast as a UNESCO City of Music:

Belfast is the third city in the UK to be named a UNESCO City of Music. Following Glasgow (in 2008) and Liverpool (in 2016), it has finally achieved this well-deserved accolade, but how does a tourist in Belfast get to grips with the city’s thriving music scene?

Given that much of the contemporary tourism Belfast gets is either centred around the tumultuous history of the Northern Ireland Troubles, or walking tours associated with HBO classic Game of Thrones, it’s not surprising that Belfast isn’t necessarily a city you would associate with great music. But that’s just the outsiders’ view. Having spoken to a handful of locals, music fanatics and borderline philistines alike, music holds a special place in their memories of this historic city.

What’s particularly great about Belfast is that there is something for everyone, whether you like classical, jazz or session music, the city is heaving with events to pop your head into. I’ve listed some of my favourite ways to engage in the Belfast music scene, with some choice of bars and hotels to choose from.

Session Music.

While there aren’t many pubs in Belfast where there isn’t some session music on offer, the best way to experience this lively and active scene is by meeting some session musicians on the Belfast Traditional Music Trail.

Starting at the beautiful The Second Fiddle pub on Waring Street, you’ll be taken on a guided tour of Belfast’s traditional music venues by session musicians, keen to play you some of their traditional folk tunes and talk about the history of session music in Northern Ireland. Buzz and Jason were exceptional hosts, who introduced us to both the Uilleann Pipes and the Concertina, giving us a glimpse into the enchanting world of session music.

Following some great tunes, we headed on to do a brisk walking tour of Belfast that highlighted some of the incredible musical history Northern Ireland has to offer, including the story of Edward Bunting, a harpist and the first transcriber and collector of Irish folk music.

The trail ended at McHugh’s Bar and Restaurant on Queen’s Square, with some lively Irish dancing and even some audience participation (hope you’re keen to brush up on your broom dances). The walking tour was a genuine highlight of my short stay in Belfast, and I would recommend it to anyone, especially if you only have a few hours to experience as much traditional music as you can. The weekly Saturday tour is the perfect introduction to the Belfast Irish folk music scene and a great addition to any city break.

Musical Theatre and Opera.

Going to the other side of the musical spectrum, from animated improvisation to the benchmark of rigorous rehearsal, we have Northern Ireland Opera, who must be wholeheartedly admired for their recent successes at both The Lyric Belfast and The Grand Opera House Belfast.

La Traviata at The Grand Opera House was a critically acclaimed success, starring Siobhan Stagg and Noah Stewart in the leading roles. The production was a testament to Cameron Menzies’s excellent eye for direction and NI Opera’s integral contribution to the music scene in Belfast. Sadly, the show only had a limited run but hopefully, it’ll return soon, so keep your eyes on the ball for tickets.

NI Opera also did a fantastic adaptation of Sondheim’s Into The Woods at The Lyric back in February. It was a charming production, filled with local flourishes without deviating from Sondheim’s original genius, a fitting tribute to a musical theatre legend.

Northern Ireland Opera’s current artistic director Cameron Menzies directed both of the shows above, and his productions are undeniably worth catching if you have a spare weekend in the offing. His shows are an utter delight to watch, being both soulful and witty in their design. If you’re an opera lover, he’s an essential director to cross off your bucket list.

Coming up NI Opera have an exciting collaboration with the Ulster Orchestra for a one-off performance on the 12^th May of Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at The Ulster Hall. It will be the perfect production to wave goodbye to the cold wintery months.

Jazz Bars.

Belfast and Jazz? Isn’t this one a little bit chalk and cheese? Well only in appearances, as Belfast has a surprisingly energetic Jazz scene.

The two venues I’m going to recommend are also basically polar opposites in their approaches. You’d be forgiven for totally missing Scott’s Jazz Club Belfast in Ballyhackamore. Started by four mates keen to set up a regular jazz venue for East Belfast, the venue lives on top of the Working Mens Club on Sandown Road. It now boasts to be one of the best Jazz Spots in Northern Ireland, with a steady stream of world-class performers invited by Scott Flanigan himself. The regulars know what they’re getting here, but for just £15 on the door, it could be your opportunity to experience this beautifully off-beat Jazz attic for yourself.

On the flip side, Bert’s Jazz Bar couldn’t be further away from Scott’s if it tried. Deliberately swanky and bathed in red leather, this is the hotel bar to defeat all others. Attached to The Merchant, Bert’s offers French Bistro-style dining and beautiful cocktails alongside live jazz every day of the week. The place is awash with crimson reds and polished golds, making you feel like you’re in a 1920s bar, and it is quite frankly a delight to sit and sip a cocktail while soaking up the ambience.

The Pubs.

There are few better things in life than a pub that has enough of a stage to offer phenomenal live music. Though it would be impossible to give every live music bar in Belfast its fair share of attention, below are two of my favourites.

The Belfast Empire is famous in Belfast for its impeccable music hall atmosphere and generally raucous energy. Split into two venues, the hall upstairs and the bar downstairs, The Empire offers the widest range of cover bands, solo acts and comedy gigs imaginable. It’s the perfect place for a late-night dance, or even a daytime pint to take in its contemporary music hall energy.

If you happen to be visiting Belfast mid-week instead of at the weekend, one of my favourite trendy spots to visit is The Reporter on Union Street. This cosy bar does live music every Wednesday (for an eclectic mix of styles) and Thursday (for those of us who love their session music), to soothe your midweek live music fix. It’s perfect for a cute date night, or to get a few friends together for a late-night music bash.

 The Big Leagues.

Where would a piece on Belfast’s music scene be without mentioning the big venues? Ulster Hall is a venue that needs no introduction. Known for hosting world-renowned artists, like The Rolling Stones and Muse, the venue is best known for hosting the first live performance of Led Zeppelins’ iconic Stairway to Heaven. Waterfront Hall is basically Ulster Hall’s sister venue, situated (unsurprisingly) adjacent to the River Lagan. Between the two of them, they host an array of events from musical theatre to rock concerts and are often home to performances from the Ulster Orchestra.

If you’re in Belfast for the day, a visit to The MAC should certainly be on the cards. Though I’m cheating a little, as it is more of an artistic than a musical venue, The MAC has been home to some incredible visual art and the odd musical performance. Just a visit to the building, to take in Belfast-born Hackett Hall McKnight’s phenomenal design, is absolutely worth it – their café menu is delicious too.

All three of the above venues are famous for hosting the annual Belfast International Arts Festival, which celebrates the city’s vibrant array of artistic culture. The 2022 programme looks incredibly exciting, with events running up until the 5^th of November.

…and for food?

What if I only have a day in Belfast but want to cover a whole host of venues in one? Well fear not, as the Taste and Tour Five Stop Brunch covers a range of venues in Belfast. Though there is no live music on the tour, it’s a great way to experience some of the venues listed above, and work out whether they’re worth a second stop. Alongside this, you’ll get five courses from some of the best brunch venues in Belfast – I won’t spoil it by telling you where you’ll be heading, but I guarantee it’ll be worth it.

The Taste and Tour Five Stop Brunch runs every Sunday from 11 am till 2 pm and is guaranteed to set you up for the perfect Sunday nap, after delicious cocktails, insanely good cuisine, and some brisk Belfast touring. 

Where to Stay.

 No musical experience can be complete without a quick foray into the best places to stay and the best cocktail bars. As it happens, two of Belfast’s best hotels have beds that are beyond comfy and cocktails to die for.

For those of us who like being at the centre of the action, The Grand Central Hotel is a no-brainer as a place to stay. The hotel has an easy elegance, with extremely helpful and friendly staff, and the rooms are spacious and airy. Its cocktail bar, The Observatory, is also a must-visit. Perched on the top floor of the hotel, it has stunning views across Belfast, with all its cocktails being named after famous Belfast landmarks – I would particularly recommend trying their White Star, which is a delicious chocolatey twist on an Old Fashioned. Situated in the Linen Quarter, The Grand Central Hotel is just a short walk from Belfast City Hall, with easy transport links right across the city.

If you prefer your hotel a bit more out of the way, The Titanic Hotel Belfast is definitely worth a stay. Built out of the Harland and Wolff headquarters, where the White Star Line fleet including The Titanic and The Olympic were designed, the building possesses an effortless late 18th-century charm. The Titanic Hotel’s stunning bar is perfect for a midday cocktail when the old drawing rooms flood with light. It’s the perfect place to reflect on the history of culture Belfast has, and all it has to look forward to.

 Looking for more about Belfast?  Check out our essential guide to visiting Belfast – and for an alternative place to stay, our review of The Harrison Chambers of Distinction

This trip was made possible thanks to the generosity of Tourism Northern Ireland.