Live & Local
There is always some sort of gig or a DJ or festival happening in any part of Belfast. Live & Local bills them all-from sweaty backroom sets in Cathedral Quarter pubs to outdoor summer gigs along the Lagan. It's the city's unofficial calendar for anyone who believes the best nights start with good sound and company.
Music That Moves the City
Belfast is a melting pot of grit, energy, and creativity. From intimate indie nights at a local pub to an electronic collective exploring new-age sound, the city really pulsates with musical diversity. Punk revivalists jive alongside jazz musicians while buskers on Hill Street gain a little well-deserved attention. That is, from small acoustic acts all the way to heavyweight gigs in the SSE Arena-Dance-Union, the dramatised story of the city is imprinted on every musical note. We look at how people of Belfast hear, move, and create, taking in fresh talent as well as the more established. Music is not just entertainment here; it is the inner character and soul of the city.
Festivals, Venues & Nightlife
Belfast's nightlife carries its individual rhythm from festivals underground like AVA to iconic spaces like The Empire. Diversity is the crux of the mix: an intimate club with an almost cult-like following exists right across a pop-up or two attracting an intrigued crowd. Every weekend stands witness to events that amplify genuine nights into memories whether it's live DJ sets, quirky theme nights, or multi-day music festivals. We shine a spotlight on all things that truly matter: venues where people connect, performances offer real surprises, and festivals that feel like the whole city is celebrating. In Belfast, nightlife sparkles with joy, but its soul beats music, culture, and community into the heart of the city.
Eat & Drink
Belfast does not just pour good pints; it also offers character in its very stones. Eat & Drink gets you as close as possible to the bars, breweries, and eats that keep the city alive. Think genuine reviews, pub gossip, and features celebrating the oddities of Belfast's food and drink culture.
Pubs with Personality
Every Belfast pub speaks to a story, a personality, and a piece of the city character. From ancient watering holes serving creamy stouts and whiskeys to high-end modern bars mixing inventive cocktails with home-grown distilled spirits, the city's drinks scene offers wild diversity. Bartenders stand behind their bars sharing stories, creating signature concoctions, upholding traditions, and also embracing some innovation. Through photo essays, in-depth bartender profiles, and stories of the warmth, wit, and an occasional hint of craziness on a Belfast night, we experience these spaces. More than just a pub for a drink, each pub is a communal space nurturing creativity and conversations.
Local Bites & Hidden Kitchens
Belfast’s culinary scene is an equilibrium of comfort, creativity, and local pride. Ranging from street stalls whipping out quick bites bursting with flavors to late-night slices served at a pizza window, and even a café found down an alleyway, there’s something for every mood and hour in this town. Restaurants celebrating the produce of Northern Ireland put forward fresh and seasonal ingredients; whilst pop-ups and experimental kitchens put a spin on the classics. Whether it's a quick snack after a concert, a sumptuous brunch, or that rare culinary voyage, we'll lead you to spots the locals enjoy. Every dish has a tale, just as the city's food culture is equally vibrant and authentic with its music and nightlife.
Voices
Behind every riff, pour, and painting available to view and enjoy lies a person that shapes the story of Belfast. Voices is a multitude of interviews and personal stories told from the perspective of the creative force in the city-encompassing musicians, bartenders, artists, and makers-everyone that keeps the local scene real.
In Conversation with Creators
The spirit of Belfast comes from the people shaping its streets, sounds, and walls. From spoken-word poets performing in secret corners to street-art painters turning empty walls into grand murals-the creators speak for the city. We sit down with musicians, visual artists, and performance creators to hear the untarnished views on art, life, and the developing cultural environment in Belfast. Through the conversations, we glimpse into sometimes-very-personal stories, and sometimes very-personal struggles or spurts of inspiration-that show how all these different people contribute to the energy and identity of the city. Culture in Belfast is alive because of its artists.
Behind the Bar & On the Stage
From working in a pub to doing a gig in front of a sold-out crowd, there is never just business in Bangor; it is an experience full of energy, exactly ambiance to keep the unexpected moments hazy. These stories go behind the scenes and capture the crowd, the chaos, and the merry-making during wonderful nights. From bar staff earning their stripes in bartending, to musicians and their hometown audiences, we get to showcase the human face of the nightlife scene in the city. Through interviews, storytelling, and candid shots, we demonstrate ways that pubs, stages, and festivals become occasion points for creativity and community. The nights of Belfast are carved by these interactions and those behind them.
City Stories
The charm of Belfast lies in its contradictions - it shall be industrial and artistic, historical and rebellious at one time. City Stories will disfranchise the spaces, faces, and happenings that render it unique.
Street Art & Urban Legends
Art grouped under murals in Belfast recalls the history, cultural milestones, trying to disappear under time known by locals. Thousands of walls in apartments and alleys throughout the city are covered with works of art, whether by design or as graffiti.
The talks encompass more elements: talks about artists and narratives vouched for by the city standing in the limelight with canvas.
The highlights include:
- Murals commemorating Belfast's history and cultural milestones
- Art in alleys hidden away, discovered by chance
- New generation street artists who are crafting a visual identity for the city
- Working pieces that engage public discourse and curiosity
Hidden Gems & Local Favourites
Belfast is a rewarding place to explore off the beaten path. Hidden from direct sight are gems that make local favourites for casual wanderers. Such places flourish the personality of the city, offering experiences unavailable in any tourist manual. From a tranquil café to a hidden speakeasy, every joint whispers a few stories. Key discoveries are:
- A café hidden at the back of a vintage record store
- Rooftop bars with 360-degree views of the city
- Family-run restaurants that serve homemade Northern Irish recipes
- Artistic spaces for workshops, gigs, and exhibitions
These represent what is considered genuinely every-day based magic in Belfast.
The Sound, Taste, and Soul of Belfast
The Filthy Quarter is far more than a guide; it is a love letter to the creative undercurrent of Belfast. Through music, food, art, and people who live it, this digital magazine captures the pulse of a city that is loud, proud, and endlessly alive after dark.