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Morning Star
One of several traditional pubs hidden away in the pedestrian alleys off High St, the Morning Star dates back to at least 1810 when it was mentioned in the Belfast News Letter as a terminal for the Dublin to Belfast stage coach. It has a big sweeping horseshoe bar, and cosy snugs for privacy.
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Mynt
Another new club complex with a vast, luxurious lounge bar and two club spaces, Mynt provides entertainment all through the week, culminating in hilarious Sunday-night game shows hosted by Belfast's favourite drag queen Baroness Titti von Tramp.
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Nest
Other gay-friendly pubs include the Nest, the John Hewitt and the Spaniard.
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Northern Whig
A stylish modern bar set in an elegant Georgian printing works, the Northern Whig's airy interior is dominated by three huge Socialist-Realist statues rescued from Prague in the early 1990s. Its relaxing sofas and armchairs in fashionable chocolate and café-au-lait colours encourage serious afternoon loafing.
The pace hots up considerably after on Friday and Saturday when the stag- and hen-party crowd starts knocking back the WKDs and Bacardi Breezers.
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Old Museum Arts Centre
The Old Museum stages an exciting programme of drama and comedy, with occasional prose and poetry readings and dance performances.
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QUB Student Union
The student union has various bars and music venues hosting club nights, live bands and stand-up comedy. The monthly Shine is one of the city's best club nights with resident and guest DJs pumping out harder and heavier dance music than most of Belfast's other clubs.
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Queen's Film Theatre
A two-screen art-house cinema close to the university, and a major venue for the Belfast Film Festival.
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Queen's University School of Music
Queen's University School of Music stages free lunch-time recitals on Thursday and regular evening concerts in the beautiful, hammer beam-roofed Harty Room and at the Sonic Arts Research Centre with occasional performances in the larger Sir William Whitla Hall. You can download a programme from the website - click on the Music at Queen's link.
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Rotterdam
The Rotterdam is a purist's pub, unrepentantly old-fashioned and wonderfully atmospheric, with stone floors, an open fire, low ceilings and perfectly poured Guinness. It's famed for the quality of its live music sessions - jazz, folk, rock or blues plays most nights, and in summer the tables - and the gigs - spill outdoors.
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Shine
In Shine, the students union can boast one of the city's best club nights - many visiting clubbers have recommended it - with resident and guest DJs pumping out harder, heavier dance music than most of Belfast's other clubs. Student or other photo ID required.
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Sir William Whitla Hall
Queen's University's School of Music stages free lunch-time recitals on Thursday and regular evening concerts in the beautiful, hammer beam-roofed Harty Room and at the Sonic Arts Research Centre with occasional performances in the larger Sir William Whitla Hall. You can download a programme from the website - click on the Music at Queen's link.
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Sonic Arts Research Centre
Queen's University's School of Music stages free lunch-time recitals on Thursday and regular evening concerts in the beautiful, hammer beam-roofed Harty Room and at the Sonic Arts Research Centre, with occasional performances in the larger Sir William Whitla Hall. You can download a programme from the website - click on the Music at Queen's link.
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Spaniard
Forget 'style' - this narrow, crowded bar, which looks as if it's been squeezed into someone's flat, has more atmosphere in one battered sofa than most 'style bars' have in their shiny entirety. Friendly staff, good beer, an eclectic crowd and cool tunes played at a volume that still allows you to talk: bliss. On Sunday from to midnight is You Say We Play, with the DJ playing requests only.
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Spring and Airbrake
There's no dedicated comedy club in the city, but there are regular comedy nights at various venues including the Spring and Airbrake, the Belfast Empire and the QUB Student Union.
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Stiff Kitten
If the scene is getting too grungy for your tastes head for the Stiff Kitten, a stylish new bar and club. Same serious attitude to the music, but distinctly glitzier, appealing to an over-25 crowd.
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Storm Cinemas
Storm Cinemas Belfast's biggest multiplex, with 12 screens and stadium seats throughout; part of the Odyssey Complex.
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The Golden Mile
The Golden Mile - the 1km stretch of Great Victoria St and Shaftesbury Sq that links the city centre to the university district - was once the focus for much of Belfast's nightlife. These days, with the regeneration of the city centre, it's more tarnished brass than gold, but it still has several decent pubs and eateries.
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Thompson's
The best night at Thompson's is Friday's Groovilicious, with DJs laying down everything from funky techno to breakbeat to classic acid house, while Faith plays club classics late into Sunday night for those who don't want the weekend to end. The club, hidden away in the city centre, regularly hosts international DJs.
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Ulster Hall
The 1862 Ulster Hall is a popular venue for a range of events including rock concerts, lunch-time organ recitals, boxing bouts and performances by the Ulster Orchestra. It's closed for renovations until the end of 2008.
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Union Street
A stylish modern bar with retro styling and lots of bare brick and dark wood - check out the Belfast sinks in the loo - Union Street pulls in a mixed gay and straight crowd, attracted by the laid-back atmosphere and good food.
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Waterfront Hall
This impressive 2235-seat venue on the River Lagan is Belfast's flagship performance space. You can catch up-and-coming comedians here and a host of other local, national and international performers, from pop stars to symphony orchestras.
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White's Tavern
Established in 1630 but rebuilt in 1790, White's claims to be Belfast's oldest tavern (unlike a pub, a tavern provided food and lodging). Downstairs is a traditional Irish bar with open peat fire and live folk music Wednesday to Saturday, upstairs is all red brick, pine and polished copper, with DJs playing from Thursday to Saturday.
