Derry/Londonderry Entertainment

Entertainment in Derry/Londonderry

  1. A

    Sandino's Café-Bar

    From the posters of Ché to the Free Palestine flag to the Fairtrade coffee, this relaxed café-bar exudes a liberal, left-wing vibe. There are live bands on Friday at 21:30, and occasionally midweek, and DJ sessions on Saturdays. On Sundays there's a traditional Irish music session at 15:00, and live jazz/soul or DJs from 21:30, plus regular theme nights, fundraising nights and political events. Check the website for details.

    reviewed

  2. B

    Mason's Bar

    The city that spawned the Undertones is still turning out raw, rumbustious live music and Mason's Friday night sessions, kicking off at 18:00, are the place to catch the latest offerings from local talent. There are three or four acts each week, as well as open-mic sessions on Monday and occasional live bands on Saturdays at 22:00; check out what's on at www.myspace.com/masons629.

    reviewed

  3. C

    Badgers Bar

    A fine polished-brass and stained-glass Victorian pub crammed with wood-panelled nooks and crannies, Badgers overflows at lunchtime with shoppers enjoying quality pub grub, and offers a quiet haven in the evenings when it attracts a crowd of more mature drinkers.

    reviewed

  4. D

    Peadar O'Donnell's

    A backpackers' favourite, Peadar's goes for traditional music sessions every night and often on weekend afternoons as well. It's done up as a typical Irish pub-cum-grocer down to shelves of grocery items, with a pig's head and hams hanging off the ceiling.

    reviewed

  5. E

    Nerve Centre

    The Nerve Centre is a multimedia arts centre started in 1990 to encourage young, local talent in the fields of music and film. The centre has a performance area, a theatre, a cinema (with an art-house programme), a bar and a café.

    reviewed

  6. F

    Earth@Café Roc

    Derry's main nightclub and bar complex, close to the university, has a student night on Tuesday, chart hits and dance anthems on Friday, and guest DJs on Saturday.

    reviewed

  7. G

    Playhouse

    This community arts centre stages dance and theatre performances. It also houses the Context Gallery, which hosts exhibitions by local artists.

    reviewed

  8. H

    Gweedore Bar

    Next door to Peadar O'Donnell's and part of the same complex, the Gweedore Bar hosts live rock bands most nights, with a DJ bar upstairs.

    reviewed

  9. Waterside Theatre

    Housed in a former factory 500m east of the River Foyle, this theatre stages drama, dance, comedy, children's theatre and live music.

    reviewed

  10. I

    Millennium Forum

    Ireland's biggest theatre auditorium is a major venue for dance, drama, concerts, opera and musicals.

    reviewed

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  12. J

    Magee College

    The college hosts a variety of arts, theatre and classical-concert performances throughout the year.

    reviewed

  13. K

    Strand Multiplex

    This seven-screen multiplex is the place for mainstream movies.

    reviewed

  14. Waterside Theatre

    Housed in a former factory 500m east of the River Foyle, this theatre stages drama, dance, comedy, children’s theatre and live music.

    reviewed

  15. Sandino’s Café-Bar

    From the posters of Ché to the Free Palestine flag to the fairtrade coffee, this relaxed cafe-bar exudes a liberal, left-wing vibe. There are live bands on Friday nights and occasionally midweek, and DJ sessions on Saturdays. On Sundays there’s a traditional Irish music session at 5pm, and live jazz/soul or DJs from 9pm, plus regular theme nights, fundraising nights and political events.

    reviewed

  16. L

    Playhouse

    Housed in beautifully restored former school buildings with an award-winning modern extension at the rear, this community arts centre stages music, dance and theatre performances by local and international performers. It’s also home to the Context Gallery (open 11am to 5.30pm Tuesday to Saturday), which hosts exhibitions by local artists.

    reviewed

  17. M

    Peadar O’Donnell’s

    A backpackers’ favourite, Peadar’s goes for traditional music sessions every night and often on weekend afternoons as well. It’s done up as a typical Irish pub-cum-grocer, down to the shelves of grocery items, shopkeepers scales on the counter and a museum’s-worth of old bric-a-brac.

    reviewed

  18. N

    Nerve Centre

    The Nerve Centre was set up in 1990 as a multimedia arts centre to encourage young, local talent in the fields of music and film. The centre has a performance area (live music at weekends), a theatre, a cinema (with an art-house program), a bar and a cafe.

    reviewed

  19. O

    Millennium Forum

    Ireland’s biggest theatre auditorium is a major venue for dance, drama, concerts, opera and musicals.

    reviewed

  20. P

    Mason’s Bar

    The city that spawned the Undertones is still turning out raw, rumbustious live music; Mason’s Wednesday- and Friday-night sessions, kicking off at 6pm, are the place to catch the latest offerings from local talent. There are three or four acts each week, as well as open-mic nights on Mondays, occasional live bands on Saturdays and trad music sessions on Sundays at 6pm.

    reviewed

  21. Q

    Magee College

    The college hosts a variety of arts, theatre and classical-concert performances throughout the year.

    reviewed

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  23. R

    Gweedore Bar

    Next door to Peadar O’Donnell’s and part of the same complex, the Gweedore Bar hosts live rock bands most nights, while the DJ bar upstairs is home to Jika Jika, the city’s best house-music club (last Friday of month).

    reviewed

  24. S

    Earth@Café Roc

    Derry’s main nightclub and bar complex, close to the university, was closed for a major refurbishment at the time of research; check out www.bebo.com/earth_roc for what’s on when it re-opens.

    reviewed

  25. T

    Derry Omniplex

    This seven-screen multiplex is the place for mainstream movies.

    reviewed

  26. U

    Café del Mondo

    A newly opened Bohemian cafe that serves excellent fairtrade coffee, at the time of research del Mondo was planning a Sunday-night music club – call in to see what’s on the program.

    reviewed

  27. V

    Badgers Bar

    A fine polished-brass and stained-glass Victorian pub crammed with wood-panelled nooks and crannies, Badgers overflows at lunchtime with shoppers enjoying quality pub grub, and offers a quiet haven in the evenings when it attracts a crowd of more mature drinkers.

    reviewed