Exploring Belfast in September
Are you new to Belfast and looking for the best spots? Good news – there’s lots on for students here when you first start Uni! It’s a great time to explore the city and make memories.
Chilled Nights – Something a Bit Different:
If you’re looking for something to do at night which is a bit more relaxed but still lots of fun, check out the Empire in Botanic. They have a comedy club which runs most Tuesday nights at 9pm (doors at 7.30pm, go early to make sure you get a seat). It’s £12 entry with a free pint for the first 50 people and you can get tickets online. There’s a mix of local and international comedians and you can usually find who will be performing on the Empire Laughs Back Instagram page. Lavery’s in Bradbury Place also run comedy nights on various evenings, check their website for upcoming shows.
Reboot Café on the Lisburn Road, not far from the Students Union, is another great alternative to do something fun with your friends that doesn’t involve drinking. It’s open from 12 – 10pm everyday and offers a wide range of food and drinks that you can enjoy while playing any of the games available. They have lots of board games and trivia, guaranteed to spark a bit of friendly competition!
If you’re a fan of a pub quiz, the Students’ Union bar run their Big Quiz every Tuesday from 9.30pm. It’s free to enter and a great way to break the ice with your new friends! If general knowledge isn’t your thing, they also have the Midweek Music Quiz every Wednesday at the same time. Get down before they start – seats fill up quickly, especially around freshers.
W5 is a great place for a fun-filled night out, especially their adult-only sessions ‘W5 Late’. The next session ‘Flight Club’ is on 26th September from 7-11pm. It’s full of interactive areas and exhibitions - a fab way to do something a bit different and have a laugh while getting to know your new friends. It also has a bar if you fancy it!
Escaping the City - Beaches, Bikes & Botanic:
If there’s a sunny day (rare at this time of the year I know!) or you want to escape the city for an afternoon, get the train from Botanic to Helen’s Bay for a beach day. It’s just a short walk from the train station to the shore where you can sit with your friends and go for a stroll or a swim. Not far from the beach (about a 20-minute walk) is Crawfordsburn Country Park which offers scenic walks, a waterfall and a café on site. It also has lots of parking if you prefer to drive.
Another way to get out in nature is by exploring Botanic Gardens. Have a walk around, play a game on the grass or have a picnic. You can also tour the Tropical Ravine & Palm House. They’re usually open every day from around 10am-3.30pm and it’s great to experience at least once while you’re at Queen’s.
If you prefer a cycle, Lagan Meadows is a beautiful spot to explore. You can rent a bike from various places around the city through BelfastBikes – I picked up mine outside the library and it’s only a short journey from there. Make sure to download the NextBike app before you go to save time.
Exploring the City:
If you are out and about in the city centre, St George's Market is a great way to spend a morning. It’s free entry and full of traders selling anything from food & drink to clothes and antiques. The Belfast Bap is a fan favourite and available in the market. It’s only open Friday-Sunday from about 9am-2pm (check their Instagram for specific opening hours) so it’s great if you have a weekend free.
While you’re in the city centre, a walk around City Hall is great if you’re new to Belfast. It’s open every day from around 10am-5pm and has a visitor exhibition which walks you through the history of Belfast from its foundation until present day. Whether you’re into history or not, it’s a great way to learn about the city. Ulster Museum is also a great place for this, it’s free to enter and open Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 5pm. It’s on Stranmillis Road just beside Botanic Gardens – check out the What’s On section on their website for topical events and activities.
Big Nights Out - Pubs, Clubs & Everything In between:
For nights out, there’s usually club nights every evening during freshers (check out which ones your flatmates or course friends are going to), but some are better than others! Limelight always has designated nights for different kinds of music and is mostly first years. BABBA on a Thursday is pop; Wednesdays are techno with UFO – their Instagram is the best place to see what’s on. Kremlin is usually the place to go on a Tuesday – the music is great and there’s lots of different sections within it, but it gets very busy so be prepared! It’s LGBTQ+ friendly, as are Maverick and Boombox. Funkarama on a Wednesday at Thompsons are pretty popular; I’ve never been a fan but it’s definitely worth going at least once, especially if you’re a hip-hop enthusiast.
If pubs are more your thing, there’s lots not too far from Queen’s that are a guaranteed good night out. The Points is great for traditional Irish music, and it’ll be right up your street if you love a good sing along. Anywhere in Cathedral Quarter is a good shout any day of the week, especially Dirty Onion and Thirsty Goat – they usually have live music and a buzzing atmosphere. Lavery’s is lovely for a quiet drink, and they have a whole room of pool tables upstairs – excellent for a laid-back night. Oh, and Kelly’s has the best Guinness!
