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Belfast City this weekend...

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  • 28-04-2009 1:49pm
    #1
    Knifey_Spoony
    Closed Accounts Posts: 318 ✭✭


    Hi,

    Myself and a few friends are going to Belfast this weekend (bank holiday weekend n' all of that :) ).
    I'm just looking for advice on some good bars to go to, and any events/gigs that may be on this weekend.

    There will be about 6 or 7 of us, all in our early to mid 20's. Mixture of guys and girls.

    In Dublin, our favourite bars would include....The Quays in temple bar, Flannerys & Whelans...so something along those lines would be great :)

    We are staying in the city centre.

    Suggestions of good central pubs for some pub grub / hangover breakfasts, would be great too.

    Thanks!

    Oh, also...with regards to shopping...what is the best option to get the best exchange rate. Change euros to sterling before we leave? Change into sterling when we get there? Use laser? Or use credit card?

    Thanks! :)


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    #2
    regob
    Registered Users Posts: 1,418 ✭✭✭regob


    well whats the name of the place your staying in


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    #3
    pow wow
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,288 ✭✭✭pow wow


    Re. the currency, Euro is accepted up here though not everywhere. The rate is usually fairly good (they're keen to get the Euro outta you!). If you're changing money up here do it in either the post office or the Marks and Spencer currency bureau (in the big M&S opposite city hall and the big wheel) as, afaik, they're both commission free still. I don't think there'll be too much difference in the rate you'd get doing it once you get here v doing it before you leave. If you use your credit cards your providers will charge a % for currency exchange, though this will (almost always) be included in the total amount that appears on your statement for the transaction so you won't notice it.

    I'll pop back later/tomorrow with some social suggestions :cool:


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    #4
    Knifey_Spoony
    Closed Accounts Posts: 318 ✭✭Knifey_Spoony


    pow wow wrote: »
    Re. the currency, Euro is accepted up here though not everywhere. The rate is usually fairly good (they're keen to get the Euro outta you!). If you're changing money up here do it in either the post office or the Marks and Spencer currency bureau (in the big M&S opposite city hall and the big wheel) as, afaik, they're both commission free still. I don't think there'll be too much difference in the rate you'd get doing it once you get here v doing it before you leave. If you use your credit cards your providers will charge a % for currency exchange, though this will (almost always) be included in the total amount that appears on your statement for the transaction so you won't notice it.

    I'll pop back later/tomorrow with some social suggestions :cool:

    Thanks a million!

    Suggestions on comedy shows and/or gigs would be great.
    Also, ideas on good pubs to watch the rugby on Sat :)
    ...and general good places for a booze up! (Places similar to Whelans and Flannerys) :)


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    #5
    regob
    Registered Users Posts: 1,418 ✭✭✭regob


    Knifey_Spoony wrote: »
    Thanks a million!

    Suggestions on comedy shows and/or gigs would be great.
    Also, ideas on good pubs to watch the rugby on Sat :)
    ...and general good places for a booze up! (Places similar to Whelans and Flannerys) :)

    place to watch rugby = bot

    will byfar have best atmosphere

    dont think there is any comedy shows on at weekends.

    there will prob be somethingt on in mandela hall on the saturday night, this i me a concert.

    however prior booking will probably be needed


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    #6
    pow wow
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,288 ✭✭✭pow wow


    regob wrote: »
    place to watch rugby = bot

    will byfar have best atmosphere

    dont think there is any comedy shows on at weekends.

    there will prob be somethingt on in mandela hall on the saturday night, this i me a concert.

    however prior booking will probably be needed

    The Bot's a hole if you're over 21 regob...no offence :D


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    #7
    Bottle_of_Smoke
    Registered Users Posts: 9,770 ✭✭✭Bottle_of_Smoke


    You'd probably like the limelight bar. Play rock/pop music for dancefloor


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    #8
    pow wow
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,288 ✭✭✭pow wow


    For pubbing try....

    The Northern Whig on Bridge Street (5-10min walk from big wheel)...http://www.thenorthernwhig.com/index.asp

    McHughs on Queen's Square (15ish min walk from big wheel)... http://www.mchughsbar.com/index.asp

    Apartment on Donegall Square West (big wheel!!)...http://www.apartmentbelfast.com/contact.aspx

    As Bottle of Smoke said, The Limelight is good for a wee dance ;)

    For post fun snacks, there's a slightly grotty looking but very yummy 'cafe' opposite the Northern Whig....savage Ulster fry! Nyom! Maggie May's out on Botanic is also good but a bit off your beaten track if you're staying in the middle of town.

    Re. the rugger...much as it pains me to say the Botanic is probably one of your better bets. Maybe all the students will be away because it's the weekend :D A taxi from the middle of town would set you back about a fiver.


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    #9
    Knifey_Spoony
    Closed Accounts Posts: 318 ✭✭Knifey_Spoony


    That's brilliant. Thanks a million!!! :):):)


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    #10
    Knifey_Spoony
    Closed Accounts Posts: 318 ✭✭Knifey_Spoony


    Oh, what's Lavery's like? A couple of friends of mine mentioned that place.


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    #11
    biko
    Registered Users Posts: 81,220 ✭✭✭✭biko


    One of my favourite spots. Worth a visit!
    Check out http://www.belfastbar.co.uk/


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    #12
    Ha-melmahey
    Closed Accounts Posts: 31 ✭Ha-melmahey


    pow wow wrote: »
    For pubbing try....

    The Northern Whig on Bridge Street (5-10min walk from big wheel)...http://www.thenorthernwhig.com/index.asp

    McHughs on Queen's Square (15ish min walk from big wheel)... http://www.mchughsbar.com/index.asp

    Apartment on Donegall Square West (big wheel!!)...http://www.apartmentbelfast.com/contact.aspx

    As Bottle of Smoke said, The Limelight is good for a wee dance ;)

    For post fun snacks, there's a slightly grotty looking but very yummy 'cafe' opposite the Northern Whig....savage Ulster fry! Nyom! Maggie May's out on Botanic is also good but a bit off your beaten track if you're staying in the middle of town.

    Re. the rugger...much as it pains me to say the Botanic is probably one of your better bets. Maybe all the students will be away because it's the weekend :D A taxi from the middle of town would set you back about a fiver.


    All the afore mentioned bars are good if you have an expensive outfit due for an out'n.

    Though if you want proper pubs that the locals go to meet all sorts & have a great night, head just round the corner from the Northern Whig to the area called the Cathedral Quarter... The Spaniard, The Duke of York (upstairs usually good acoustic set + fantastic allsorts disco on sat) John Hewitt, (for great mix of gay/straight throw'n some shapes) The Kremlin or Union St - just across from best burger van and only 2mins down from safe fast taxis!


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    #13
    pow wow
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,288 ✭✭✭pow wow


    The Kremlin???! LOL :eek:

    The ones I recommended aren't especially posh ('cept the Apartment!) - they're just not dives. Lavery's is good but always v v busy :D


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    #14
    Ha-melmahey
    Closed Accounts Posts: 31 ✭Ha-melmahey


    pow wow wrote: »
    The Kremlin???! LOL :eek:

    The ones I recommended aren't especially posh ('cept the Apartment!) - they're just not dives. Lavery's is good but always v v busy :D


    Bad experience in the Kremlin then? ;)

    No didn't say they were particularly posh... but you got to admit they do tend to attract posers. We can agree on Lavery's and Limelight (abit divey) as well as Spring & Airbrake be'n good'uns for gigs... along the same lines and in the same area Auntie Annies can also be interest'n.

    Just give Wetherspoons a wide birth at the weekends, when the sun goes down.


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    #15
    pow wow
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,288 ✭✭✭pow wow


    Ha-melmahey wrote: »
    Bad experience in the Kremlin then? ;)

    No didn't say they were particularly posh... but you got to admit they do tend to attract posers. We can agree on Lavery's and Limelight (abit divey) as well as Spring & Airbrake be'n good'uns for gigs... along the same lines and in the same area Auntie Annies can also be interest'n.

    Just give Wetherspoons a wide birth at the weekends, when the sun goes down.

    Won't be seeing you down the Bridge House so? ;) The Kremlin (and the memories) are for life, not just for Christmas.


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    #16
    Ha-melmahey
    Closed Accounts Posts: 31 ✭Ha-melmahey


    pow wow wrote: »
    Won't be seeing you down the Bridge House so? ;) The Kremlin (and the memories) are for life, not just for Christmas.


    Been to Wetherspoons and can be fine for cheap n cheerful grub/drink in daylight, but it turns abit 'stay off the moors' when the light fades... not exactly what you want to walk unsuspect'n tourists into :D

    I see another ill advised Kremlin Xmas do has left it's mark :P


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    #17
    regob
    Registered Users Posts: 1,418 ✭✭✭regob


    pow wow wrote: »
    For pubbing try....

    The Northern Whig on Bridge Street (5-10min walk from big wheel)...http://www.thenorthernwhig.com/index.asp

    McHughs on Queen's Square (15ish min walk from big wheel)... http://www.mchughsbar.com/index.asp

    Apartment on Donegall Square West (big wheel!!)...http://www.apartmentbelfast.com/contact.aspx

    As Bottle of Smoke said, The Limelight is good for a wee dance ;)

    For post fun snacks, there's a slightly grotty looking but very yummy 'cafe' opposite the Northern Whig....savage Ulster fry! Nyom! Maggie May's out on Botanic is also good but a bit off your beaten track if you're staying in the middle of town.

    Re. the rugger...much as it pains me to say the Botanic is probably one of your better bets. Maybe all the students will be away because it's the weekend :D A taxi from the middle of town would set you back about a fiver.

    pow wow disagree wit ya on the bot comment, hes going to watch the rugby and he wants abit of atmosphere, he doesnt want to be smoking cigars with the crew of the hms pinafor,

    northern wig, why like, over priced cocktails, dont see the point

    apartment, yeah its worth a go but abit of a more mature crowd

    magie mays yummie

    agree with the botanic comment go for it


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    #18
    pow wow
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,288 ✭✭✭pow wow


    There are no naval ships in this weekend so (s)he'll be fine regob. :rolleyes:

    To recap, avoid the Bridge House! And google The Kremlin to see if it's your cup of tea. I'm with Ha-melmahey that the Duke of York is a nice pub to chill out and 'mingle' with the locals :)


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    #19
    biko
    Registered Users Posts: 81,220 ✭✭✭✭biko


    Have a Belfast Ale in here:

    3293117372_e831a9aec3.jpg


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    #20
    Knifey_Spoony
    Closed Accounts Posts: 318 ✭✭Knifey_Spoony


    Thanks for all the replies! :)

    I'm liking the review of Lavery's on that website:

    http://www.belfastbar.co.uk/laverys-review.htm

    Sounds like the kind of place we are looking for.

    Don't worry though...I'll try out a good few of the other suggestions too! :)

    Oh, one more q....what time do most pubs stop serving at and close at?
    And are there any that stay open later than others?

    Oh, and I'm a she by the way :)


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    #21
    Jigsaw
    Registered Users Posts: 1,508 ✭✭✭Jigsaw


    There's actually a really good outdoors gig on at Custom House Square on Saturday, jointly headlined by And So I Watch You From Afar (Belfast) and Fighting With Wire (Derry). Will be a rockin show alright. Opens at 8pm and is £5 in. I'd recommend it.

    http://fastfude.org/topic.php?id=33696&start=15


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    #22
    regob
    Registered Users Posts: 1,418 ✭✭✭regob


    Magnus wrote: »
    Have a Belfast Ale in here:

    3293117372_e831a9aec3.jpg

    agree


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    #23
    James Mcfadden
    Closed Accounts Posts: 62 ✭✭James Mcfadden


    Belfast ale tastes like feet to be honest. Theres a good bar behind the crown called Irene and annes. Avoid the bot at all costs and if you have loads of money and want to sit with pretensious prats then go to the cathedral quater.


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    #24
    mocata
    Registered Users Posts: 365 ✭✭mocata


    The crown is not that great, the loo's were nasty the last time i was in it (one of my pub-quality benchmarks)

    Irene and Nans is lovely, Lavery's is unique too and ur pretty much guaranteed a mad nite in it. The limelight would probably be the closest thing to Whelans in Belfast, and I love it.


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    #25
    regob
    Registered Users Posts: 1,418 ✭✭✭regob


    James Mcfadden wrote: »
    Belfast ale tastes like feet to be honest. Theres a good bar behind the crown called Irene and annes. Avoid the bot at all costs and if you have loads of money and want to sit with pretensious prats then go to the cathedral quater.

    i dont see why people seem to have this hatred of the bot


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    #26
    pow wow
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,288 ✭✭✭pow wow


    regob wrote: »
    i dont see why people seem to have this hatred of the bot

    It caters to a certain 'age group', I think once you're outside that it's just not as appealing. Myself and Markok84 would recommend the Sunday carvery tho...nyom :D


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    #27
    regob
    Registered Users Posts: 1,418 ✭✭✭regob


    pow wow wrote: »
    It caters to a certain 'age group', I think once you're outside that it's just not as appealing. Myself and Markok84 would recommend the Sunday carvery tho...nyom :D

    are thoughts differ once again pow wow


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    #28
    pow wow
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,288 ✭✭✭pow wow


    Well you asked, I answered, possibly a lot more diplomatically than others would have! Back on topic now. The OP is probably amongst us now, enjoying the Belfast sunshine!


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    #29
    regob
    Registered Users Posts: 1,418 ✭✭✭regob


    pow wow wrote: »
    Well you asked, I answered, possibly a lot more diplomatically than others would have! Back on topic now. The OP is probably amongst us now, enjoying the Belfast sunshine!

    dont understand my dear?, yeah wonder hows adviced he followed


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    #30
    pow wow
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,288 ✭✭✭pow wow


    We'll find out Tuesday :) The OP is a young lady by the way :rolleyes:


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    #31
    regob
    Registered Users Posts: 1,418 ✭✭✭regob


    pow wow wrote: »
    We'll find out Tuesday :) The OP is a young lady by the way :rolleyes:

    why whats happening tuesday, oh sorry op, i keep forgetting. shes young why the hell are you telling her to go to the cathedral quarter. you crazy.


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