9 Mighty Pubs With Live Irish Music In Belfast

If you’re wondering what are the best live music pubs Belfast has to offer, you’ve landed in the right spot.

We’ve banged on about our favourite old-school pubs in Belfast a lot in the past, but not all of them hold live music sessions.

And if, like me, you don’t fancy spending an evening in one of the many nightclubs in Belfast, you can feel at a bit of a loose end.

BUT, worry not – there’s plenty of places to catch live music in Belfast tonight, you just need to know where to look!

Our favourite pubs with live music in Belfast

Now, a quick disclaimer: if you’re looking for pubs with live music in Belfast tonight, your best bet is to check their Facebook pages (links under each pub below).

The reason for this is that it’s usually on Facebook where you’ll find the most up-to-date events taking place. Right – lets dive on in!

1. Kelly’s Cellars

Opened in 1720, Kelly’s Cellars is one of the oldest traditional Irish pubs in the city and it’s a great place to catch traditional Irish music in Belfast.

You’ll find this old-school spot with a rich musical heritage and a vaulted ceiling in the heart of the city where Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays are reserved for live trad sessions.

Expect to see musicians from all over Ireland and beyond performing at this mighty little pub. The Irish stew here is also the business, if you don’t fancy nipping into one of the many restaurants in Belfast.

2. Fibber Magee’s

If you’re looking for a traditional pubs that’s steeped in history, there are few spots for live music in Belfast like Fibber Magee’s.

This is a charming pub that’s popular with tourists and locals alike (make sure to check out the extensive collection of Titanic memorabilia when you visit!).

If you’re feeling peckish, Fibber Magee’s offers a hearty menu of burgers, Irish stews, pies, ploughman’s platters, and steaks.

3. The John Hewitt

Opened by the Belfast Unemployed Resource Centre in 1999, this pub was named after John Hewitt, a famous socialist and poet from Ireland.

Besides pouring profits into worthy causes, the John Hewitt hosts live blues, folk and Irish traditional music sessions Monday through Saturday nights.

Whether you wish to attend an open mic night or listen to Ulster Scots Folk, a visit to this wonderful pub in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter promises to be a memorable experience.

4. McHugh’s Bar

With open fires and comfortable seating, McHugh’s Bar is one of the most beautiful traditional Irish pubs on this list.

There is a basement bar where you will find live music performances throughout the week and a 100-seater restaurant that offers traditional Irish cooking.

Located in the heart of Belfast on Queen’s Square, the pub is situated inside a grade A listed building that dates back to the 18th century.

There’s live trad sessions here on Saturday (14:30 to 17:30) and Sunday (16:00 to 19:00) along with live entertainment at the weekend.

Related read: Check out our guides to the best nightclubs in Belfast and the best cocktail bars in Belfast)

Other pubs in Belfast with live music

Now that we have our favourites out of the way, it’s time to have a nosey at some other spots for live music in Belfast tonight.

Again, make sure to check their Facebook pages in advance to see what’s on and when, as live music has only started to return to pubs.

1. The Dirty Onion

Situated inside a former spirit warehouse, the Dirty Onion is the oldest building in Belfast and dates back to 1780. This rustic pub with exposed wooden beams boasts one of the most extensive calendars of live Irish music in Belfast.

There’s trad sessions on Monday from 20:00 to 22:00, harp and trad sessions on Wednesday from 20:00 to 22:00, a live bluegrass session on Thursday from 21:00 to 00:00 and a full line up of music over the weekend.

If you visit the bar on a Tuesday evening and you will have an opportunity to learn how to play a traditional Irish instrument called the Bodhran.

2. The Sunflower

The Sunflower is a brilliant, no-fuss pub located a 5-minute spin from the Belfast Peace Wall, on the corner of Kent Street and Union Street.

This is one of a handful of places to catch live music in Belfast tonight that boasts tunes 7 nights a week.

There’s a solid schedule running throughout the week with everything from a folk club to a open mic nights taking place.

3. The Duke of York

The Duke of York, similar to the Crown Liquor Saloon, is one of the better known pubs in Belfast City, and for good reason.

Step inside this cosy spot and you’ll discover a warm interior with mirrored bar with stacks of Irish whiskey bottles, old photos, and Guinness memorabilia on the walls.

It’s located in the Cathedral Quarter and you’ll find benches along the alleyway outside where you can kick-back with a pint or two.

Judging from their website (at the time of typing), live music hasn’t resumed, but check here to see what’s on and when.

4. The Five Points

One of the newest additions to the pub scene in Belfast, the Five Points is a lively spot that attracts tourists and locals alike.

With traditional Irish and folk music 7 nights a week and an extensive whiskey and ales list, this pub is a great place to visit on the weekends and listen to live music performances.

The Points host live folk bands from across Ireland along with a DJ on Fridays and Saturdays, banging out 20th century rock. The pub was inspired by the Five Points district in New York.

5. Black Box

Opened in 2006, the Black Box is not your average pub. This multi-purpose arts venue hosts a wide range of events including film, comedy, cabaret, literature, and live traditional folk music performances.

It is located in the heart of the vibrant Cathedral Quarter and sits inside a historical Grade II listed building that was originally constructed in 1850.

Whether you wish to catch a cabaret show, watch a theatre performance, listen to live music, Black Box is a great spot to catch some live music in Belfast.

Live music Belfast: Where have we missed?

I’ve no doubt that we’ve unintentionally left out some brilliant places to catch live music in Belfast tonight from the guide above.

If you have a place that you’d like to recommend, let me know in the comments below and I’ll check it out!

FAQs about live music pubs in Belfast

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from which bars in Belfast do live music on Sundays to where to listen to trad.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.

What are the best pubs for live music in Belfast tonight?

The Sunflower and The Five Points are two pubs with live music in Belfast seven nights a week, so both are worth a look.

Where can you see live Irish music in Belfast?

The Dirty Onion and Kelly’s Cellars are two great options if you’re after Irish music in Belfast.