In Belfast, there is always a venue or bar with a fantastic lineup of traditional music sessions any day of the week. Enjoy a night out with your friends and immerse yourself in Irish culture. Also, discover when the next Belfast TradFest festival is taking place and learn about the art of traditional music through talks, workshops and live shows.

 

Whites and Oyster Rooms

Whites Tavern & Garden

Whites Tavern & Garden is located on Winecellar Entry, which was named after the many wine and spirit merchants located there. Whites Tavern always has a full weekend line up of Irish traditional sessions, singers and bands.

Traditional Music Sessions Duke of York

The Duke of York

Nestled along a narrow, cobbled alleyway in the historic Half Bap area, The Duke offers a traditional Belfast welcome of craic, music and humour in contrast to the modern, fashionable establishments currently blowing into the surrounding streets. The Duke of York always has a fantastic lineup of live music every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Sunday Music Sessions at The Dirty Onion

The Dirty Onion

A former spirit warehouse, The Dirty Onion is said to be Belfast’s oldest building, with low ceilings supported by exposed wooden beams and original brick walls throughout. The Dirty Onion offer entertainment 7 nights a week, with a strong focus on contemporary live bands and acoustic acts… Oh, and it is also free entry every night! Find out more here.

Deer's Head Flight

The Deer's Head

For music enthusiasts, enjoy live music sessions in the bar every week from the best local talent. There is traditional music every Saturday at The Deer’s Head! Enjoy live music sessions in the bar every week from the best local talents, from ukulele jams to trad sessions.

Upstairs, you’ll find The Deer’s Head Music Hall; a 200-capacity venue showcasing everything from local blues artists to popular touring bands from the UK, Ireland and beyond.

Errigle Inn pint of Guinness

The Errigle Inn

The Errigle Inn is known as one of Ireland’s most famous traditional pubs with a great reputation for excellent food, music and atmosphere. Weekly The Errigle Inn host ‘Traditional Tuesdays’ at 10pm!’

Live Traditional Music Sessions every Tuesday night, Trad is Back! Free Entry.

John Hewitt

The John Hewitt Bar

The John Hewitt has become a popular venue for quality, live music with a close relationship with the arts in Belfast. The bar being very much traditional in style lent itself well to traditional music sessions, and from there its name was established as a venue for various styles of good, live music.

The John Hewitt Afternoon Session on a Saturday has been playing since the bar opened their doors in 1999. A session that you wouldn’t want to miss, full of the finest Traditional Irish music.

The John Hewitt Bar bring you LIVE Entertainment, at Least 6 Nights per Week. Admission FREE.

Belfast Traditional Music Trail

Belfast Traditional Music Trail

The Belfast Traditional Music Trail is a unique way to experience Irish music. With two professional musicians as your guides, walk through cobbled alleyways, past famous landmarks and on to private bars in some of the city’s oldest buildings. At each of the three stops you will be treated to a performance of traditional tunes, songs and stories, all of which make up your own personal ‘session’. Enjoy a local beer, cider, whiskey or Guinness while learning about the instruments, language, customs and history that make up Ireland’s vibrant musical tradition.

Looking for something different?

Despite our traditional roots Belfast has plenty of places to enjoy world music and discover something new. Lose yourself in a tropical party at Revolución de Cuba with live samba music and salsa dancing; or be transported to 1930s New York at Bert’s Jazz Bar or Scott's Jazz Club.

bertz Jazz

Berts Jazz Bar & Restaurant

Find yourself instantly transported back to the chic, intimate jazz bars of 1930’s New York as you soak up the sophisticated atmosphere and let the cool jazz melodies wash over you.

Scotts Jazz Club Bass

Scott's Jazz Club

Scott’s Jazz Club is a Friday night jazz concert at The Ballyhackamore Club, featuring the finest jazz musicians in Ireland and beyond.

Talkin Bout a Revolution

Revolución de Cuba

Revolución de Cuba is all about celebrating the vibrant Cuban rhythm, there is always a fiesta to be had.

Read more

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