The Side Bar will open on Chichester Street in new 2,000 sq. ft. space, creating 20 jobs. The team behind one of Belfast's best-loved bars, The Garrick, is preparing to open a new hospitality venue in the heart of the city. The Side Bar will create 20 new jobs and bring fresh life to a 2,000 square foot premises on Chichester Street. Opening on Friday 23 October, The Side Bar is the latest venture from the team who have established The Garrick as a firm Belfast favourite over

As we waited for the concert to start, I questioned, “Is this the right venue for a megastar, a legend, a Spice Girl?” There was a stark contrast between the ornate ceilings of the 3Olympia Theatre and the neon tube lights scattered across the waiting stage. There was also an unquestionable contrast between the scale of the stages we’re used to seeing Melanie C play. “Has her monumental fame been lost in time?” The lights went down, and the opening track, ‘Undefeated Champion

Last night, was opening night for Barnum, The Circus Musical at Belfast’s Grand Opera House. The place was packed, and the tone was set right from we walked into the auditorium. Jingly circus music bursting out of the speakers, getting the groove going even before the curtain went up. Full disclosure – when I got asked to go to this I thought it was The Greatest Showman I’d been booked in for. In my ignorance that’s as much as I knew about PT Barnam. The Greatest Showman i

At 9pm sharp, the curtain dropped to reveal a large raised platform, three towering screens and a glossy, wet-look stage complete with catwalk. It was sleek rather than stadium-sized, but it gave the room exactly what it needed: somewhere for three women, six dancers and an industrial quantity of hair flicks to get to work. A video montage introduced each Doll before Nicole Scherzinger, Kimberly Wyatt and Ashley Roberts sprang from the stage in pink, flowing, tasselled tracks

It's hard to believe it's been 17 years since I managed the Pussycat Dolls’ Doll Domination tour back in 2009 as one of my first major events. I remember the details vividly; the concert took place at the Kings Hall because the Odyssey Arena had already been booked for athletics, which required nearly a week for setup. As a result, the girls' performance in Belfast was held at the Kings Hall. Lady Gaga was their support act and, to this day, she is the only support act I know

There are some performers whose legacy simply refuses to fade, and Judy Garland is absolutely one of them. The legend, the icon, that voice. We know the films and songs, and most of us know something about the troubled woman behind the Hollywood sparkle. But Judy: End of the Rainbow, playing at Belfast’s Grand Opera House to 26 September 2026, asks us to look beyond the legend and spend time with Judy the woman. Believe me, it isn’t always an easy watch. Written by Peter Quil

There are some productions that are simply enjoyable, and then there are those that completely sweep you away. BSPA’s production of Hadestown at The MAC Belfast firmly belongs in the latter category. We were delighted to be invited along to today’s matinee, on the final day of the run, and watching Team Olympus take to the stage was nothing short of extraordinary. Ambitious, atmospheric and packed with remarkable young talent, this was a production that felt far bigger than t

Kat Slater Eat Your Heart Out When musical extraordinaire High Society rolled into town, and the lovely folk at the Grand Opera House asked us along, we of course said yes. Full disclosure, I love a musical but I knew absolutely nothing about this one. Then someone told me it was an old jazz musical, my heart dropped a bit - I'm not a fan of jazz (at all). But still, I went with an open mind. Well, let me tell you... Bejezuz this is a quare story. Think the high class shennig

Two of Ireland's Finest Luxury Brands Unite as The Merchant Hotel Partners with VOYA to Launch Exclusive New Spa Experiences Belfast's iconic five star Merchant Hotel today announces an exclusive spa partnership with Ireland's internationally acclaimed organic wellness brand, VOYA. Two of Ireland's most prestigious luxury brands have come together to unveil two exclusive new signature spa rituals at The Merchant Hotel Spa. Launching today - August 11th 2026, the collaboration

A double cast of 86 young performers to take audiences on an unforgettable journey to the Underworld. The timeless tales of Greek mythology are captivating audiences around the world once again, and this summer Belfast School of Performing Arts (BSPA) is bringing one of the most celebrated modern retellings to Northern Ireland as 86 talented young performers take to the stage in Hadestown: Teen Edition at The MAC. Performed by two complete casts of aspiring performers aged be

Before walking into the Grand Opera House Belfast for opening night of The Ballad of Johnny and June, my entire working knowledge of Johnny Cash could be summed up in three bullet points: he sang Ring of Fire, there is a film about him called Walk the Line, and Reese Witherspoon won an Oscar for it. That was it, that was the research folder, the end Lol! So, when my other half showed actual interest in coming along as my plus one, I knew this was either going to be a lovely n

“I have GENUINELY been such a fan of Sara Bareilles since the start of her career, seeing the show and reviewing has ticked a big life moment for me hearing her songs in what was genuinely an amazing show! 👏🏼” From the moment the giant pie curtain lifted to reveal our dazzling lead, Carrie Hope Fletcher as Jenna, opening with the beautifully heartfelt What’s Inside, I was hooked. Her vocals were breathtaking, and before the first song had even ended, I found myself asking t

Right, hand over my Gay Card now because I have a confession to make: I’ve never been the world’s biggest fan of Priscilla Queen of the Desert. I know. Gasp. Shock. Horror. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always thought the film was perfectly fine. It’s colourful, it’s funny, it’s iconic in many ways. But for whatever reason, it never completely grabbed me. Maybe I’m more of a Muriel’s Wedding kind of gay. So when I headed along to Belfast’s Grand Opera House to catch the latest tou

How do you review a show like Only Human Live- an illusionary experience with a narrative centred around free will? A show that constantly poses the question to the audience: “Do we really have control over anything we decide?” without that lingering feeling that even my decision on how I review this show was already made for me. It’s difficult to review my experience, not because it was bad, because it was amazing! But also because, of course, we were asked to keep what happ

A dazzling cast, sensational choreography and a sublime live orchestra make Belfast Operatic Company’s Guys & Dolls a winning production packed with humour, heart and classic musical theatre magic. The opening night of Belfast Operatic Company’s Guys & Dolls at the Grand Opera House hit the jackpot. From the first brassy notes of the overture to the final curtain call, the sublime 19 piece orchestra ensured this production was one to remember. This beloved musical bursts with