The Court House — Bangor's old seafront courthouse, restored by Open House as an independent non-profit music and arts venue.
Who it's for: gigs are 18+ unless the listing says otherwise. Under-18s may attend before 6pm with an adult, which opens up daytime and early-evening events including the film club.
Music: folk, rock, indie, classical and Irish traditional, plus stand-up comedy and the Tonic Classic Film Club.
Tickets: ticketed online, and at the door if not sold out. Advertised prices include booking fee and all charges.
Food: bar facilities on site. Food is not confirmed, check before you travel.
When: event nights, plus daytime programming. Office hours Mon-Fri 10am-5pm.
Accessibility: wheelchair accessible throughout, platform lift to the first floor, three accessible toilets, reserved seating, assistance dogs welcome, Buddy Scheme free companion ticket.
Plan your visit
Three rooms
The Court Room is the main ground-floor space and takes the bigger gigs. Next to it is the Open Arms Theatre Bar. Upstairs, reachable by lift, is The Drawing Room for smaller and quieter shows. Some events are fully seated, some fully standing, some a mix, and the listing tells you which.
Restored 19th century courthouse on the seafrontFolk, rock, indie, classical and Irish traditional musicTonic Classic Film Club screeningsFully wheelchair accessible, with a Buddy SchemeFree parking within a short walk
Good to know before you go:
The programme runs all year and is published on courthousebangor.com, with bills that have included Duke Special, bluegrass touring acts and tribute shows. Open House also runs its wider festival programme through the building.
Before you set off
What to bring
🎟️Your ticketBigger gigs sell out — book ahead rather than chancing the door.
🪪IDIt’s an over-18s room, so bring photo ID if you look anywhere near it.
💷A bit of cashHandy for the door, the cloakroom and the taxi home.
📱The what’s-on pageThe listings change weekly — check who’s playing before you go.
Good to know
Everything before you go
Type
independent non-profit music and arts venue in a restored courthouse
Who it's for
gigs are 18+ unless the listing says otherwise. Under-18s may attend before 6pm with an adult, which opens up daytime and early-evening events including the film club
Music
folk, rock, indie, classical and Irish traditional, plus stand-up comedy and the Tonic Classic Film Club
Tickets
ticketed online, and at the door if not sold out. Advertised prices include booking fee and all charges
Food
bar facilities on site. Food is not confirmed, check before you travel
When
event nights, plus daytime programming. Office hours Mon-Fri 10am-5pm
Accessibility
wheelchair accessible throughout, platform lift to the first floor, three accessible toilets, reserved seating, assistance dogs welcome, Buddy Scheme free companion ticket
Parking
two free 24-hour car parks at Queen's Parade and Quay Street, Blue Badge bays on both, plus low-cost parking at The Flagship Centre
Address
16 Quay Street, Bangor BT20 5ED
Questions
Before you go
Can we bring the kids?
gigs are 18+ unless the listing says otherwise. Under-18s may attend before 6pm with an adult, which opens up daytime and early-evening events including the film club
What's the music like?
folk, rock, indie, classical and Irish traditional, plus stand-up comedy and the Tonic Classic Film Club
Do I need a ticket?
ticketed online, and at the door if not sold out. Advertised prices include booking fee and all charges
Do they do food?
bar facilities on site. Food is not confirmed, check before you travel
When is it on?
event nights, plus daytime programming. Office hours Mon-Fri 10am-5pm
Getting there
The Court House is at 16 Quay Street, Bangor BT20 5ED. two free 24-hour car parks at Queen's Parade and Quay Street, Blue Badge bays on both, plus low-cost parking at The Flagship Centre. Tap below for directions.
The building spent its working life handing down small-town justice on the Bangor seafront, then sat waiting for a purpose. Open House, the organisation behind Bangor's long-running festival, took it on and restored it with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Arts Council and a run of charitable trusts.
The result keeps the names. You buy a ticket for a gig in the Court Room. You get a drink in the Open Arms Theatre Bar. A room built for arguments is now the best-sounding room in North Down, and the whole thing is run as a non-profit, which is why the bookings feel chosen rather than sold.