Days Out NI
Live music Belfast

Limelight Belfast

Belfast's main mid-size rock and indie venue since 1987, two rooms plus a bar, and over-18s on most nights.

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Evening shows and…evening shows and club nights; times set…
Check listingsOver-18s in the evening
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Limelight Belfast — Belfast's main mid-size rock and indie venue since 1987, two rooms plus a bar, and over-18s on most nights.

  • Who it's for: over-18s on most nights, photo ID required; occasional all-ages shows, always check the individual event listing.
  • Music: touring and local rock, indie, metal and alternative acts, plus club nights.
  • Tickets: ticketed in advance, price varies by event; not a walk-in venue.
  • When: evening shows and club nights; times set per event.
Plan your visit

The rooms

The complex is made up of Limelight 1 and Limelight 2, the two main performance spaces, plus Katy's Bar and an outdoor terrace called the Rock Garden. Limelight 1 is the larger room, and it took that name in a 2012 refurbishment when the space previously known as the Spring and Airbrake was rebranded. Your ticket will tell you which room you are in, and it matters, because they are very different sizes.

Trading since 1987 Two rooms, Limelight 1 and Limelight 2 Katy's Bar and the Rock Garden outdoor terrace Touring rock, indie, metal and club nights Oasis played here in September 1994 Ormeau Avenue, walkable from Belfast city centre
Good to know before you go:

The listings run year-round across both rooms, mixing touring international acts with local bills and weekend club nights. Shows are announced well ahead and popular dates sell out, so book rather than turning up.

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
ticketed live music venue and club complex
Who it's for
over-18s on most nights, photo ID required; occasional all-ages shows, always check the individual event listing
Music
touring and local rock, indie, metal and alternative acts, plus club nights
Tickets
ticketed in advance, price varies by event; not a walk-in venue
When
evening shows and club nights; times set per event
Parking
city-centre car parks and on-street parking around Ormeau Avenue
Address
17 Ormeau Avenue, Belfast
Questions

Before you go

Can we bring the kids?
over-18s on most nights, photo ID required; occasional all-ages shows, always check the individual event listing
What's the music like?
touring and local rock, indie, metal and alternative acts, plus club nights
Do I need a ticket?
ticketed in advance, price varies by event; not a walk-in venue
When is it on?
evening shows and club nights; times set per event
Getting there

Limelight Belfast is at 17 Ormeau Avenue, Belfast. city-centre car parks and on-street parking around Ormeau Avenue. Tap below for directions.

Directions on Google MapsOfficial website See it on our map
Nearby

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The story

Part of the heritage

The Limelight opened in 1987 under Patrick Lennon. Its operator went into administration in 2010, and the complex was bought in late 2011 by the Irish promoters MCD and Shine Productions, which is who runs it now.

Oasis played here on 4 September 1994. Noel Gallagher later said of it: "Limelight is now part of our heritage. There was a great buzz when the owner Eamonn McCann informed me we had hit the No 1 spot that night in '94." Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes, Blur, Snow Patrol and Kaiser Chiefs are on the same guest list.