Crown Liquor Saloon
Belfast's most beautiful pub — carved snugs, stained glass and gaslight, opposite the Europa Hotel.
City Centre
The Grand Opera House on Great Victoria Street is one of the finest surviving examples of the exuberant 'oriental' theatre style in the UK and Ireland. Designed by Frank Matcham and opened in 1895, its auditorium is a fantasy of gilded boxes, carved elephant heads and a richly painted ceiling.
Damaged repeatedly during the Troubles — it stands beside the Europa, long known as the most-bombed hotel in Europe — the theatre has been lovingly restored, most recently in a major programme completed in 2021. It remains a working stage for touring musicals, opera, drama and a famously lavish Christmas pantomime.
Even without a ticket to a show, guided heritage tours let you see the auditorium and learn its colourful story, from Edwardian variety nights to its place at the heart of the city's cultural life.
Visitor tips
- Heritage tours run on selected days — book in advance.
- The upper boxes have the best view of the painted ceiling.
More culture in Belfast
St George's Market
A brick-and-iron market hall from 1890, buzzing at weekends with producers, street food and live sessions.
City Centre
Cathedral Quarter
The city's cultural district — St Anne's Cathedral, entry-wide murals, galleries and the best bars and music.
Cathedral Quarter