Ulster Hall
Ulster Hall
4
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The Ulster Hall is one of Belfast's most iconic venues. Sitting right at the heart of the city's vibrant entertainment scene, the venue has it all - laugh til you cry comedy, monumental gigs and family shows to warm the cockles.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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- Botanic • 9 min walk
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4.0
260 reviews
Excellent
136
Very good
81
Average
22
Poor
5
Terrible
16
Johanne C
1 contribution
Nov 2023 • Family
The worst concert ever the sound system was atrocious,we had to leave at interval.The group had to scream over the sound
Written 3 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kim E
Bangor, UK33 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
Queen by Candlelight…… the sound was dreadful….. too loud and inaudible. Thankfully we knew the songs so got the just of what they were singing!
Written 29 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wayne w
Leicester, UK3 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
I went to see Gabrielle and, although she was brilliant, I can only compare the behaviour of the staff and security as similar to what it’s like to attempt an anti-war protest in Moscow!
The staff ruined the experience of many attendees and the security were aggressively and rudely threatening to throw some out for daring to speak out. They tried to say we couldn’t record and we’re literally going round to everyone who was or even taking photos, to put their cameras away. It took for the artists themselves to say we could for the staff to back off and leave us along to enjoy the concert.
One lady even had a torch shone at her as was told to put her arms down when she was dancing.
Genuinely spoilt the evening. My partner and I are both in agreement in that, as were those around us. We’re also in agreement that we’ll never go back there again and that the staff and security need to lighten the heck up!!!!
The staff ruined the experience of many attendees and the security were aggressively and rudely threatening to throw some out for daring to speak out. They tried to say we couldn’t record and we’re literally going round to everyone who was or even taking photos, to put their cameras away. It took for the artists themselves to say we could for the staff to back off and leave us along to enjoy the concert.
One lady even had a torch shone at her as was told to put her arms down when she was dancing.
Genuinely spoilt the evening. My partner and I are both in agreement in that, as were those around us. We’re also in agreement that we’ll never go back there again and that the staff and security need to lighten the heck up!!!!
Written 21 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
relaxingbelfast
Belfast, UK210 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Bootleg beatles 😂.... Alright they done a good job singing...... You couldn't say anything about that but.......
Here's the big but......
The row in front of me was told to be quite.... Serous like it's a show not a funeral 🙄...
The band said take videos... photos if you want 😂😂 I stood in the middle of the concert not blocking anyones view... Then I was told to go sit down... 😳 Really like 😲 a grown woman 55 being told to go sit down 🤔 oh and don't expect a drink.... They weren't serving until 8.45......plus my husband and I where not allowed in the doors... Until the 1st song was over
Would I go see them again.... No
Would I recmend this group... No sadly they need to get a grip...
They are not the beatles 🙄 wise up
P. S don't stand up.. Don't talk.. Don't drink..don't breath too loud... You will be told to sit and be quite
Our opinion... I won't be booking this place again 😡 our hard earned money will be spent on some thing we can enjoy.. There's better going on in Belfast!!!
Here's the big but......
The row in front of me was told to be quite.... Serous like it's a show not a funeral 🙄...
The band said take videos... photos if you want 😂😂 I stood in the middle of the concert not blocking anyones view... Then I was told to go sit down... 😳 Really like 😲 a grown woman 55 being told to go sit down 🤔 oh and don't expect a drink.... They weren't serving until 8.45......plus my husband and I where not allowed in the doors... Until the 1st song was over
Would I go see them again.... No
Would I recmend this group... No sadly they need to get a grip...
They are not the beatles 🙄 wise up
P. S don't stand up.. Don't talk.. Don't drink..don't breath too loud... You will be told to sit and be quite
Our opinion... I won't be booking this place again 😡 our hard earned money will be spent on some thing we can enjoy.. There's better going on in Belfast!!!
Written 23 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debbie L
Belfast, UK1 contribution
Sep 2023 • Friends
Went to see the show with friends, fist half was good, I could listen to Robbie Capaldi telling ghost stories all day and Courtney Winston was very funny. I don't know the name of the female lead but she ruined the show, a lot of over acting and I found her voice grating. To be honest we would have left but we were in the third row and it would have been very obvious.
Written 10 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jessica M
Belfast, UK1 contribution
Apr 2023 • Couples
Staff were so friendly and helpful! Especially Jackie working the door she was so accommodating and lovely!
Written 12 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
leonie
4 contributions
Apr 2023 • Family
We attended mimi Webb concert on 6th April, the staff were absolutely fantastic, friendly and full of humour. They were so accommodating to our needs special shout to Tómas, Janet & Siobhan, an absolute credit to the team 💕
Written 7 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
factual5
United Kingdom118 contributions
Dec 2022 • Solo
I only recently spent enough time in the hall to give a good overall assessment of the refurbishment and how it's used today.
I spent countless occasions in the 80s & 90s and then a few in the 2000s at various kinds of events from house music & rock music to symphonies (and also performed in the venue many times when young in various youth / amateur / school orchestras). I've heard The Orb and The Smiths etc here and for example every Beethoven symphony, most of them numerous times. I attended much pop, rock, house, classical music & opera over years in many venues all over the UK, giving me a base to review the hall generally as an overall concert venue.
Whilst the place always needed a bar, it's sad to lose the old Group Theatre completely. I'm sure there are people in Belfast who think this little space could be made to convert between a bar and a little performance space. That size of little concert, play, comedy performance space would be popular in the city centre, even if at different times to the main hall, say 6pm to 7pm and perhaps later on after main hall concerts end.
The group space bar is functional, just about. The high tables seem to be a poor idea. It seems the space ought to provide more seats, still with some general propping space. Even if it isn't so many, the lucky few who find a seat might as well have a bit of comfort. I know there are enough people at amplified concerts who'd prefer a drink & chat during support acts, who ought to have a decent seat & little table. Ticket prices are high these days, but then...
Bar prices are extortionately high. BEFORE the cost of living & fuel crises when pub prices were forced up generally, I foolishly paid, it worked out, nearly £9.50 a pint here!
No draft beer so it's £5.50 per 330cl Moretti tins, the same £1 each tins in Tesco multipacks. I usually don't get into "mark-ups" territory - but what?? Especially as the wholesale price make those tins probably under 50p each. Under 50p to £5.50 with no beer storage or pouring equipment involved. During one concert, just over 3 hours, I'd 6 little tins = 1.98l = 3.5pts costing £33 or approx £9.50 per pint. I wasn't choosing premium or 'speciality' beer over other beer. It was the cheapest available.
Refurbishment & sound.
The hall looks very good inside, as it always did. The white & light colour scheme suits it. Weren't there original, stained glass windows in iron surrounds which were removed wholesale? Was that really necessary? I understand the window space should be soundproofed but I remember back in the 80s and 90s concluding that triple or even perhaps quad glazing could fit outside of the original, heritage windows.
The wooden balcony surround from the late 20th century has gone, replaced by similes of the original patterned, wrought iron, which might have hurt the unamplified acoustic. Also I also see no indication of refurbishment attention to the unamplified, natural acoustic of the hall.
I remember the acoustic for classical orchestra as better than it is currently but it always was a bit of a changeable hall in that way, I think. I've sat in different places this year and in places the stalls can be underwhelming for what I associated with the Ulster Hall. Up at the back of the balcony, back row head onto the stage the unamplified acoustic is very good. Perhaps not quite as good as I think I remember, but I don't know if that's me or not!
From two concerts attended, the amplified sound is somewhere between not good and really bad. I've only experienced it in balcony seats. At a Harry Cambridge Luther Vandross tribute concert this year, the sound was poor and downright sore in the ears, not far off real acoustic trauma. At Paul Weller this year, an angry rock concert rather than soul-pop mostly, everything was hazy and just a dense, mixed up effect of amps and speakers doing something badly, not quite sure what. It was like a bad student union in 1978 which would have no high paying punters' expectations!
OK, that's probably not so uncommon these days in many venues for amplified sound, but here a lot of attention ought to go in. The performers have tried to protect their throats and their instruments are typically expensive or very. The people are paying high prices and deserve good sound quality. This is the flagship concert hall for Northern Ireland for large scale performances which aren't huge or stadium sized (smaller than SEE & Waterfront).
Forgetting about balcony seat pitch, probably the worst a venue can get away with (when it was OK, certainly, prior to refurbishment and the balcony seats back then surprisingly comfortable for the quite tight space), there are ridiculous, risen wooden blocks at the end of each level's floor. They mean that the ends of your feet can't find themelves over air space. I think that this can make the levels unsafe for walking in, particularly when trying to get past audience members standing up for you. Certainly it makes everything very difficult. Though concerts can be three hours, the seat room I experienced last week is definitely significantly worse than the worse budget airlines. (While perhaps that was slightly worse than other balcony seats I was in this year.)
It was always discussed that the hall's available space in the balcony for three levels of seats is not great and would always be a challenge in the event of any renovation. It was said years ago that the clearly acceptable seating in the old days might well be lost in a bad refurb. That has happened.
I don't think the balcony refurb has been successful, while again that task will always present a real challenge. I don't think that the original, wooden pews should have been lost. They worked well enough and what is there now in their place is definitely worse. It's certainly not easier currently to get through even an unoccupied row, and, although tight, I didn't think it was could actually be into the dangerous to do so with the old pews. It felt safe enough.
For safety regarding drinks and anything else concert goers carry actually, there ought to be a perspex style or other surround at least to the bottom of the iron balcony surround.
Finally regarding the downstairs refurb, it doesn't look like a great idea that the stalls extend right to against the wall on both sides (so that those seated right up to the wall ends must get in and out from the centre).
The Ulster Hall is a lovely old, typically British - European Victorian concert hall in the typical horse-shoe design with pipe organ, familiar of so many halls from the era. It has a rich history of culture of every type and the society of Belfast and Northern Ireland from all walks of life.
You can enjoy acoustic music very well here, while I wouldn't be certain to be able to say that currently about the amplified sound set-up, which is a shame.
Downstairs will generally be fine for any concert goers while upstairs is roughly functional enough after refurbishment, the best I can say there.
The refreshments situation, especially for those struggling to afford the ticket prices to enjoy a good time out, is ridiculous.
I spent countless occasions in the 80s & 90s and then a few in the 2000s at various kinds of events from house music & rock music to symphonies (and also performed in the venue many times when young in various youth / amateur / school orchestras). I've heard The Orb and The Smiths etc here and for example every Beethoven symphony, most of them numerous times. I attended much pop, rock, house, classical music & opera over years in many venues all over the UK, giving me a base to review the hall generally as an overall concert venue.
Whilst the place always needed a bar, it's sad to lose the old Group Theatre completely. I'm sure there are people in Belfast who think this little space could be made to convert between a bar and a little performance space. That size of little concert, play, comedy performance space would be popular in the city centre, even if at different times to the main hall, say 6pm to 7pm and perhaps later on after main hall concerts end.
The group space bar is functional, just about. The high tables seem to be a poor idea. It seems the space ought to provide more seats, still with some general propping space. Even if it isn't so many, the lucky few who find a seat might as well have a bit of comfort. I know there are enough people at amplified concerts who'd prefer a drink & chat during support acts, who ought to have a decent seat & little table. Ticket prices are high these days, but then...
Bar prices are extortionately high. BEFORE the cost of living & fuel crises when pub prices were forced up generally, I foolishly paid, it worked out, nearly £9.50 a pint here!
No draft beer so it's £5.50 per 330cl Moretti tins, the same £1 each tins in Tesco multipacks. I usually don't get into "mark-ups" territory - but what?? Especially as the wholesale price make those tins probably under 50p each. Under 50p to £5.50 with no beer storage or pouring equipment involved. During one concert, just over 3 hours, I'd 6 little tins = 1.98l = 3.5pts costing £33 or approx £9.50 per pint. I wasn't choosing premium or 'speciality' beer over other beer. It was the cheapest available.
Refurbishment & sound.
The hall looks very good inside, as it always did. The white & light colour scheme suits it. Weren't there original, stained glass windows in iron surrounds which were removed wholesale? Was that really necessary? I understand the window space should be soundproofed but I remember back in the 80s and 90s concluding that triple or even perhaps quad glazing could fit outside of the original, heritage windows.
The wooden balcony surround from the late 20th century has gone, replaced by similes of the original patterned, wrought iron, which might have hurt the unamplified acoustic. Also I also see no indication of refurbishment attention to the unamplified, natural acoustic of the hall.
I remember the acoustic for classical orchestra as better than it is currently but it always was a bit of a changeable hall in that way, I think. I've sat in different places this year and in places the stalls can be underwhelming for what I associated with the Ulster Hall. Up at the back of the balcony, back row head onto the stage the unamplified acoustic is very good. Perhaps not quite as good as I think I remember, but I don't know if that's me or not!
From two concerts attended, the amplified sound is somewhere between not good and really bad. I've only experienced it in balcony seats. At a Harry Cambridge Luther Vandross tribute concert this year, the sound was poor and downright sore in the ears, not far off real acoustic trauma. At Paul Weller this year, an angry rock concert rather than soul-pop mostly, everything was hazy and just a dense, mixed up effect of amps and speakers doing something badly, not quite sure what. It was like a bad student union in 1978 which would have no high paying punters' expectations!
OK, that's probably not so uncommon these days in many venues for amplified sound, but here a lot of attention ought to go in. The performers have tried to protect their throats and their instruments are typically expensive or very. The people are paying high prices and deserve good sound quality. This is the flagship concert hall for Northern Ireland for large scale performances which aren't huge or stadium sized (smaller than SEE & Waterfront).
Forgetting about balcony seat pitch, probably the worst a venue can get away with (when it was OK, certainly, prior to refurbishment and the balcony seats back then surprisingly comfortable for the quite tight space), there are ridiculous, risen wooden blocks at the end of each level's floor. They mean that the ends of your feet can't find themelves over air space. I think that this can make the levels unsafe for walking in, particularly when trying to get past audience members standing up for you. Certainly it makes everything very difficult. Though concerts can be three hours, the seat room I experienced last week is definitely significantly worse than the worse budget airlines. (While perhaps that was slightly worse than other balcony seats I was in this year.)
It was always discussed that the hall's available space in the balcony for three levels of seats is not great and would always be a challenge in the event of any renovation. It was said years ago that the clearly acceptable seating in the old days might well be lost in a bad refurb. That has happened.
I don't think the balcony refurb has been successful, while again that task will always present a real challenge. I don't think that the original, wooden pews should have been lost. They worked well enough and what is there now in their place is definitely worse. It's certainly not easier currently to get through even an unoccupied row, and, although tight, I didn't think it was could actually be into the dangerous to do so with the old pews. It felt safe enough.
For safety regarding drinks and anything else concert goers carry actually, there ought to be a perspex style or other surround at least to the bottom of the iron balcony surround.
Finally regarding the downstairs refurb, it doesn't look like a great idea that the stalls extend right to against the wall on both sides (so that those seated right up to the wall ends must get in and out from the centre).
The Ulster Hall is a lovely old, typically British - European Victorian concert hall in the typical horse-shoe design with pipe organ, familiar of so many halls from the era. It has a rich history of culture of every type and the society of Belfast and Northern Ireland from all walks of life.
You can enjoy acoustic music very well here, while I wouldn't be certain to be able to say that currently about the amplified sound set-up, which is a shame.
Downstairs will generally be fine for any concert goers while upstairs is roughly functional enough after refurbishment, the best I can say there.
The refreshments situation, especially for those struggling to afford the ticket prices to enjoy a good time out, is ridiculous.
Written 19 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Donna Y
4 contributions
Dec 2022 • Friends
By letting people pay 4 drinks in cash also ground floor Bar open so as u don't have 2 walk up all those stairs close the doors as its really cold
Written 12 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kat
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK677 contributions
Jul 2022
Recently went to the Ulster Hall for an Abba Waterloo story evening and we had a great time. My only gripe is that when we arrived the bar downstairs was closed and we had to go upstairs. Lids are removed from bottles for 'health and safety' yet we where allowed to go back downstairs with drinks in our hands which to me seemed quite unsafe.
The open bottles also led to a lot of spillages. Two people in my close proximity's drinks went everywhere and the floor became really slippy.
The open bottles also led to a lot of spillages. Two people in my close proximity's drinks went everywhere and the floor became really slippy.
Written 21 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DebTheGerman
Northern Ireland70 contributions
Regarding the balcony seats, are they side-on so that you have to turn your neck to see the stage?
Thanks!
Drew213
Bristol, UK724 contributions
Seeing a gig here next year, never been before. There are two types of tickets, downstairs standing or upstairs sitting. I keep changing my mind. Not sure which would be better, can anyone help me make my mind up?!
FairyIreland
Ireland36 contributions
Definitely depends on the gig. We sat upstairs, as it was an orchestra; if you're seeing a lively band however, & like to dance, then you'll be downstairs!
It's really very beautiful inside. Enjoy!
Quest243224
2 contributions
Is there a dress code for concerts
johnchilles
Greater London, UK22 contributions
Smart casual is usual but for the Classics it is best to ask when booking.
Will sitting upstairs at black stone cherry next week. Are you able to bring drinks back to your seats?
johnchilles
Greater London, UK22 contributions
Yes, you should be allowed to take your drinks back to your seats.
Have a nice break
Heather Lawless
Lurgan, UK95 contributions
Planning to get the last train home to Lurgan next Tuesday which is at 11pm from Great Victoria Street. Does anyone know is there a set time that concerts in the Ulster Hall have to finish? Many Thanks
Waterfront Hall
Belfast, UK
Hi Heather, Please see timings below for Deacon Blue on Tuesday 13th November:
Doors 7pm
Support Act 7.30pm
Deacon Blue 8.30pm
Finish 10.30pm
Please note timings are approx. and subject to change.
Kind Regards
Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Hall Team
angeltobe
Belfast, UK250 contributions
Can you see well from all balcony seats? Any better than others
MartinWidnes
Widnes, UK44 contributions
The view from the balcony looks great but I don't think the atmosphere up there would be as good as downstairs. I did not use the balcony area though. Also the only bar that was open was in the downstairs entrance area. Hope this helps.
StaceyDownDown
County Down15 contributions
Pre drinks tickets - What is included in the pre-drinks tickets listed as 5-6pm?
Mo_DaW171
Belfast, UK667 contributions
The Ulster Hall have a catering arrangement with Amadeus and they provide Savoury and Sweet snacks before performances
Joe M
Northern Ireland, UK31 contributions
Hi where's the best place to park pm . Any good restaurants near . Going to the Phil coulter concert.
dopeyhopey
England510 contributions
Dear Joe,
As I said in my review, we walked to the Hall from our hotel, so I did not personally experience any of the car parks. But the internet quotes several National Car Parks in the area. We ate at the Crown Liquor Saloon (Irish Stew, very good) We also ate at a fish restaurant (Deane's) also very good. Both very near to the Ulster Hall.
I hope you enjoy Belfast as much as we did.
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Claim your listingULSTER HALL: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Ulster Hall
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