A hidden gem, the Crescent Arts Centre may look basic, but this modern venue is a great open space…read morewith everything you need to host an event. Clean, functional and accommodating, I have seen numerous events here from poetry slams to comedy improv shows. It's BYOB too, which is a great addition!

The Crescent Arts Centre is a basic but contemporary looking venue…read more It functions as a community arts centre for the people of Belfast and holds a variety of dance, music, creative writing and visual art / craft classes for all. They also push the boat out by holding a artistic participatory events, exhibitions and performances. The Crescent Arts Centre are also the curators of the City Dance Festival and Belfast's longest running literary festival - Between the Lines. I was there recently for the Trans:mission night, showcasing the best Irish electronica musicians, as part of Belfast's innovative trans festival. I was itching to see Nouveau Noise, from Dublin who play deliciously glitchy and lush electronica. The set up was very relaxed. It was a mere £5 in and BYOB. Everyone in the main room was seated round tables dotted around the venue and chatting away. On stage there were electronica acts playing some really interesting and innovative stuff with some cool visuals being projected behind them. In the middle of the night, there was a drawing competition- where two massive boards were erected each side of the stage and a 'crew' of illustrators and street artists from Dublin had to freestyle a picture, with a Dj playing in the background. It made for such an interesting night. I'm all for Arts spaces opening up their doors to gigs, like Block T in Dublin. And the bring your own booze door policy is always a winner.

There's nothing worse than long, dark, winter nights when all you do is sit at home in front of the…read moreTV. That's why evening classes are such a great idea, they are a perfect way to liven up your mid-week, learn something new, have fun and meet people. I've been attending art classes through Open Learning for the last few years which have included acrylic, watercolour and oil painting and I've loved every minute. A great way to relax, de-stress and pick up new skills. Open Learning which is based within Queen's University Belfast have been running adult day and evening classes for decades. The range of courses offered is extensive and includes art, complementary therapies, languages, computing, photography, creative writing, first aid, history, politics, music, wine tasting and philosophy plus many more options. Full course details can be found online at: http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofEducation/StudyattheSchool/OpenLearning/ Classes are taught in 10 weekly sessions starting each year in autumn, new year and spring. You need absolutely no prior qualifications or experience. It's just a case of enrol, pay a reasonable fee and turn up for class. Enrolment takes place online, by telephone, post or in person by dropping into the Open Learning Office located in 20 College Green, Belfast. There is an option to build up CAT (Credit Accumulation and Transfer) points and gain a Certificate if you wish. Or you can just do the classes for fun, as I do. I promise you will not be disappointed with these brilliant, interesting, leisure classes.

I couldn't rate Queen's University any less than 5 stars, simply because I work here. The building…read moreitself is amazing, the surrounding gardens are beautiful and very well kept. It's also very close to Botanic gardens which its nice for lunch time walks. There's so many places in and around the area to go for a coffee, breakfast or lunch and dinner or drinks, spoilt for choice.

beautiful campus Not…read moreas beautiful as Glasgow ;), but still beautiful nonetheless. In all seriousness, it's the main Uni in the North and due to that, it's very hard to get in. Most students go to uni in Liverpool or Glasgow because of that. Go on a stroll through the campus with some nice walking shoes.

Whose is a nice independent coffee shop & art gallery in Whiteabbey village. We are regulars there…read morewith my boyfriend. They serve the best coffee in the area, proper Italian Illy coffee, great aroma and proper sizes. We have tried their homemade scones and bunns the last time, also have amazing paninis and sandwiches to offer, not to mention the Morelli icecream. The view from the back of the coffee shop is spectacular, great big glass windows, often the sun is shining in, you feel like being on a summer holiday location The staff is always friendly and helpful, never seen a dirty table or unbrushed floor, tidy clean atmosphere. The pictures are great, some very cool modern art for sale. Worth to stop by if you are passing through Whiteabbey.

It's a relatively new place in the Whiteabbey village. It's spacious and very well designed, the…read morefurniture is quite post-modern style I would say. The walls are covered by paintings and drawings (for sale) - these have been made by students of a nearby art school. The coffee shop has a full size wall to wall window at the back which gives a nice view to the sea, but thankfully it keeps the noise of the busy shore road traffic out! They started at the end of the summer '15 with mainly coffees, teas and pastries, and they promised soya milk and gluten free products which they introduced lately! Their sandwiches and paninis look so delicious through the counter that good luck not having anything but a drink! My favourite is the duck and mango ciabatta with some kind of chutney and nice decorative lettuce and coleslaw on the side. It is absolutely amazing! The only reason they're not getting 5 star is because of the noise coming from the gym next door. When classes are on, you can clearly hear around 15 people jumping in the same time and this kept giving me the impression (and fear) that the ceiling won't last much longer! But it did so far! and you can sit in the back where the noise isn't disturbing. It's honestly wort it:)

Unique by name and character, this art shop is a treasury of beautiful items including paintings,…read moreillustrations, prints, photos, ceramics, jewellery, scarves, soft furnishings and gifts. Displaying distinctive pieces by established artists and students of Ulster University's Art School, where it is located, this is the place to go if you want to purchase something special. All creations on display are for sale, plus there's the option to commission bespoke artwork. Unique also run occasional art workshops and events, so it's worthwhile keeping an eye on their website/ social media accounts.