Went for paddy's day. Waited in the queue for ages with bouncers looking at all of us in our jerseys and never said anything, whn doors opened I had a woman and a man turn to me and said my jersey was questionable and I wasn't to be let in. I was wearing a jersey that had a Palestine flag and an Irish flag across the chest. Prior to all this I had messages the limelight instagram account and was told that anything with a political message or something that could offend someone more than likely was gonna be turned away. So we had went and bought New Jersey's for this reason. I had paid for my ticket and was refused entry over a top that had 2 flags on it, nothing offensive or political at all. I even turned it inside out and got laughed at and felt belittled when they said I still wasn't going to be let In. It was st Patrick's day, everyone was going to be in jerseys, i know I wasn't the only one with a jersey on that had nothing bad to it, and still got refused. The bouncers are and always have been too concerned about small things and rather than actually doing their job they belittle others. very disappointing, very annoyed. Please be aware of the bouncers egos and how rude they can be, absolutely disgusting. read more

The Limelight, eh...? It's where it all started for me. Sneaking in, trying to look over 18, failing miserably and having to wait until I was actually 18 to fully enjoy the place! It's a bit of everything: it's a great live venue, in which I've seen more bands than I'd care to remember, but it's worth mentioning that you'll get touring acts from all over the place as well as lots of performances from local bands, which I'm a big fan of. It's slightly grimy, yes, but that fits with the charavter of the place. It's not meant to be shiny and spotless. It's meant to be a little bit dirty! Lots of drinks offers make it a great place to go for a cheap night out as well. Although, I should warn you that the crowd is young. I remember even feeling old in my last year in uni! For that reason, i still go for gigs every now and then, but as a club, I'm more likely to be found next door in Katy's enjoying a quiet pint. Good God, I may as well just invest in a pipe and slippers and be done with it... read more

The Limelight - Music Venues Near Me - Belfast, BFS

Always lots of stuff going on here. More and more small name and big name artists playing this place. I love that there are several venues in one here ;there's Katy's bar,beer garden,limelight 1 and also 2. Good there's a cloak room. In limelight one and two. Wick there never seems to be any air conditioning in the smaller gig venues can never remember if it is 1 or 2. And the floor is also super slippy in there. read more

The Limelight - Showhawk duo - Music Venues Near Me - Belfast, BFS

Limelight is slipping down the slippery slope. Still the odd good night and it does host some fantastic gigs...But...this is no longer Belfast's rock bar- it markets more towards a mainstream crowd, some of the bar staff are particulary poor, and the door staff have lost any bit of personality they once had. Sorry Limelight, we had some great nights, and it was good while it lasted, but I think we should spend some time apart... read more

Weirdly I've never actually reviewed the Limelight before, I have been here on a few nights out in the past but my memory is slightly hazy, not sure why. Anyway, last night I had the pleasure of attending the 'secret' Two Door Cinema Club gig at The Limelight and as a music venue it is absolutely flawless. Firstly it's close to the City Centre meaning that if you don't want to grab a drink at the Limelight Bar pre gig there our plenty of other options within walking distance. I was impressed with the way the doors were operated, sometimes at gigs there's a bit of confusion but The Limelight had three or four members of staff at the doors searching for ticket booking and applying wrist band, this made the whole entry process seamless. Once inside you have your choice of bars, there's the small back bar facing the stage on the platform or the long bar to the right of the stage. The bar serves at least five different types of draft beer including Heverlee, Clonmel and Becks and stocks all sorts of other drinks. A pint will set you back just over £4 depending on what you're having and if you're at a gig you'll most likely have to drink it out of a plastic glass but in comparison to other venues this isn't actually too steep. Service at the bar is fantastic - considering this was busy gig I didn't have to wait more than 2 minutes. There's a real intimate feel to The Limelight which makes seeing a band here a great experience. You can get nice and close to the stage or alternatively take up a pew on the platform at the back giving you a clear view of the band. The music carries beautifully in The Limelight and this must be due to the speaker set up, there's never a reverb of bass no matter where you stand. Great experience at The Limelight and a great supporter of local talent like Two Door! read more

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It's just coincidental that the point I want to make after several bar reviews happens to be about the Limelight, because sadly it happens everywhere, but I've decided to from now on consider in any bar reviews I do how the staff and bouncers treat women customers. No, I don't mean whether the bar staff flirt with us, or whether the bouncers are sexist and pervy (don't even get me started), but how they deal when women customers are sexually harassed or even assaulted. I used to work as a bouncer in a city centre nightclub - yes, really, even though I'm five two and nine stone - and the sheer horrible sexual harassment from some of the male punters to some of the females was truly depressing to watch. I have also, like (even more depressingly) 100% of my female friends and, I'm sure, many women reading this review, been groped, harassed and hassled in bars the city over since I started going to them at 18. So. Sadly many or most staff in bars did not get this. I learnt over the years that going to bouncers in the average bar and saying 'That guy just slapped me on the ass', almost always resulted in the bouncer in question either laughing at me outright and telling me to wise up, or embarrassedly muttering that the guy probably didn't mean it like I thought. So, again. I learnt over the years, rather than saying to a bouncer, 'That guy just grabbed my ass', to be upfront and demand, 'What's your policy on sexual assault?' Because they really can't laugh at that, and if they do, well, it can be taken further. Which brings me to the Limelight. It's part of Katy Daly's, my favourite bar, so I expected the bouncers and staff there to understand that women customers are there as customers and not porn stars. And they did. When I was grabbed one night in the bar - not just groped, but actually assaulted - I asked the bouncer what the policy was on sexual assault, and he was rightly shocked and threw the guy in question out. So fair play to the Limelight for having clued up staff and bouncers that do look out for women, or at least respond to complaints properly and take appropriate action. However, brilliant gig venue and club as it is, it really needs to get rid of that crap and tacky backdrop on the stage on Saturday nights, with the writhing and boobly-enhanced woman gyrating in silhouette, for hours, through all the songs. Yeah, that really makes us girlie punters feel like the bar's designed for us too. Cheers. The Limelight's customers are at least 50% female, and it's a supposedly alternative and indie club, so I was quite saddened to see this and am sure it wouldn't have happened in my student days - in fact, I would have thought the Limelight was one of the last bars to do something as tacky and pathetic as that. Way to make us feel welcome, promo guys. Lose two stars. read more

I have been to this place more times than I remember, be it for gigs or to go out on a Tuesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday night and most nights, from what i remember were a great night out! Recently in the last month I have visited this bar/club a few times, once for a night out and twice for gigs. For a gig venue is pretty good especially with the new extension, there is so much more room with doesn't make the place turn into a sweat box as fast. The space allows for a gig to feel intimate which is nice especially now, when you have to fight through the crowds just to get a glance at the band. The drink here is also quite reasonable and have decent offers on. The music tends to be a mixed bag to suits all ears and the crowd I would say are fairly mixed also which is really nice to see! read more

Despite being only a third of the 'complex', the Limelight seems to be the one people always refer to when they say they are going for a night out. This would probably have something to do with the eclectic mix of rock and pop, the drink offers and the general shenanigans that you can have in this club. With a door tax of £3 the place is perfect for a bit of a dance or a bit of craic. The thing I like best about the Limelight is that everyone is there to have a bit of fun. You don't get any fighting and coming away from it people usually have a good night. It can get quite busy which would squeeze you onto the dance floor but with a bit of a posse, you can have a well-deserved night's craic. read more

The Limelight - Music Venues Near Me - Belfast, BFS

ahh the sweat box, I mean limelight! It's where we all started and some of us still go!(ahem) Its a really great bar/club where the rock and indie kids and those with fake ID's come en masse! The place is really dark, really warm and really good! The music is great and at times you'd mistake it for a mosh pit but its a fab change from the pretentious pretty boy clubs such as the box or Millie heaven at m-club. Everyone here is chilled, laid back and out for a good time in jeans and trainers! They often have great live bands and its part of three bars including Katy Daly's and Spring and Airbrake-kind of a rock trio. Certainly worth a visit! Love it! read more

The Limelight - Music Venues Near Me - Belfast, BFS

Limelight is definitely one of my favourite bars in Belfast! Always have a fantastic night out and the bouncers and staff are very friendly and do a fantastic job! Would definitely recommend the Limelight to everyone! :-) read more

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The limelight has a real dark, dank, basement feel to it - everything seems to be painted black. It's a main venue in Belfast for rock and indie bands. It has a very young clientele and might feel a bit scary if you didn't know what you were in for - some evenings there is a large gothic feel to the place with lots of black eyeliner on everyone. On other nights it attracts the indie crowd or rockers! The booze is cheap and the atmosphere is loud and young. The stage is reasonably sized with the dance floor, stage and seating area practically merging into one. This is not a huge venue so expect to be stood on and shoved about a bit on the main dance floor - it's a bit of an anything goes type of club - in no way classy or sheik - feel free to dress in whatever way you want and get as wasted as you want - everyone else will be! read more

The Limelight - Music Venues Near Me - Belfast, BFS

The Limelight is a place where I had many vivid memories. The music here serves to the more rock/alternative crowd which should suit me, but to be honest it leaves me rather cold feeling most mof the time. The music is frankly a tired rehash of the same Foo Fighters/Nirvana/Nu Metal era hits regurgitated time and time again. The atmosphere is usually good enough here and the place is always packed but I think this is more because of the type of people who go here rather than the quality of the place. The school disco night also gets held here and one night brought vivid memories. Long story short, I got thrown out for the only time ever in my going out history for basically getting in the way of a bouncer who was kicking the **** out of a reveller. All I did was stand in their way but this went down very badly .I tried to escape their clutches, and according to an on looking friend I was like the greased up guy from family guy as I managed to evade the grasp of two bouncers who kept going for me, but the next thing I could recall I landed on the ground outside in the rain with my girlfriend and friends in there for the rest of the night. Bad times! So beware the place and its temperamental bouncers! read more

Ah, the good old Limelight. Many's a mental night has been spent down here and it's rightfully attained a legendary reputation. I know that it's going into administration soon so hopefully whoever buys it over has the good sense to try and continue with what makes this place unique. If not, then we've lost one of the original and last bastions of the indie/alternative scene. Anyway, if you've never been or haven't been in years then, like myself, I suggest we stop talking and reminiscing about it and actually go pay it a visit. Before we know it'll be gone and everyone will be moaning "if only we'd someplace like the Limelight to go". One last blast folks? Pros: Great vibe, friendly staff. Cons: Soon to close? read more

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I remember sneaking in here for a friends gig once when I was underaged...ridiculously underage....I think I was fourteen but I was swiftly caught and removed from the premises. Since it became legal I have ventured now and again back here a couple of times...In my student days I went but didn't enjoy it at all...I think it needs to pull its boots up a bit and become a little better all round. Yeah there are people that are die hard fans but I think they just ignore the fact that its a little dingy.... I remember hearing rumors that Oasis once played here.... can anyone confirm of deny that??? read more

How has no-one reviewed the Limers yet?? It's a Belfast INSTITUTION!! It's the kind of place where you can be who or what you want and no-one really cares. Music depends on the night, but always amazing. You can't beat Stella and shots for £1.50. One of the best spots in Belfast, even for us who are past our student days. It's a real mix of ages, people and backgrounds. Just fecking brilliant! read more

One of Belfast's few alternative venues, this place tries to cater for indie loving students and seasoned rockers alike. Tuesday nights are student nights : beware a massive queue, and the possibility of queuing for ages & not getting in. On Friday nights the big TV screens show weird and wonderful clips, along with an eclectic mix of 90s britpop, new indie and a smattering of classic rock. Saturday's tend to be a bit more 'heavy' I've found, no screens, more rock. Whatever night you go there's always a good range of music, and a good bunch of folk, all jostling for space on the crowded & sticky dancefloor! read more

The Limelight has its on and off days. The music usually has to be to your taste (luckily its mine), as it is mostly indie, rock and occasionally they pop the odd cheesy tune in there. It attracts a lot of gothic folk but the majority is a good mix and usually everyone is made welcome! They do a lot of good drinks offers, with spirits and mixers and certain other drinks such as beer and shots being £1.50 usually. However the bouncers are usually hit and miss, with them usually being incredibly rude, ignorant, pigheaded, disgusting, vile, ... but that's just my opinion. Just watch out your ID doesn't say you're from 'Derry' and you pronounce H correctly Just my review of the place! read more

I practically lived in this place during my student days, and went again with friends a few weeks for the first time in ages. This place is still great - just wish i was young enough to justify going a few times a week lol Its quite dark inside, and its not really the sort of place to just sit and have a drink. You need to get up and dance away, which given the fantastic music isn't that hard to do. The place is always packed so its a nightmare getting to bar, order a few drinks at once to save yourself the hassle. I drove past the other week on my way out of town and the queue was horrendous. This was at 9pm on a tuesday night so don't know what was on but no way would i have the patience to stand for that long in the freezing cold to get in! read more

Worst night of my life! Will never be back again, would rather spend my money on something else, honestly! Staff were ignorant, cheeky and judgemental. Finally got to speak to the manager for advice, but apparently I was wasting his time (swear words were included every time he spoke). So to sum everything up; limelight is a complete joke of a club or a bar and is a total waste of money! read more

Absolutely awful night. Music being played was 'meh' mostly but sounded horribly distorted, DJs must not know about clipping. Pretty good light show to be fair, also had some pyrotechnic stuff, confetti machines and beach balls. There are some inflatables hanging from the roof that appear to have dead flies in them. Spent so long in line waiting to get to the bar I ended up being sober the reset of the night. A lot of the people who got in were significantly underage even though they ask for two forms of ID. I noticed a few people accurately referring to it by text as something that rhymes with limelight... If you get sick of the music, you can go to the side bar for some different music. Won't be back. read more

Wouldn't set foot in the place again. Refused to sort out an online booking issue. Staff diddnt want to listen.

Just got home after a week-end to Belfast. We decided to spent the evening at the Limelights and man ! we weren't disappointed. The club/bar is great, the music is awesome, we had lots of fun. The drinks weren't too expensive and they had great deals. read more

The Limelight is a club situated close to the city centre, suited towards the more alternative end of the musical spectrum. It is relatively small and can get very warm in the summer, but generally you are sure to have a good time any night you go. The Limelight is one of the places I used to go a lot when I was younger. It was great for me because it was not over priced and was suited to the kind of music I was into at the time. The best night to try the Limelight would be on a Tuesday when all three connected bars and clubs, the Limelight, Spring and Airbrake and Katy Daly's, open up to create a great venue. Taking a trip from one side to the other you can enjoy a wide eclectic range of music, from Heavy Metal to Dance. read more

The Limelight is where I spent most of my teenage years and often where I end up more than not on a Friday night these days as well. The music is alternative, playing all the recent and classic rock hits. It's pretty much a big sweaty hall with a stage. There are frequent drinks offers, most notably all drinks for a pound on a Friday night. It has gotten a little quieter of late which is a pity, the place provides a fantastic night out and there's rarely any trouble in the place. The staff can be a little rude but I can understand from working in a busy bar for a few years myself! There are regular gigs held here featuring great local talent as well as some big bands from across the pond. read more

It's been a decade since I first stepped in through the heavy black doors of the Limelight, Belfast. It was 2000 and I had decided it was time, fake ID in hand to make my way to the city and see a few bands, plus sample a few alcoholic beverages along the way. In my early student days, Tuesday nights were always Limelight Tuesdays. Sweaty, raucous and bulging they were always a night worth talking about. My relationship then changed as I landed a part-time job working there. The staff are fantastic and I'm still reeling about leaving, it was one of the best jobs I've had (if only it paid better I'd probably still be there now) The Limelight was the epi-centre of the alternative music scene however most of the larger acts now play in the Spring next door. It's part of Belfast and it's a shame they've gone bust. Hopefully someone other than one of the Belfast conglomerates will take it over and continue its long, proud history. I now live 100metres from the Limelight complex and still think of it as home. read more

The limelight is an awesome, albeit small music venue, which has brought some big bands into the country. Its also the place to be on Shag student night on a tuesday, where it plays rock and indie anthems to dance away to. The only bad thing about the place is it gets very crowded and therefore toilet queues can be long and it takes a while to get served at the bar. Great place for a night out though and as it is more suited to the alternative crowd there is no dress code. Friendly bouncers and bar staff and friendly people as well as good drinks promotions and also safe cloakrooms to leave your bags in to prevent them getting stolen. Defintely best on a Tuesday and Saturday night, read more

This is a nice small venue which is very popular with many students and older people alike. A good alternative to the cheesy clubs. The bar does get very busy at times. read more

This is a decent venue in a city lacking such cultural treats. It is very popular with the student scene and if you are in a band then this is a must f you want to make an impact on the Belfast music scene. I have had many good nights out here and I have always found the crowd to be good fun, though the bouncers are generally far from pleasant. read more

Staff were disgusting, drinks are over priced, the music was terrible and the atmosphere was awful

The Limelight is, in my opinion one of the best night spots in Belfast. The music is alternative, the atmosphere is electric and the place is small, sweaty and exciting. Tuesday nights offer the slightly edgier student a mixture of cheesy pop, indie and rock spread across the three parts. The weekend offers those who for whatever reason do not want to hear Justin Bieber and Beyonce a safe haven of good music and a lack of pretension. Whilst next door in Spring and Airbrake live gigs take place almost every week. In a city that, for me, lacks good clubs, the Limelight is an oasis for good music and friendly people. What it lacks in size boy does it make up for in personality. read more

This place is brutal...has barely changed since i first went over 20 years ago. But thats all good!