8 Friends Night Out Ideas in Northern Ireland That Cured My FOMO
I’m not a morning person—but every one of my friends is. THAT used to be frustrating. They wanted to include me in their hangouts—pre-work cafe runs, morning market shopping, and hiking, but it was just impossible for me to change my sleeping schedule.
But instead of keeping me out of the loop entirely, my girls didn’t give up on me. After a little compromise, we agreed to try a friends’ night out in Northern Ireland instead—it was a blast! Here are the best activities we’ve done so far.
1. Drink beer at a historic bar
Media credit: nicholsonspubs
Website: https://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/restaurants/scotlandandnorthernireland/thecrownliquorsaloonbelfast
Address: County Antrim, 46 Great Victoria St
Contact Details: +44 28 9024 3187, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 11:30 AM to 12 AM
- Sunday – 12:30 PM to 12 AM
Fees:
- £10 to 30 per person
The Crown Liquor Saloon is a historic pub perfect for a friends’ night out in Northern Ireland. It’s known for its carved mahogany booths and distinctive decor, like etched glass (with fairies, pineapples, fleur de lys or ‘lilies’, and clowns) and gas lamps.
You can grab dinner and beer upstairs or downstairs too, though many prefer the latter for its quirky interiors.
As for the grub, we say get your hands on the classic fish and chips or steak first. But if you want more beer flavour, the Guinness pie is worth a try.
| Pro tip: Bring cash to The Crown Liquor Saloon for your convenience! Some older areas of the bar occasionally have limited card service. |
2. Dance the night away at a nightclub
Media credit: limelight.belfast
Website: http://www.limelightbelfast.com/
Address: 17 Ormeau Ave
Contact Details: +44 28 9032 7007
Operating Hours:
- Monday, Wednesday to Thursday – 10 PM to 2 AM
- Friday to Saturday – 5 PM to 2 AM
- Tuesday and Sunday – Closed
Fees:
- Varies per event
Limelight is a no-frills nightclub and live music venue that has been staging rock and indie hits since the 1980s. This spot showcases many rising local bands, energetic DJs, and global artists.
No matter your music taste, you’ll likely find something to enjoy here! You’ll get rock, dance, electronic, indie, and several chart hits to ensure everyone has a great time while hitting their best moves.
| Handy hacks: We recommend checking Limelight’s lineup in advance to see if it’s going to be a typical or live gig kind of night—it can get crowded during the latter. It’s also best to arrive earlier during themed events, since this is when the club can fill up pretty quickly. |
3. Solve mysteries in an escape room
Media credit: timescapegames
Website: http://timescapegames.com/
Address: 121-125 Royal Ave
Contact Details: +44 28 9002 6028, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 10 PM
Fees:
- 2 players – £56 (£28 per person)
- 3 players – £81 (£27 per person)
- 4 players – £104 (£26 per person)
- 5 players – £125 (£25 per person)
- 6 players – £144 (£24 per person)
- 7 players – £161 (£23 per person)
If you want a real-life adventure with friends in Northern Ireland, Timescape is an escape room ideal for you and your dream team! You’ll walk into a themed world filled with puzzles, clues, and surprises.
There are plenty of options too. Notable ones include exploring the Titanic, pulling off a heist, or getting out of a haunted mansion. The experience is also fast-paced, so you’ll be thinking and moving around a lot—no space for boredom here.
| Nifty trick: After your experience at Timescape, go for post-escape drinks nearby! Royal Avenue has many coffee shops and pubs around to either celebrate your victory or laugh off your loss. |
4.Taste craft beers at a Brewery
Media credit: boundarybrewing
Website: http://www.boundarybrewing.coop/
Address: A5, PortView Trade Centre, 310 Newtownards Rd
Contact Details: +44 7745 522972, [email protected], [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday to Saturday – 12 PM to 11 PM
- Sunday – 1 PM to 7 PM
- Monday to Tuesday – Closed
Fees:
- Brewery Tour – £25 per person
Should you and your pals share the same passion for beer, Boundary Brewery is where you can take that fun interest to the next level.
This spot typically hosts taproom nights and tasting events where you can sip on the freshest pints right from the source! You can also learn about the actual brewing process, ask questions, and get tasty cans for you to take home.
| Insider scoop: Think you’ll be coming back to Boundary Brewery regularly? Consider getting a membership to get a 10% discount on all their beers! |
5. Test your bravery on a haunted tour
Media credit: hauntedtoursni
Website: http://wix.to/oJnTUC6
Location: Carrickfergus
Contact Details: [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Friday to Saturday – 9 AM to 11:30 PM
- Sunday to Thursday – Closed
Fees:
- Starts at around £8
Like scaring your friends? Haunted Tours NI lets you join a walking or taxi bus tour in Northern Ireland, where you can hear the story of the Islandmagee witches. You’ll walk in their footsteps and even get a ‘sample’ of their punishments.
Or, you can join other ghostly tours like you’re in a paranormal investigation! You’ll even have the chance to use various pieces of ghost-hunting equipment within a chilling 4-hour session.
| Expert advice: Dress warmly and wear comfy shoes to Haunted Tours NI! You’ll be walking outdoors for quite some time, so it’s best to be prepared. |
6. Watch movies at an outdoor cinema
Media credit: thesunsetcinema
Website: http://www.sunsetmovies.co.uk/
Address: Curryfree Rd, Londonderry
Contact Details: +44 28 7134 9664, 07840061068, 07761285075, [email protected]
Fees:
- Need to reach out directly
How about a movie night (but under the stars)? Sunset Cinemas provides an outdoor drive-in cinema experience for a wonderful night out in Northern Ireland.
You watch anything on a large outdoor screen! Blockbuster, cult classic, or seasonal film—you name it. Tickets are also typically sold per car, so we believe this makes it more affordable to split fees with pals.
| Something to note: Bring your own blankets and pillows to Sunset Cinemas! These can make things a lot cosier as you munch on some snacks and drinks throughout the night. |
7. Enjoy water sports
Media credit: bluegreenyonder
Website: http://bluegreenyonder.com/
Address: Water Activity Zone, Regal Pass, Enniskillen
Contact Details: +44 28 6648 0001, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 6 PM
Fees:
- Beginners Kayaking (7 PM to 8:30 PM) – starts at £16
Want to try kayaking at night? Blue Green Yonder is an outdoor adventure centre that can give you access to several water activities for a memorable time.
You can consider canoeing or paddleboarding too! And since this is located on Enniskillen’s waterways, you’ll get to bask in stunning sights during sunset.
| Smart pointer: Looking your best is cool, but wearing quick-dry clothing at Blue Green Yonder is wise if you don’t want to freeze. Bringing a spare change of clothes is also highly recommended! |
8. Savour local flavours on a food tour
Media credit: tasteandtour
Website: http://www.tasteandtour.co.uk/
Address: 62 High St
Contact Details: +44 28 9045 7723, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 5 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – Closed
Fees:
- Belfast Food Tour – £70
- Tapas Trail – £75
- Wine Wander – £75
- Gin Jaunt – £70
Taste & Tour is among the best nightlife ideas in Northern Ireland if you’ve got some tourist friends in tow. You can easily meet, eat, drink, and discover the best of Belfast in one go!
There are many options for the alcohol lovers too—think gin tastings, whiskey walks, and craft beer sessions!
And depending on the package, these tours usually take around 2 to 4 hours. It’s just enough time to let you and your buddies sample a wide variety of food.
| Must-know move: Vegetarian, vegan, or allergic to some ingredients? Make sure to inform the staff at Taste & Tour about them in advance so they can accommodate you! |