If you are looking for a casual night out with a few friends, an energetic birthday party venue, or a full-fledged hen or stag weekend pub crawl, then Belfast is the perfect location for your occasion. With dozens of diverse venues within walking (or stumbling!) distance of the town centre, a lively night life, and plenty of high-quality eating establishments, this small northern city has something to offer every party and excursion. You may even find somewhere so perfect that you won't even have to worry about extra party supplies; just sit back and enjoy the compliments on a good night had by all.

When it comes to arranging travel, Belfast (and consequently the rest of Northern Ireland) is accessible by ferry from both Scotland and England, and flights arrive regularly at Belfast International Airport from as far afield as Vancouver on the west coast of Canada. It's possible to bring cars and bikes over on the ferry from the United Kingdom, so provided you're not partial to flying hot air balloons, you can have the comfort of your own vehicle while visiting Northern Ireland. There are also plenty more travel options that terminate at Dublin, and transfers between the Irish capital and Belfast are smooth and easy.

All of the usual high street stores are available in Belfast, so if you need to pick up hen night accessories for your upcoming party, or, if the season is right, a Christmas cracker or two, it can all be done here. If you run out of time to find that perfect party outfit before you leave home, you may well strike it lucky in one of the several local shopping centres.

If you are having a difficult time picking a venue in advance, it's quite likely that a stroll down the street with your pals will unearth a gem or two that you never even considered. If you don't enjoy the kind of intense electronica club that attracts the kind of patrons who wear enough make-up to glow in the dark, there are more than a few cosy pubs, restaurants and bars that will be pleased to accommodate your evening's needs. Enjoy your stay!