The Empire
The Empire Music Hall is a live music venue in a busy area of Belfast. The Empire,which was once a church is located beside Botanic Railway station.
The bottom bar serves great value food and, at night, becomes a hive of activity for beer connoisseurs. During universtity term time (September - June), Belfast\'s longest running comedy club attracts top acts attempting to win over one of the toughest audiences on the circuit.
You can also find a range of other live acts at the Empire, so check the website for a list of upcomming dates.
The bar downstairs is a good spot for a quite pint during the day and you can catch the next train home!
Information and Contact Details
| Web Site | http://www.thebelfastempire.com/ | |
| Category | Traditional Bar | |
| Address | The Empire Bar | |
| 42 Botanic Avenue | ||
| Belfast | ||
| BT7 1JQ | ||
| Phone Number | +4428 90328110 | |
| Disabled Facilities | "Our staff are delighted to provide special assistance to anyone who may require it." |
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Customer Comments and Reviews of The Empire
There now follows 31 other reviews of The Empire. You can also add a review yourself.
i agree with some other people please if u own the empire have a word with the bounchers they make you feel your walkin through customs with 45000 fags in your case a smile and hola would be better
Submitted by jimbo on 30/11/2011
Used to be a regular, have completely stopped going. Never drink when i'm there as i'm always designated driver so am always sober....stopped going cos of the 'bouncers'...complete mongs with severe attitude problem who you'd end up getting into bother over...tried complaining once to bar manager...complete waste of time
Submitted by Mark on 22/10/2011
I really love this pub. They always have great music like blues guy on Thurs and Ken Haddock sunday band. I think the staff are very friendly. Good for a night out and i go there to watch the ireland rugby matches, luv it. Dont notice the doormen much, theres never any bother.
Submitted by John on 21/08/2011
totally agree with comments below about door staff- stand and text or facebook all night on their phones, dont even look up at you walking in, cretins. bar staff are ok but dont smile or look like they are enjoying their job in the slightest. toilets are stinking and the whole place has gone really down hill. if only ken haddock played somewhere else in beldast on a sunday night then wouldnt have to suffer the empire at all!!
Submitted on 15/08/2011
Comments on the bouncers very accurate... totally unacceptable in attitude and manners. Could not recommend a night at the Empire to anyone...
Submitted on 19/06/2011
the Empire used to be one of my favourite places. One of the few places you can actually see a rock band these days! Having said that, the true rock bands are getting thin on the ground. Now its tribute bands for all kinds of crap bands. Keep it rock!
In fact give a slot to Willie Burns (with band) or even Paul Deane band. Where can you see those guys play these days?
Glamorama on a fri night used to be good, until the 'gold chains and no brains' crowd discovered it. Last time I was there it was drunken middle aged hoods stumbling round, weighed down by Argus jewellery, annoying the life out of everyone. Bouncers of course do nothing about these halfwit 'da' types.
So sadly I gave up on those Fri nights.
So in my opinion its kinda gone to the dogs a bit.
Submitted by Belfastbred on 08/03/2011
Agree with all comments below on the doormen here having major attitudes.
Submitted by Dylan on 16/02/2011
Bouncers at the Empire are a disgrace! We visited Belfast recently for a friend's 40th birthday
Submitted by BB on 15/02/2011
glamslam smashing night
Submitted by bangor boys on 08/01/2011
it is haunted i was down stars at a gig it was the end of the night iwent to the toilets ther was no one else ther when i was leaving the bath room the doorman was leting people out the main doors this stops the toilet doors from opening in the gap in the door the doorman asked me to wate a minute i said ok and closed the cap inthe door somthing made me turn round when i did ther was a figure of a man standing behind me i got the shivers and all icould think of to say was are you ok mate he said nothing iturned back round i did not feel scared or that he was going to harm me. the figure had dark hair he was wearing ablack suit whith butons each side of his jacket i did not turn round to look again but when the door man opend the door to let me out i waited for a moment no one else left the toilets.
Submitted by /? on 15/11/2010
Went for the house band night downstairs with a crowd of friends. Great music and atmosphere, as well as some dancing and whiskey! We'll definitely be back, absolutely superb!
Submitted by Craig on 22/09/2010
WHAT A NIGHT , FRIDAYS , ONLY ONE PLACE IN TOWN LOVE ALL THAT NOSTALGIC MUSIC , AND WHEN WE WANT A BREAK WE POP DOWNSTAIRS TO WATCH THE SALSA DANCING , MY HIPS COULDN`T TAKE IT . THE STAFF ARE ALWAYS NICE AND HELPFUL AND THE DOORMEN `YUMMEEEEEEE`,THEY EVEN GOT ME A TAXI AND HELD THE DOOR OPEN FOR ME .YES I AM OVER THE HILL AND IT IS NICE TO BE TREATED WITH RESPECT AND YOU GET THAT AT THE EMPIRE ALL YOUR STAFF ARE A CREDIT . WE WILL BE BACK , COUNT ON IT .
THANKS JO
Submitted by JO on 08/03/2010
great show on saturday night i went to see the rolling clones but the band Love You Live were great had a ball. im a big stones fan.
thanks!
Submitted by becky on 21/12/2009
i understand why people like this place because its really charming, but they need to seriously sort out their bouncers. Every time I go they throw rud and vulgar comments at me even when im with my boyfriend, they are rude to everyone, ive heard manys stories of them being unnesecarily violent to people and basically i think they are scum. i would recommend you change them asap, theyre horrible x
Submitted on 28/10/2009
GIVE THE GOOD ROCK BANDS A REGUALAR SLOT THE WAY IT USED TO BE... DEFT LEPPARD, LIMEHOUSE LIZZY, WHITESNAKE UK, AND NEW BANDS LIKE BACK STREET SYMPHONY, YANKEE ROSE, THE ESSENTIAL JOURNEY, SIXTERIA......
MAKE THE EMPIRE AS GOOD AS IT USED TO BE FOR ROCK FANS.....
Submitted on 02/09/2009
The Empire has a special place in my heart because it was where my boyfriend and I had one of our first dates. Four years on from that comedy club session and we're still together and still laughing. I love that it is supposed to be haunted, I love the comedy club and I don't go as often as I should because it is a great pub
Submitted by girlabouttown on 28/04/2009
I love this place, the Sunday nights are the best in Belfast. If it weren't for the bouncers I'd give it 100%.
Submitted on 12/02/2009
Seen a band called Rockaholics and they were fantastic can,t wait until they are on again will definitely go back. Great band........
Submitted on 22/11/2008
Not a bad place if you want a hassle free, mature type crowd who arent pretentious at all. Avoid the hell that is Glam-a-Rama on a friday night as its the same old regurgitated, kitsch crap they have been playing for what seems like the last 20 years! Good craic if you get a good cover band on and downstairs is decent most of the time.
Submitted by MarkyG on 03/10/2008
Would recommend comedy nite to anyone- great night out. Empire best place to be on a Tues night. After reading comments on the doormen dont know what to expect will be watching out for the friendly one!
Submitted by Anna on 27/05/2008
Had a great Fri and Sat nite at the Empire. Food was great value for money,music were great. Staff very friendly. Hunky doormen working here Simon really really friendly lol
Submitted by louise on 23/05/2008
Great nite out. Not my usual place to go but will def be going back not for the music or food but for the hunky doorman Simon I think his name is....anyone know if he is curious???? Lots of Kisses 4 Simon
Submitted by Jason on 23/05/2008
Great place to go with friends, fantastic music and Simon the bouncer is fit as!!!!!
Submitted by Gemma on 07/05/2008
WENT TO THE EMPIRE SAT NITE TO C ROLLING CLONES. FANTASTIC !!!
BAR STAFF WERE VERY FRIENDLY AND QUICK SERVICE.
WOULD GO BACK AGAIN VERY SOON!
Submitted by fiona on 14/04/2008
Went to the Empire on Saturday night saw a band called Strictly ballroom absolutley brilliant will go again
Submitted by omani on 07/03/2008
The door staff have a major attitude problem. Can't even smoke OUTSIDE,have to go down the steps to the main street and get bothered by down and outs looking for cash. Best to go to Bar 12 the bouncers are a lot more customer orientated !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by Dave visiting Belfast on 05/02/2008
I know what you mean about the doormen. it seems they just do a bit of eenie meenie, and if they think you're gonna buy a lot of drink, you're in.
I like the jazz nights a lot, there's a touch of class
Submitted on 07/01/2008
Somebody asked if it's really haunted. I'm not sure but there are some spooktacular bands play there on frightday nights. You can start off with a bit of grub downstairs first. They do a mean ghoulash and you can finish with Iscream before going upstairs. The doormen are a bit spooky. One acts the hard man but you can see right through him.
Submitted by Glenn on 11/12/2007
great crack and good music
Submitted on 25/03/2007
i love this pub, location is good, good range of people and its always friendly, ? is it really haumted?? lol
Submitted by clare buckley on 07/02/2007
I have been watching the Italy games for World Cup 06. Great bar with friendly people and staff. Good Guiness.
Submitted by stefano on 26/06/2006
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