How safe is Belfast for a stag?

Puteq

Myself and a bunch of other lads are heading off to a stag this March in Belfast. However from talking to a few friends about it, i am starting to wonder how safe that would be to do? I know the 'troubles' are all over now but i get the vibe that still if you walk up the wrong street or go into the wrong pub you could get a hiding if you have the wrong accent or drunkenly yell out the wrong thing? There will be about 20 or 30 lads, mix of accents but I'm from galway myself with a good bogger accent, and what with it being a stag i would expect some drunkeness, and I just wonder is it the case that if you blurt out something inappropriate you could get hassle?

I am asking specifically about any extra problems relating to the troubled history of the North, I know that of course you can be in any city in the world and go up a wrong street, say the wrong thing, or meet the wrong person but i mean is there extra caution that should be exercised because of the fact that this is Belfast, and are there some streets/pubs that one should not go into?

My apologies if i am being ridiculous and insulting a fine city, but i am just wondering does anyone have any experience of this or any words of advice?

biko

Not a problem.
The pubs you should avoid are all outside city centre. Stick to main streets and you'll be fine (not get lost ). Don't enter Sandy Row but you'll see the flags beforehand.

Suggestions here
http://wikitravel.org/en/Belfast
http://www.belfastbar.co.uk/

B.E.S.T.

The fact that your asking the question should be reason enough not to be going to Belfast. It`s obvious you have reservations. Go somewhere that you are confident that you will not have any bother.

biko

Every southerner I brought to Belfast has been like: "But, it's so nice here. Not at all like the papers/TV".
Belfast is full of southerners and foreigners these days. Go, you'll have a great time.

Hagar

Puteq wrote: »

drunkenly yell out the wrong thing?

That can be a receipe for a hiding anywhere, just remember in Belfast a hiding might involve baseball bats and power tools.

Sleipnir

You're grand. I was up there for a stag about two years ago and had a great time. Went on a open-top bus tour up the Falls Road and all.

pow wow

Sleipnir wrote: »

You're grand. I was up there for a stag about two years ago and had a great time. Went on a open-top bus tour up the Falls Road and all.

Now if it was up the Shankill I'd say something

It'll be fine, yeah there's trouble spots, and yes you do have the added 'which side are you from' dynamic (which in reality doesn't really come up but you never know I guess) outside of the group of 20 or 30 lads trashed (like that wouldn't be asking for trouble anyway lol) but as Biko said, stay in the city and you'll be fine. :cool:

Sleipnir

meanie boots wrote: »

Now if it was up the Shankill I'd say something

Ah we went there too. Stopped for a sandwich if I remember correctly.

Puteq

B.E.S.T. wrote: »

The fact that your asking the question should be reason enough not to be going to Belfast. It`s obvious you have reservations. Go somewhere that you are confident that you will not have any bother.

I definitely wouldnt want to stay away for no good reason except my own ignorance of the place, and by the sounds of things I get the impression i was being a bit over-concerned.

as someone said, and group of 20 or 30 lads is enough of a recipie for trouble anyway LOL but the 'usual' adventures this would entail i can handle, I was just a bit worried about any extra dynamics i might not be prepared for.

So i guess its roll on Belfast for me thanks for the words everyone :-)

NeVeR

I spent 2 months there before.. Not a bother, Of course there are places you shouldnt go but they are not in the City, As all have said stay in the City and you'll be fine, The flags are a big giveaway as well.

It is a nice place, Enjoy your stag, Oh dont go around singing Irish rebal songs !! they dont like that

flanum

whats the worst that can happen?......

SCI

I live in Belfast and I would say even if you walked in what people say is "the wrong areas" you would be fine. The troubles that were in Belfast and N.I. were political and bugger all to do with tourists. I know a girl from Dublin with a very strong accent and she lives at the top of the skankill road! N. Ireland is moving on and people should help in this process.Belfast has been voted one of the top destinations in the UK for stag and hen do's and I've see loads of them every time I'm in town,I say go for it. If you look at statistics for crime against the person I think you'll find N.Ireland one of the safest places to be in Europe.

Noble Knight

biko wrote: »

Not a problem.
The pubs you should avoid are all outside city centre. Stick to main streets and you'll be fine (not get lost ). Don't enter Sandy Row but you'll see the flags beforehand.

Suggestions here
http://wikitravel.org/en/Belfast
http://www.belfastbar.co.uk/

Why are you suggesting that the working class folk of Sandy Row are bigoted to our neigbours from across the boreder.

That is a bit of a generalisation is it not? Good and bad people exsist everywhere.

biko

So it'd actually be fine for a group of Irish guys to go drinking in Loyalist Sandy Row now? Ian Paisleys home turf?

Where is best to go? The Royal Bar has some good reviews, doesn't say who did them though www.belfastbar.co.uk/the-royal-bar-review.htm

Noble Knight

biko wrote: »

So it'd actually be fine for a group of Irish guys to go drinking in Loyalist Sandy Row now? Ian Paisleys home turf?

Where is best to go? The Royal Bar has some good reviews, doesn't say who did them though www.belfastbar.co.uk/the-royal-bar-review.htm

Ian Paisleys "Home Turff" Ian Paisly lives in East Belfast. Sandy Row may be a loyalist area and I very much doubt the bars there would interest you unless perhaps you had a keen interest for Rangers FC and Northern Ireland FC. It would no be advisable to walk about with say a GAA top on in such a place.

The point I was trying to make was that I am sick to death of people making generalisations about certain areas in Belfast. I notice no one discouraged you from going up the Falls or down to New Lodge? You will find not so pleasent types there aswell.

If you are going anywhere in Belfast City for a pint try Dempsys or lafferys near shaftsbury square.

I am not ashamed of Belfast or it's people I don't like others casting up about areas and the like.

Ps Never been to the Royal Bar but if you fancy a decent pint try the Monico Bar in Belfast City centre it is near the Northern Whig (another good bar) and the Cathderal quater has some good bars.

biko

I meant that the DUP office is on Sandy Row, mind was a few years I walked down the street. It might not be there any more? I usually drink in the Empire myself. Laverys or old Kitchen bar would be favourites too. Or a few Belfast Ale in the Crown yum

Noble Knight

biko wrote: »

I meant that the DUP office is on Sandy Row, mind was a few years I walked down the street. It might not be there any more? I usually drink in the Empire myself. Laverys or old Kitchen bar would be favourites too. Or a few Belfast Ale in the Crown yum

I love the Empire espically when "Strictly no ballroom" are on.

Terrontress

Magnus wrote: »

I meant that the DUP office is on Sandy Row, mind was a few years I walked down the street. It might not be there any more? I usually drink in the Empire myself. Laverys or old Kitchen bar would be favourites too. Or a few Belfast Ale in the Crown yum

The DUP headquarters are in East Belfast, just off the Belmont Avenue. Paisley was born in Ballymena, preached in South Belfast, lives in East Belfast. I'd be surprised if he has been down to the Sandy Row that often but I'd say he has been there more than you given your total ignorance of the place. Sandy Row is full of decent, hard-working working class people who would no more bat an eyelid at a Southerner than they would anyone else.

given1

Noble Knight wrote: »

Ian Paisleys "Home Turff" Ian Paisly lives in East Belfast. Sandy Row may be a loyalist area and I very much doubt the bars there would interest you unless perhaps you had a keen interest for Rangers FC and Northern Ireland FC. It would no be advisable to walk about with say a GAA top on in such a place.

The point I was trying to make was that I am sick to death of people making generalisations about certain areas in Belfast. I notice no one discouraged you from going up the Falls or down to New Lodge? You will find not so pleasent types there aswell.

If you are going anywhere in Belfast City for a pint try Dempsys or lafferys near shaftsbury square.

I am not ashamed of Belfast or it's people I don't like others casting up about areas and the like.

Ps Never been to the Royal Bar but if you fancy a decent pint try the Monico Bar in Belfast City centre it is near the Northern Whig (another good bar) and the Cathderal quater has some good bars.

he was just giving him a friendly warning, im sure he wasnt referring to everyone in the area but personally if i was to be coming up from the south, its an area i would avoid while on the other hand the falls and new lodge would be more suitable locations (maybe not new lodge lol)

pow wow

Seachto7, this isn't After Hours. Whilst I 'assume' you were referring to the incident at Windsor Park over the weekend, not everyone would necessarily know that. I've removed the post for the avoidance of confusion.

Noble Knight

Terrontress wrote: »

The DUP headquarters are in East Belfast, just off the Belmont Avenue. Paisley was born in Ballymena, preached in South Belfast, lives in East Belfast. I'd be surprised if he has been down to the Sandy Row that often but I'd say he has been there more than you given your total ignorance of the place. Sandy Row is full of decent, hard-working working class people who would no more bat an eyelid at a Southerner than they would anyone else.

Ian Paisley lives in East Belfast. He comes from Ballymeena and North Antrim is his constinuency.

pow wow

Can everyone please try to keep the thread on topic? Anyone seeking correct information about the locations or otherwise of political offices and constituencies should be able to get it from the party websites directly.

narkymarky

meanie boots wrote: »

Can everyone please try to keep the thread on topic? Anyone seeking correct information about the locations or otherwise of political offices and constituencies should be able to get it from the party websites directly.

And so say all of us. At this stage Puteq has, hopefully, had the stag do - the 'Row' has been vilified and vindicated in almost equal measure, various city centre bars have had a free plug or two and political knowledge has been proven. A good day all round I'd say.

Puteq

by the way the good news is stag went well, belfast was a class choice of venue and we had no problems at all. we were only in the city centre but there was none of this nonsense of sides really tho the lads i was with knew the area so maybe they chose their bars wisely or maybe belfast really is a lot better than it was when i was drinking there 11 years ago.

happy days anyway i would recommend it, and thanks for the advice everyone

Milltownheart

Heading up to Belfast in 2 weeks. What pubs and clubs would you recommend? Did ye do any activity on the saturday apart from swampin pints?

Puteq

Milltownheart wrote: »

Heading up to Belfast in 2 weeks. What pubs and clubs would you recommend? Did ye do any activity on the saturday apart from swampin pints?

Well theres plenty of advice here on good spots to go to, but I wouldnt have any specific advice myself - pretty much pinting it all the way. We went to the Odyssey Bowl on the Saturday for bowling, had some tapas there which was pretty good , but other than that plenty different pubs, thes names of which escape me as i was following the lead of fellas who knew their way about town :-)

Mr Tombstone

My apologies if i am being ridiculous and insulting a fine city, but i am just wondering does anyone have any experience of this or any words of advice?[/quote]


This really annoys me,im from Belfast I live in Belfast and I love Belfast. Going out in Belfast is great crack. If there is 20 -30 lads I reckon were ever you go in the world there might be trouble. Ive felt more scared in the main streets of Dublin than I have in Belfast to be honest. If you need any advice on were to go ask and I will give you some good places.

Mr Tombstone

Milltownheart wrote: »

Heading up to Belfast in 2 weeks. What pubs and clubs would you recommend? Did ye do any activity on the saturday apart from swampin pints?

It depends what you want in a night out tell me what you want and i will provide some ideas????

regob

belfast is a great city for nightlife, just keep your night out to the city and ull be alright

Bottle_of_Smoke

Mr Tombstone wrote: »

My apologies if i am being ridiculous and insulting a fine city, but i am just wondering does anyone have any experience of this or any words of advice?

This really annoys me,im from Belfast I live in Belfast and I love Belfast. Going out in Belfast is great crack. If there is 20 -30 lads I reckon were ever you go in the world there might be trouble. Ive felt more scared in the main streets of Dublin than I have in Belfast to be honest. If you need any advice on were to go ask and I will give you some good places.

I love belfast too, but I don't think this should annoy you. It has recent serious history and for all the OP knows there could have been loyalist bars in the centre he'd be well advised to avoid.

go for it man!
Head on up. TYhere's a few of us DOnegal wans about too

Costigan

Noble Knight wrote: »

Why are you suggesting that the working class folk of Sandy Row are bigoted to our neigbours from across the boreder.

That is a bit of a generalisation is it not? Good and bad people exsist everywhere.

I'm a Belfast man born and bred and I would say most working class people from loyalist areas are bigotted to be honest with you.

Costigan

By and large it will be safe and you will have a great time but I remember a Cannaught Rugby fan got a terrible beating near one of the main strips which is unfortunately beside Sandy Row when he was getting a bite to eat.

Tea Spoon

By and large what has already been said says it all. Stick to the City Centre and you will be grand.

Along with out of town pubs I would also try and avoid pubs / clubs in leisure complexs like the Odyssey and Yorkgate (now called Cityside) as these can be magnets for troublemakers.

Common sense should prevail and it's not too difficult even with a few pints in you to use sound judgement. My golden rule is really don't draw unnecessary attention to yourself no matter where you are be it Belfast or not.

Fozzie Bear

I'm from Galway and myself and my missus were in Belfast for the long weekend. It was my first time to even cross the border and I have to say I enjoyed every minute of my time there. A fabulous city, it was clean, friendly locals, very well sign posted and I felt perfectly safe around the city centre regardless of the time, 2pm or 2am.

We did the usual tourist things like the rope bridge (windy and terrifying!), giants causeway, Belfast wheel, shopping, Titanic quarter and open top bus tour. It was very interesting and an eye opener to travel down the Falls and Shankill among many other sites and places. We ate out and done as many pubs as we could which were all perfectly safe and well maintained. The Crown was my own favourite just for the decor. An amazing listed building.

Basically as long as you don't arrive into a pub in a Celtic shirt, wearing a giant green lepracaun hat sing Rebel songs then you are not going to get in any trouble. Just don't act the maggot, keep in mind where you are and the political and cultural sensitivities of the locals and you will have a ball. Virtually no different from Dublin or any other major city.

Noble Knight

Costigan wrote: »

By and large it will be safe and you will have a great time but I remember a Cannaught Rugby fan got a terrible beating near one of the main strips which is unfortunately beside Sandy Row when he was getting a bite to eat.

It was a Munster Rugby top and there is more to that story than was reported in the media.

Fozzie Bear

Noble Knight wrote: »

It was a Munster Rugby top and there is more to that story than was reported in the media.

Really? Are you sure about that? I know a little bit about this and the victim. The guy who was attacked is Paul Newton from Sligo, but originally a Roscommon man. He is a Connacht rugby fan and was in Belfast to see them and Ulster playing the night he was attacked. He would have been wearing a green Connacht rugby top if any, certainly not a Munster top. He was also wearing a coat over the top as it was 1am on an April night when assaulted.

I am not trying to have an arguement or anything just querying some points. Also no matter what else there might be as you say behind what was reported he did not deserve to have the his head kicked in. He spent 2 weeks in intensive care on a ventilator unable to breath for himself. He has still not recovered from his injuries (attack was start of April 08) they were that severe and will spend several more years receiving therapy and medical assistance for his injuries.

At the same time I am not trying to tarnish all the people of that area. It was as always a handfull of scrotes who did this and dragged an entire neighbours reputation through the mud.

dungeon

The message seems to be that it's a fine place but just avoid particular areas. The same could be said for every city.

rg2007

went to belfast on friday for belsonic, just for the night, nicest city on the island ive been to. and yes, me and my mate were actually completely surprised how nice it was, a lot of this stigma against it is completely blown out of proportion, and doesnt help anyone. clubs are great fun, better music and craic than dublin i found, even for the one night, way cheaper too. everyone we talked to were the soundest people, didnt see any drunk bullcrap you get in dublin, actually felt safer.

definitely goin back, considering applying for a year up there in queens.

armaghbhoy

Well being from the north, if i was going to Belfast I'd avoid most of the east of the city except for the Short Strand. most of the west is ok except for the Shankill. Or you could just learn the sash and you will be ok, as long as your accent doesn't give it away.

m@cc@

armaghbhoy wrote: »

Well being from the north, if i was going to Belfast I'd avoid most of the east of the city except for the Short Strand. most of the west is ok except for the Shankill. Or you could just learn the sash and you will be ok, as long as your accent doesn't give it away.

You're really just naming that Nationalist areas aren't you?

Anyway, for anyone visiting Belfast for the weekend, the city centre is for the most part safe. I can't think off-hand a pub that you would be recommended to avoid. If you're a student, you might also like round the Botanic and Stranmillis area where there are heaps of bars geared towards students.

The_Wobbler

You'll have no problems, city centre is probably safer than dublin

Raspberryhardon

armaghbhoy wrote: »

Well being from the north, if i was going to Belfast I'd avoid most of the east of the city except for the Short Strand. most of the west is ok except for the Shankill. Or you could just learn the sash and you will be ok, as long as your accent doesn't give it away.

What a load of rubbish!!!!!!!!

Paul4As

I had my wedding this year in The Stormont Hotel which is well in to East Belfast!!! Half of my wedding guests were from Mayo and Dublin...they had no problem whatsoever with East Belfast...had hairdressing appointments there, went for walks around Stormont Estate!!!
As to why a stag group would be visting East Belfast or the Shankill...that is a bit confusing!!! All the bars and clubs are in the city centre!!!
Maybe some people just enjoy labelling some areas of Northern Ireland as no go whether it relates to the thread or not!!!

Raspberryhardon

Paul4As wrote: »

I had my wedding this year in The Stormont Hotel which is well in to East Belfast!!! Half of my wedding guests were from Mayo and Dublin...they had no problem whatsoever with East Belfast...had hairdressing appointments there, went for walks around Stormont Estate!!!
As to why a stag group would be visting East Belfast or the Shankill...that is a bit confusing!!! All the bars and clubs are in the city centre!!!
Maybe some people just enjoy labelling some areas of Northern Ireland as no go whether it relates to the thread or not!!!

Well said mate!

hmmmmmm

Thinking of organising a stag myself up there. Is there any strip clubs in Belfast? Any niteclub recommendations?
Cheers

Raspberryhardon

hmmmmmm wrote: »

Thinking of organising a stag myself up there. Is there any strip clubs in Belfast? Any niteclub recommendations?
Cheers

No strip clubs mucker but what type of clubs do you like?????

hmmmmmm

Really none!! Difficult to have a stag without one. What are good clubs for meeting women up there?

Raspberryhardon

hmmmmmm wrote: »

Really none!! Difficult to have a stag without one. What are good clubs for meeting women up there?

Well you could try the odessey arena the advantage is its all indoors so you dont have to do much walking in the rain. Inside there is the Beach club which is tacky but full of birds or bar7 which is full of hen nights or the box is very clubby and a little younger. But theres plenty of bars that arent bad inside aswell as a bowling alley.

If you want a club try "Rain" or if you want a bar/club try either Thompsons Garage or Mchughs.