Belfast - Friday Night Out

Sponsored by:

Refreshed after my quick afternoon nap, I was all set for Friday night in Belfast.

Belfast Tourist Information has made a booking for me and Nicky at No.27 restaurant on Talbot Street. This was just a few metres away from our hotel.

From No.27's website:
No27 has been shortlisted as one of the three most stylish restaurants in the country in the Magners Lite style awards.

We arrived at 7pm and it was already busy. Our waiters were attentive and patient whilst we deliberated over the lovely choice on the menu. We shared a bottle of Rose and I chose a starter of prawns with mango. I thought this was an interesting combination and I wasn't disappointed. It was delicious! We both had a Chinese style duck and noodle dish for our main course. We agreed it was pleasing to our taste buds and perfectly presented. If I am ever in Belfast again, I will make sure to pop along to No.27!

Initially our plans for Friday night were to visit the John Hewitt Bar on Donegal Street, but we arranged to meet up with a couple of Nicky's friends and her uncle and we didn't manage to get there. The John Hewitt is unique in that it ploughs all it's profit into charity. The charity they support is called The Belfast Unemployed Resource Centre. The aim of the charity is:

To provide a Centre which will promote the interests and the benefits of the unemployed and other social and economically disadvantaged groups without prejudice of age, gender, sexual orientation, political or religious opinions.

To provide education, training, advice, representation and counseling to the unemployed and the citizens of Northern Ireland.

To provide information and campaign on the issues, problems and social benefits effecting the unemployed.

To promote and conduct research into the causes of unemployment, strategies for employment and recomposition of the workforce.

To campaign against and expose the broader issue of poverty and its debilitating effect on our society

Their profits from the John Hewitt Bar have recently helped to open a music school in Cuba and nearer to home they have built a playground for the children living with their mothers at a women's refuge.

The bar has a close relationship with the arts in Belfast and is host to music events almost every night of the week.

I hope to go along there next time I am visiting Belfast as they are doing great work and deserve lots of support.

So, Friday night we found ourselves in The Duke Of York on Commercial Court drinking with Nicky's Uncle Ernie, his friend Brian and Nicky's friend Joel from Mama Matrix.

Brian, myself and Uncle Ernie

It was a lovely evening and we stayed outside drinking with lots of Friday night revellers. There was a great atmosphere and got very crowded - good luck trying to get to the bar!

A Belfast poem found in the ladies loo at the Duke Of York

Later in the night when Brian, Ernie and Joel had caught their last bus home, me and Nicky ventured upstairs where there was a musician playing guitar and singing and the more lively of the customers having a good old dance. I think the early start and busy day had finally caught up with us and we eventually wandered back to the hotel and head for bed. But not before a night cap or two!

After wine, cider, beer, sambuca and champagne I think we were pretty much guaranteed a good nights sleep!