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ALAN SAYS: If you're into rock or heavy metal music, then you'll know that Belfast isn't exactly the hub of the universe in terms of finding the kind of places where us types can feel thoroughly at home. Nevertheless, we're better off in this part of the world than many might think. This page gives a basic summary of what options there are for the frustrated rocker/metaller in the city. Of course the kind of music and atmosphere I like may not be to everybody's liking. The only way to find out is to try the places listed here for yourself. My comments can only offer a couple of pointers. Oh, by the way, I've not been out to half of the places listed here all that recently, so some of my reviews may be a bit out of date. If you spot something that I've missed, or if my info's wrong, why not drop me a note here?

The Venue

WHERE: Bruce Street (between Great Victoria Street and the Dublin Road). WHEN: Friday (modern metal), Saturday (classic metal). MUSIC: Pretty damn good on both main nights, with the selection chosen by resident DJ Kenny Hawkins. Tunes you'll hear on Fridays include all the latest tracks as well as some old favourites. Requests are welcome, as indeed they are on Saturday nights, when the music is more traditional in flavour - including such classic bands as AC/DC, Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, Bon Jovi, Guns n' Roses, Kiss, Metallica, Megadeth, Motley Crue, Skid Row, Slayer and so on. VERDICT: If you want to jump about like a lunatic in a dark, loud, scruffy and welcoming environment while listening to your favourite tracks, the Venue is for you. The crowd tends to be quite young, but there are still a minority of older types hanging about the odd time. Newcomers should be aware that "drinks tokens" have to be bought at the door before going to the bar, which is a pain in the arse. However, the quality selection of music more than compensates for this minor flaw. The entrance fee includes access to some fairly good-value stodgy food, though admittedly most people don't go to a night-spot to scoff grub. The atmosphere is always friendly, even if there sometimes aren't enough people there to generate a real buzz. In my humble opinion, if you even half-like metal, the Venue is definitely worth a visit or ten.

The Rosetta come.to/rosettabar

WHERE: 73-75 Rosetta Road, off the upper Ormeau Road: travelling away from the city centre, it's down the first major turning to the left following the roundabout, and then down the right fork of this road. The Rosie's on your right, and its rock-related action takes place upstairs. Unless you live locally, then you'll be glad to hear that there's a taxi firm right next door. WHEN: Fridays and Saturdays: there is no fixed formula to this though. Saturday nights often but not always feature bands, and occasional goth discos are run mostly (but again not always) on Fridays. Check here for upcoming events. Doors theoretically open at 8:30 pm, or did when I was last there, but your best bet, realistically, is to turn up half-an-hour or an hour later (of course, this will vary depending on the popularity of the bands appearing). MUSIC: The Rosetta primarily hosts local new talent, covers bands, and in the odd case internationally known artists. Bands tend to take to the stage sometime around 10 pm, leaving time before, between and after performances for pre-recorded rock disco interludes which tend in a classic rock/metal direction (80s-90s in particular). VERDICT: The atmosphere, like that in the Venue, is very friendly and relaxed, with a slightly older crowd than the Venue being the norm. The Rosetta has a core of regulars, an easy-going and welcoming bunch who keep the conversation and drink flowing. Crowds and their composition can naturally vary from week to week. The biggest acts have been known to attract up to 250 people. For the latest gig info, check out the Rosie's web-site.

The Limelight www.the-limelight.co.uk

WHERE: Ormeau Avenue, beside Katy Daly's, not far from the BBC. WHEN: Most, if not all, nights of the week, but be warned that not all of these are rock nights! My information is somewhat out of date, but the best night for rock seems likely still to be Saturday. MUSIC: The Limelight could not be described as a rock club, but it does have the right atmosphere to it, and if you pick the right night, you will almost certainly hear a few rock tracks played. These are mostly of the modern variety - the kind of stuff you might hear on the rock channels on TV. While the Limelight does not offer the type of thing you'll find at the Venue or the Rosetta - i.e. a 'real' metal hangout, it is worth checking out as an alternative joint where people aren't afraid to look a bit scruffy. VERDICT: This is a place where eclectic types seem still to be accepted, which is certainly a plus in a Belfast where everybody seems to want to go to the Odyssey to watch half-clad trendies dance the night away to the monotonous crap that passes for 'music' these days. Pop in for a drink at Katy Daly's next door while you're waiting for the doors to open - probably at 9 pm or thereabouts. Last time I tried, entrance was £5 on a Saturday. Check out at two contrasting reviews of hte place here and here.

Katy Daly's

WHERE: Ormeau Avenue, beside the Limelight, near the BBC. WHEN: Normal pub opening hours. MUSIC: Generally the jukebox is rocker-friendly, ranging all the way from Hendrix to Nirvana, from Queen to the Darkness, and from Bon Jovi to U2, REM and the Beatles - admittedly quite a wide range, some of which might not be classified as 'rock' in the sense that I normally use it. Many nights see acoustic covers by individuals, singer-songwriters playing their own material or bands that might be punk, funk, rock or metal, and other styles. Katy's also hosts the "rockD" event, run by The Distortion Project, is a Saturday afternoon forum for local metal talent. A good variety of tastes are catered for. VERDICT: Katy's is owned by the same bunch as the Limelight, and attracts some (though by no means most) of the same people. It's about as close as Belfast is likely to come to a dedicated rock bar, even if it doesn't style itself as such. There's a generally relaxed atmosphere, with good value pub-grub at lunchtimes to feed the local office-workers and a pub quiz on Monday nights that is worth a go. Unfortunately, one down-side of the place is that the bands appearing there are often too loud for a bar as small as KD's, so don't go there for a relaxing chat if there's band on. Katy Daly's is a bar in which I feel very much at home, and for that reason I give it a big thumbs-up.

Auntie Annie's

WHERE: Dublin Road, beside Pizza Hut and near the Movie House cinema. WHEN: Normal pub opening hours (downstairs), 9 pm or thereabouts onwards (upstairs). MUSIC: The music on offer at the downstairs bar in Auntie Annie's as a kind of 'Katy Daly's light' - that is to say it leans more towards alternative than rock at times. The Red Hot Chili Peppers, U2, the Beatles, REM, and so on are among those you'll hear - bands you'll be able to listen to in KD's as well, of course, but the difference is that there's no jukebox in AA's; the tunes are chosen not by the punters but by the bar staff. Of course, that is not necessarily a bad thing in some cases! Occasional covers and singer-songwriter performances in the acoustic pop/rock tradition are laid on some nights, again pretty much like Katy's. Bands, including those in the rock/metal tradition, tend to appear in the upstairs area, and it's a case of paying in to see them. One thing the upstairs area has that KD's doesn't, though, is its very own discos, with the Wednesday night 'Frisky Disco' playing a mix of indie, rock, metal and cheese. I must say I haven't been to this, so can't comment on the quality of the selections at this point. VERDICT: Auntie Annie's attracts a very mixed crowd, reflecting the variety of music you can hear in the downstairs bar and the upstairs club alike. I suppose I should point out that 'club' is a rather generous description of upstairs in AA's though. Granted, you pay into this part of the bar and listen to a DJ, but the dance floor is pretty damn small and there's not exactly heaps of room to shake your funky hairdo around and behave in a highly inebriated manner. Having said that, it's certainly possible to have a great night upstairs - as they rightly say size isn't everything. A relaxing atmosphere, dark decor, a crowd that doesn't mind alternative types, and a fairly unpretentious feel make this a decent Belfast hangout.

Lavery's back bar ('Cobbles') / middle bar ('The Bunker') www.laverysbelfast.com

WHERE: Bradbury Place, not too far past the corner of Shaftesbury Square and the big electronic billboard. WHEN: Normal pub opening hours (back bar). Note that the complex also features the front bar, which has nothing to do with rock (normal opening hours), an off-licence, a middle bar called 'The Bunker' and a second floor bar where playing games of pool while listening to half-decent music is the main entertainment. MUSIC: "Are you content with so-called entertainment in Belfast? Every bar serving up the same chart cheese in the same mundane way, missing completely the wealth of talent available in our own wee town. Surely not everybody likes to listen to the shite they now endlessly play in so-called trendy bars where the NOW albums are treated like the Holy Grail of modern music. One bar stands alone in the fight against this apathy which is destroying creative music on every level and that is Lavery's Back Bar. In these bland times isn't it refereshing that the Back Bar still plays real music made by real musicians. Whilst still managing to combine different genres." This quote from Lavery's Alternative News, issue 3, provides a reasonable summary of what you can expect to hear if you visit this establishment - indie, ska, folk, mellow, rock, electro and punk. The wide range of music played, simply because it is so wide, will not suit everybody. A jukebox is available when there's nothing else on and has a reasonable selection on songs, though in terms of rock the emphasis is on '70s material. Bands playing a variety of styles appear some nights, while on others DJs take the stage. Someone kindly contacted me with some more information about the variety on offer here: "the middle bar has been putting on some good gigs recently. It seems to be part of the whole 'alternative entertainment' thing they're promoting at the moment. This means that they will put on alternative or underground dance, techno and that sort of stuff, but if you keep your eyes peeled there are certainly some alternative punk/metal/rock gigs. I'm not sure how regular the rock stuff happens, as I have usually stumbled upon a random poster, but I went to The Dangerfields album launch there and the whole night was really heavy live punk and metal! It was a really good night. I think the problem is that it's hard to know what to expect there if you don't recognise the names of the bands. If I see a name on a poster, well who knows if it's some techno outfit or some punk band over from England. Anything decent I've seen there is usually advertised as being on in The Bunker. Also on Sundays (I think) there is a night on called frock (female fronted rock) but I haven't had the chance to check it out yet. Keep an eye on The Bunker! There is definitely some really heavy live music on there!!!!" VERDICT: Dirty, dank and atmospheric, the back bar is one of the few places that has remained the same in Belfast over the last number of years. A happy hour (or several) can be taken advantage of on most days, running from late afternoon until 7 pm. If you don't mind your pubs down and dirty, with a real sense of self, then definitely try the back bar. I haven't tried The Bunker yet, but certainly intend to check it out. While I'm at it, I might as well recommend the top-floor bar (when it's not a Friday or Saturday i.e. club night). Okay, the main focus here is on playing pool, but the good thing about it from a rocker's point of view is that the jukebox features a decent selection of music to accompany the games - from your Iron Maiden and Guns n' Roses to some more modern stuff. Also keep your eye on the Lavery's web-site for mid-week DJ sets with a rock bent: among guest DJs are the likes of Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols). Okay when I was there it was £5 in ( £3 for students), but many drinks thereafter, and up till 11 p.m., were a very respectable £1.

The Empire www.thebelfastempire.com

WHERE: Botanic Avenue, on the left near the railway station, not far from Shaftesbury Square. WHEN: Normal pub opening hours (downstairs), from around 8:30 pm (upstairs). MUSIC: For once, the main attraction to the downstairs bar, at least during the day, is not the music but the dank, relaxed atmosphere. Granted, covers bands which play downstairs on some weekend evenings tend to provide a good rock flavouring; you're almost guaranteed to hear something half-decent if you're a regular on Friday or Saturday night. We're not talking hard rock here, really; the most you can expect is some Motorhead or AC/DC appearing occasionally amidst the other Sweet Home Alabama type of covers. Upstairs - known as the Empire Music Hall - tends to host the 'bigger name' bands, including a host of tribute acts such as By Jovi, Gunz n' Rozes, Thin As Lizzy, AZ/DZ and so on - most of them of a very high quality. And it's even been known to host fairly big-name acts in the past.   VERDICT: The Empire is not what I would really describe as a rockers' bar, but then neither is Auntie Annie's really and it still gets a thumbs up. The thing that appeals to me about the Empire is that it's dark, dank, atmospheric, and you get all types hanging around in its relaxed atmosphere, including - especially on band nights upstairs - the older generation of rockers. The Empire offers what is probably the closest bar equivalent to the Limelight's 'come one, come all' type philosophy. Many of the clientele are students, but that in itself guarantees a variety of tastes and styles absent from most of Belfast's 'generic' glitz-holes. Older rock-ish types (maybe in their early 30s) can be found attending the weekly Saturday covers band performances, sometimes upstairs, sometimes downstairs, and while this doesn't appeal to some of my rocker mates, others (including myself) appreciate them down-and-dirty rock/blues tunes and the atmosphere of almost-but-not-quite sleaze. The Empire has a lot to offer, whether as a quiet destination for a few drinks, or as the location for a drunken night of stupid dancing and singing along.

Gig circuit (where? when?)

So where does one go to hear a decent rock band playing a live set in Belfast? Well, there is no simple answer to that. Many of the bars and clubs listed on this page play host to rock bands on occasion, as mentioned above...but then again, so do many others not listed thus far. Allow me to point the hungry metaller in the direction of those in the know about gigs. Here's a very rough and ready list of useful internet sites that provide information on upcoming gigs by rock (and other) local bands. www.thedistortionproject.com - Okay, I must admit that I'm cheating slightly here. If you think that the Distortion Project is an unlikely name for a bar or club, then you're right; that's not what DP is. Rather, the Distortion Project is a phenomenon established by a dedicated bunch of people who like their rock and metal. Originally the organisers of decent Belfast metal nights which are alas no more, the DPeople now concentrate on organising local gigs - among them the "rockD" event on Saturday afternoons at Katy Daly's - and even have their own radio show! To find out more, check out their web-site. alternative-belfast - An e-mail list that you can sign up to from the site linked here. All you have to do is get yourself a userid (if you don't already have one with YahooGroups). You can sign up to receive updates on some gigs and rock events, as well as have a bit of chat about the local rock/alternative/goth scene. Fastfude - locally-run internet magazine that organises gigs featuring local bands. The Rosetta - details of bands playing on metal night, and a possible forthcoming Friday indie-band night. The Front Page - this Belfast bar mainly focuses on various types of dance music, so it is a welcome and pleasant surprise that its weekly band night offers a glimpse of some of Belfast's finer rock talent. Local bands can be seen every Wednesday, so get yourself along, have a few beers, and support local rock.

Best o' the rest

Not all rockers are goths, and not all goths are rockers, but there is an overlap, and that's why I have included some information on the goth and related scene in Belfast. Our first port of call is Cornucopia, which is held at the Rosetta on an occasional basis. I've not been myself, but my impression is that DJs at this night focus on the Sisters of Mercy / eighties side of goth rather than the electronic side. The Cornucopians have this to say about their night: "Music ranges from anything within the 80’s/Goth/Industrial framework (old & new), we aim to play as many requests as possible, along with various ‘silly stuff’. We also offer the chance for anyone interested to have a go at a 45 min Learner spot DJ’ing." Since I haven't been and can't comment in any detail, you may as well read a review of the night here. The general divide that seems to exist in goth tastes means that there's another style of music to be catered for, a more underground industrial or electronic sound which will certianly not be of interest to all visitors to this page, but will no doubt appeal to some. The answer to your prayers if you're one of those people is Synthetic, which is described as follows: "Synthetic's music policy is wide ranging, anything from Terror Noise through EBM, Industrial, Trance, Electroclash, and Country & Western[?] - as long as it fits. No Metal, no Sisters, no "eighties" - in short nothing you can hear every Friday at your "Student Friendly/Alternative" club nights." The Rosetta seems to be the venue for this occasional night. BelfastUnbound is an occasional event at the Rosetta which has as its dress code of 'black or bizarre' and describes itself as "somewhere between the Moulin Rouge and Twin Peaks". If this is their way of saying that it's a fetish night, that's fine by me. Oh, stop looking so shocked! I haven't been to it yet, so cannot comment on what it's like, but my impression is that the music may not necessarily be in a rock direction, but leans more toward the electronica side of goth. However, for someone who wants to try a night out that's a little different, why the hell not?

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