Looking to make a memorable first impression? Wanna take your partner somewhere new? You've come to the right place. In a city brimming with award-winning restaurants, romantic bars and cabaret, love is well and truly in the air. So, whether you fancy drinks, dinner or something a little different, you'll find just the thing in our guide to date night in Belfast.
Looking for a little sophistication on your next date night? Get on down to Rudi, the beautifully boujee basement bar on Donegall Square. Below the city streets, it serves up signature cocktails and shot boards surrounded by rich, velvet interiors and an eclectic collection of artwork.
Whether you want to settle into a booth or dance the night away to house DJs, Grey Goose, Don Julio and champagne drinks packages will add a little extra sparkle to your evening.
If you're searching for a date-night spot that gets the balance just right, Taylor & Clay Grill at the Bullitt Hotel is the kind of place that instantly sets the mood. Its centrepiece is a glowing bespoke Asador grill, where prime cuts of locally sourced meat, fresh seafood and seasonal vegetables are infused with rich, smoky character.
Tuck into juicy ribeye, melt-in-the-middle fillet, and a luxurious Chateaubriand for two made for sharing. Add a curated wine list packed with bold Malbecs and the much-loved Corkage Club, offering free corkage every Wednesday, and you've got all the ingredients for a slow, romantic evening.
For a date night packed with atmosphere, Revolución de Cuba turns up the romance with a vibrant Havana twist.
Housed in a stunning Art Nouveau setting that plays up to the Latin theme, it's the perfect backdrop for sharing a table over rum-fuelled cocktails, stacked burgers and fresh burrito bowls. Splitting a few mind-blowing tapas small plates sets an easygoing, interactive mood before live Latin beats, salsa music and late-night DJs tempt you both onto the dance floor.
For those cool date nights with your beau, head on over to The Tipsy Bird on Ann Street. Not only does this funky venue whip up some bespoke sharing concoctions, such as a passionfruit margarita and a gin and prosecco-based Baby Flamingo, but there's also fabulous live music to enjoy as part of a cheap date night in Belfast. Oh, yes.
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Looking for date ideas in Northern Ireland? We've got you sorted. The Tetto garden boasts jaw-dropping views across the city and a range of cocktails like the elderflower liqueur-based Hugo spritz. Head up to the sky-high spot at the weekend in the summer to catch a late-night DJ set, or dine at the bright, tropical restaurant and bar for scrumptious flatbreads and sourdough pizzas.
Impress your crush with a trip to Yügo City. The chic Wellington Street dining room is kitted out in modern lighting and golden lucky cats - always welcome on a first date - while the kitchen is churning out kimchi bao buns, teriyaki-glazed sweet potato and crispy pork dumplings.
If you're after romantic things to do in Belfast for couples then take your partner to The Bar at The Fitzwilliam Hotel. Along with swanky interiors like a dark marble countertop and geometric art hanging on the wall, plus an impressive wine list, they also have an award-winning beverage manager on hand whipping up classic cocktails. Why not bag 3 for £22 on delicious tasting plates, like salt and chilli squid or teriyaki and sesame salmon skewers, if you get peckish, too?
The Perch Rooftop Bar is shaking up seasonal cocktails in Belfast city centre. Housed within a former Victorian warehouse, the drinking spot has a top-notch outdoor terrace, beautiful adornments - think birdcages, fairy lights and decorative flora - and cheesy pizzas to chow on.
The Muddler's Club is a sophisticated Michelin-starred restaurant on Warehouse Lane. Expect fine wines and seasonal tasting menus paired with elegant, gothic furnishings, making for one hell of a romantic evening. Now all you've got to do is bring the charm offensive.
With fabulously OTT decor and a cracking menu, AMPM is bringing out the big guns when it comes to Belfast date ideas. When you're not gawping at the flower-clad ceiling and ornate chandeliers? Get your chops around duck liver parfait with mulled apple chutney and herb-crusted salmon.
From first meet-ups to anniversary meals, Six By Nico is an obvious choice when it comes to date night in Belfast for couples. The place is renowned for offering a different six-course menu every six weeks, with themed dinners ranging from Funfair to Mad Hatter's Tea Party. The best part? It's priced at just £39 per person.
Trying to think of indoor date ideas in Belfast? Cabaret Supper Club is coming up roses with live music, burlesque performances and comedy acts galore. What's more, you and your boo will also be treated to a tasty three-course meal from the kitchens of AMPM, washed down with cocktails.
Sexy decor, salacious drinks and South American tunes come together at Liquor XXX. Hidden behind an adult shopfront, this slinky haunt is filled with snug nooks and potent cocktails, like the kiwi-infused Piscola and a burnt butter margarita, perfect for an intimate tête-à-tête with your other half.
Arguably the most romantic restaurant around, OX is a no-brainer for things to do for couples in Belfast. Touting rustic interiors and candlelit tables, the award-winning eatery uses local produce to make their knockout seasonal tasting menus.
Rita's is a lavish cocktail lounge serving up live music and regular happy hours in the heart of the Linen Quarter. With an extensive list of gin, craft brews and signature libations like Tanqueray and Aperol-based Jasmin, this beauty's definitely up there with the best places for a date night in Belfast city centre as it's a cosy venue with a lot of nooks perfect for snuggling up in, equipped with table lamps.
Cathedral Quarter's Coppi is adding a fun, theatrical element to your dinner. Cooking up Italian fare from an open kitchen, the sleek restaurant lets you watch as your meal is prepared in front of you, while you munch on olives. Add in some Aperol spritzes and negronis and your evening is sorted.
Whether you're looking for date night restaurants in Belfast or craft brews and live music, The Dirty Onion and Yardbird has got you covered. A cosy pub and bar downstairs with an eatery specialising in all things chicken upstairs, this spot also has one of the largest beer gardens and fun vibes.
Spend an evening in 1930s New York at Bert's Jazz Bar. The Skipper Street speakeasy will whisk you away to a more glamorous era, where crimson interiors and plush furnishings are paired with brassy melodies and a French bistro-inspired menu. Think beef bourguigon and moules frites mariniere.
Formerly named the best hotel bar in the world by Tales of the Cocktail, this stunner is decked out with banquette seating, chandeliers and decadent curtains. The Cocktail Bar at The Merchant Hotel's hand-crafted drinks menu is also guaranteed to please, featuring absinthe, gin and whisky-laced concoctions aplenty, making it the ideal spot for an indoor date night in Belfast.
If you're the kind of couple who love a good drink then it's time to give Santeria a visit. A great city centre bar for date night, this quirky hangout will set the scene for romance with hot toddies and a range of cocktails inspired by Latin America, like the Smoking Hot Mary made with Ojo de Dios Mezcal.
Cooking up contemporary Spanish tapas from an open kitchen along Upper Queen Street, Bib Gourmand-awarded EDO uses local produce to create lip-smacking small plates. Share a bottle of wine while making googly eyes and nibbling on octopus linguini with tomato and chilli, salt-baked sea bream and langoustine fritters accompanied by tartare sauce.
