BELFAST INSIDER
Hey there, Insider! 👋
We’ve been wandering the city this week — from secret rooftop gigs to a new family-run bakery with croissants that deserve their own postcode.
Here’s your weekly slice of Belfast’s best people, places, and happenings — no crime, no politics, just good craic.
💌 P.S. Don’t miss this week’s hidden gem — it’s where locals say time slows down.
LET’S STEP INSIDE →
THE DIGEST: Belfast in Brief
Only the good news, promise.
🗣️ Local students turn waste into eco-art for the Cathedral Quarter festival.
🌳 A new green space opens along the River Lagan.
🏗️ Construction begins on Belfast’s newest co-working hub.
Got a story that’ll make someone smile? Hit reply and share it!
SEE HOW LOCALS STYLE WITH PURPOSE →
🏪 LOCAL BUSINESS SCOOP
(Powered by Local NI Bank)
Openings, Closures & Buzz Around Town
🆕 The Old Mill Café opens in East Belfast — all-day brunch, live music Fridays.
🏁 GearUp Cycles closes after 15 years — farewell discounts all week.
💡 Rumour Mill: whispers of a craft brewery coming to Ormeau Road
🍺 Want your business featured? [Get in touch →]
Your Weekend Lineup
🎟️ WHAT’S HAPPENING:
Your guide to what’s on across Belfast & Northern Ireland
🎶 Friday
Live jazz at The Merchant
LEARN MORE →
🛍️ Saturday
St. George’s Market Halloween special
LEARN MORE →
🎭 Sunday
“Once” musical at the Lyric Theatre
LEARN MORE →
🌌 All Week
Titanic Belfast light show
LEARN MORE →
💛 COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
This Week’s Local Hero:
Sarah O’Donnell, The Book Nook Founder
When Sarah lost her job during lockdown, she turned her living room into a pop-up library for kids in her area. Now, The Book Nook has grown into a full literacy hub serving hundreds of families.
📸 See her story & photos here →
Nominate next week’s local hero — we love celebrating Belfast’s best people.
🍽️ RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK
The Hidden Lantern — Ormeau Road
Think fairy lights, Filipino street food, and a dessert that’ll ruin other desserts for you.
⭐ Must-try: Mango sticky rice.
💰 Average spend: £18 per person.
📍 Google rating: 4.8/5
The Hidden Lantern — Ormeau Road
🧭 THINGS TO DO
Because “nothing to do in Belfast” is a myth.
🥾 Take a coastal walk from Helen’s Bay to Crawfordsburn.
🎨 Visit the MAC for its new local artist showcase.
🧩 Challenge friends at “Escape HQ” Belfast — the hardest puzzle yet.
🗳️ POLL OF THE WEEK
We’re planning our first “Hidden Belfast” walking tour. Would you come?
🔘 Absolutely
🔘 Maybe (depends on snacks)
🔘 I prefer reading about it
Vote here → (Beehiiv poll embed)
💬 YOUR VOICE
Got a story, photo, or random Belfast moment worth sharing?
📸 Send it in — you might be featured in next week’s “Your Belfast” section!
We’re locals, by locals. This newsletter is yours as much as ours.
💼 LOCAL ADS
Sponsored: The Belfast Job Hub
Hiring locally? Post your role for free this week at [belfastjobhub.co.uk].
Sponsored: Belfast Coffee Trail ☕
Try 5 cafés, get your 6th coffee free → [Get your pass here]
👋 OUTRO
That’s it for this week’s craic!
If you enjoyed this edition, share it with a friend who loves Belfast as much as you do.
📩 Invite them here → [Share the Newsletter]
Until next week — stay curious, stay kind, and keep exploring Belfast.
— The Belfast Insider Team
Until next time,
Let’s get the craic on!