**Guest blogger (and little sister) Imogen Reay gives you a taste of Belfast: bands to see, things to do and Boojums to eat.**
Belfast became my favourite city two years ago after my first visit. It’s where my boyfriend lives and since we met I’ve been lucky enough to travel there once, sometimes twice, a month. I now think of it as my second home. And so, when my sister asked me to write about Belfast for her travel blog, I gladly accepted, seeing it as an opportunity to spread the word about this brilliantly unique, creative and spirited city.
Belfast nightlife and music
First of all, and I would say most importantly, is the nightlife. It’s undoubtedly the best I’ve experienced and this is down to the incredible music scene. Take a walk around the cathedral quarter and you’ll find that pretty much every single bar has live music on every night of the week. Not only this, but the standard is unbelievably high; I swear there must be more musical talent per square meter in Belfast than in any other city. 
Some cover acts to look out for include:
- The Russian Dolls, packing out Filthy McNasty’s on a Sunday night and playing some absolute classics alongside the thong song.
- Nine Inch Nialls is a hilariously impressive 4-piece instrumental act with Niall shredding the violin (your jaw will be on the floor at how quickly his fingers move during Daft Punk’s Aerodynamic).
- A duo going by the name of Funk Sinatra – that’s all I need to say about them.
Musicians in Belfast are well paid and respected as people seem to actually appreciate the atmosphere that live music brings to a venue. Creativity is celebrated, which only encourages more talent to show itself. It’s an attitude we need more of back in England, where musicians struggle and the vibe in most bars is exactly the same.
Trip Advisor’s second safest place to live
Part of what makes Belfast so great is the way in which it has well and truly turned itself around. It was a very different place not all that long ago, which is difficult to imagine if you visit today. Last weekend my parents came to visit and I organised a black cab tour for us, partly so that Mum got her culture fix and wouldn’t feel we’d simply drunk the weekend away, but also as I couldn’t comprehend that there was this other side to Belfast that used to exist.
The tour took us up the infamous Shankill Road and along the Peace Wall, where the gate dividing the Protestant and Catholic neighbourhoods is still locked from 6pm each night. The driver explained the importance of identity to each side and it’s easily felt by the vast amount of British flags plastered all over the protestant homes. There are murals everywhere and one that particularly stuck in my mind featured a grim reaper standing among 3 gravestones upon which the names of three Catholics were written, who were apparently still alive at the time it was painted – it was basically saying “we’re coming to get you”.
Today however, Belfast is rated the 2nd safest place to visit on TripAdvisor. Strangers are open and relaxed and the city is buzzing with life and happiness. The way in which it has bounced back is admirable and deserves respect.
The Boojum delight of Belfast
Finally, this article would not be a true reflection of Belfast’s brilliance if I did not mention Boojum.
Let me explain…
Costing only £5 and weighing about the same as a small baby, a burrito from Boojum is so much more than a burrito. Yes, it is true that you will not be able to move your body for hours after its consumption, but I promise you that nothing cures a hangover quite like it. Wash it down with some Buckfast and you’ll be grand.
**Imogen is too modest to add that her boyfriend can also be found singing in Belfast as Owen Mcgarry or the indie/pop/dance band Tuskany!**