We started our day in Belfast with breakfast at The Wolff Grill in the Titanic Hotel. The restaurant is named after Gustav Wolff, co-founder of Harland & Wolff, the legendary shipbuilders behind the RMS Titanic. It overlooks the slipways where the ship was launched in 1911, which makes sitting down for your morning coffee feel pretty special. The spread was plentiful, though the boiled eggs were definitely very hard-boiled. Never mind – there was more than enough to set us up for the day ahead.

Walking in Titanic’s Footsteps

After breakfast, we strolled to the Titanic slipway, the very place where the world’s most famous ship once stood. It’s hard not to imagine the noise, pride, and anticipation that must have filled the air when the Titanic first touched the water. Today, the site forms part of the Titanic Quarter, a redeveloped cultural district that blends history with modern Belfast.

A Pint with No Half Measures

From there, we walked into the city centre and made a stop at Bittles Bar, one of Belfast’s quirkiest pubs. Built in 1868, its distinctive flatiron shape makes it instantly recognisable, while its walls are lined with portraits of Irish literary giants and political figures. The Guinness here was perfectly poured, and the barman made sure we knew the pub’s motto: “No half pints.” They even sell it printed on T-shirts – a tempting souvenir.

Lunch at The Cloth Ear

By lunchtime, we headed to The Cloth Ear, part of The Merchant Hotel complex. A modern gastropub with plenty of character, it’s known for its hearty food and relaxed atmosphere. The signature chicken curry didn’t disappoint – rich, warming, and exactly the comfort dish I needed after a morning of exploring.

Decadence at The Merchant Hotel

After lunch, we walked next door into another world: The Merchant Hotel. Once the Ulster Bank headquarters, this Victorian landmark has been transformed into one of Belfast’s most luxurious venues.

One of the real showpieces of The Merchant Hotel is the Great Room Restaurant. Housed in what was once the grand banking hall of the old Ulster Bank, it feels more like dining in a theatre than a restaurant. A dazzling chandelier hangs beneath a glass dome, the ceilings soar above you, and every detail – from marble columns to red velvet chairs – drips with Victorian elegance.

You can go for breakfast, dinner, or their famous afternoon tea, and there is no doubt that eating here feels like stepping into another era – indulgent, atmospheric, and very Belfast.

The cocktail bar is to the right of The Great Room and oozes decadence – deep red upholstered chairs, leather settees, gleaming marble tabletops, a grand dark-wood bar, and jazz music drifting through the room. It’s little wonder the bar has won international awards. Sitting there felt like slipping into another era and our server made us feel like the most important people in the world.

Back to Base

We walked back to our hotel for a quick rest before the evening ahead. Dinner in the hotel bar was unfortunately the one disappointment of the day – a limp salad that had definitely seen better days with a barely warm chicken wrap. The staff did offer a complimentary round of drinks, which was appreciated, though frankly, we’d have preferred not to pay for the meal at all.

The Main Event: Simply Red at the SSE Arena

And then came the real reason we’d booked this trip almost two years ago, on 21st September 2023: Simply Red’s 40th Anniversary Tour at the SSE Arena Belfast.

The SSE Arena, set on the banks of the River Lagan, is Northern Ireland’s largest indoor venue and regularly attracts world-class acts. Our seats were in row 6 – close enough to see every detail of the stage. The support act was Rumer, (real name Sarah Joyce) – a British singer-songwriter, born in 1979 in Islamabad, Pakistan, where her father was working for the British High Commission. She grew up in England, and her stage name comes from the author Rumer Godden, who also spent part of her life in India and Pakistan. She came onto the stage in a yellow 70s – style dress and her singing was very reminiscent of Karen Carpenter. It was a great start to the evening. After her 45 minute set, the lights came back on for half an hour or so before Simply Red came on.

When Mick Hucknall and the band walked out, the crowd roared, and from the very first notes the energy was electric. They played all the classics that have soundtracked decades, and the whole arena joined in. It felt like both a celebration and a singalong, the kind of concert that stays with you.

A Day to Remember

From standing on the Titanic slipway to sipping Guinness in a Victorian pub, from the decadence of The Merchant Hotel to the buzz of live music at the SSE Arena, Belfast gave us a day packed with history, charm, and unforgettable moments. Simply Red were the highlight, of course – but the city itself played just as important a role in making it so memorable.