Belfast's LGBT nightlife hub centres around the Smithfield & Union area of north city centre, on the fringes of the Cathedral Quarter. The annual Belfast Pride Festival - the largest of its kind on the island of Ireland - attracts thousands of revellers each summer.

In 2005 under the new Civil Partnership Act, the city was the first in the UK to hold a same-sex civil partnership ceremony. Though, unlike the rest of the UK, same-sex marriage is still not recognised in N.Ireland.

The Kremlin, Union Street and Maverick are Belfast's three Gay nightlife venues.