| Limelight | |
| Address: | 17 Ormeau Ave Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Capacity: | 750 |
| Owner: | MCD / Shine Productions |
| Opened: | 1987 |
Limelight is a live music and night club venue complex in Belfast, Northern Ireland, which initially opened in 1987. The complex, located on the city's Ormeau Avenue, consists of Limelight 1 & Limelight 2, as well as a bar called Katy's Bar. The outdoor terrace is called The Rock Garden.[1]
Limelight has strong associations with new bands, homegrown talent, and indie/rock/metal club nights.[2]
Limelight nightclub and adjoining Dome bar were first opened in 1987 by Patrick Lennon, who had previously owned the Harp Bar in Hill Street, Belfast. Growing over the years, it eventually took over the adjoining building, which was a premises owned by a spring and airbrake business (hence the "Spring and Airbrake" venue name).
In 2010 the then owners, CDC Leisure, went into administration. In late 2011, the Limelight complex was purchased by Irish live music promoters MCD & Shine Productions.[3]
In late 2012, following a major refurbishment, the individual bars were rebranded, with the Spring and Airbrake being renamed to Limelight 1, Katy Daly's becoming Katy's Bar and the original Limelight venue becoming known as Limelight 2.
Oasis played the venue on 4 September 1994.[4] Noel Gallagher has commented on the venue:[5]
Limelight is now part of our heritage. There was a great buzz when the owner Eamonn McCann informed me we had hit the No 1 spot that night in '94. I'll always remember this place with affection. We had a party that night and the audience joined in. That was the start of our success story.
Other bands that have performed at Limelight include