Thompson's is situated down a little alleyway beside a bank which is just across the road from Belfast City Hall. Thompson's has established itself as one of Belfast's most well known nightclubs. Its doors have been opened for over nine years. The club is opened seven nights a week, each night ... Read review
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Advantages: regular drinks promos, late opening, good music Disadvantages: toilets, attracts a number of posers
Thompson's is situated down a little alleyway beside a bank which is just across the road from Belfast City Hall. Thompson's has established itself as one of Belfast's most well known nightclubs. Its doors have been opened for over nine years. The club is opened seven nights a week, each night having a different style of music and therefore attracting a different crowd.
The club itself is relatively small. As you walk down the alleyway ... ...bouncers outside (we'll come to them later). When you walk in there is a little desk where you pay in and then a set of stairs taking you upstairs. Upstairs has a large bar, the Dj booth and comfy couches along the side of the wall. There is a balcony where you can see downstairs. Beside the Dj booth are a set of stairs that take you down to the main dancefloor; the toilets are also located down stairs. The decor isn't too bad for a club, the floors ... more
Thompson's is situated down a little alleyway beside a bank which is just across the road from Belfast City Hall. Thompson's has established itself as one of Belfast's most well known nightclubs. Its doors have been opened for over nine years. The club is opened seven nights a week, each night having a different style of music and therefore attracting a different crowd.
The club itself is relatively small. As you walk down the alleyway to the club, there are a set of doors and bouncers outside (we'll come to them later). When you walk in there is a little desk where you pay in and then a set of stairs taking you upstairs. Upstairs has a large bar, the Dj booth and comfy couches along the side of the wall. There is a balcony where you can see downstairs. Beside the Dj booth are a set of stairs that take you down to the main dancefloor; the toilets are also located down stairs. The decor isn't too bad for a club, the floors are dark wood, the walls are a deep red colour. The club used to be an old warehouse/garage so upstairs the ceilings are really high and some exposed brickwork gives it an industrial style feel. On the high ceilings are big screens playing arty style visuals to compliment the music.
The bouncers at the club are nice enough although sometimes they can be a bit rude. If you are a regular you will have no trouble getting in but if not you might have a few difficulties. One night me, my sister and my friend all went to Thompson's, we arrived at the door and the bouncer said "Sorry ladies members only," in a very rude way, much to the amusement of me and my sister our friend just pulled out the member's card and we got in. Don't let this put you off, Thompson's is not a members only club but sometimes the bouncers say that if it is too full. Another tip, if you are under 18 I would recommend you don't go here as the bouncers ask most people for I.D.
Thompson's is known for the diverse style of music that each night has to offer:
MONDAY----"Shakedown" On Monday night's it is the resident Djs who provide the music. The music policy is anything goes..dance, hiphop, r'n'b, punk, house, electro. This is a good night to go as the club isn't too busy and the door tax is only £3. As in most clubs they run regular drinks promos.
TUESDAY----"Hustle" This is a great night if you want to hear Belfast's up and coming Djs. The residents play as well but it's great to hear some new Djs. The music is funky house. This night is aimed towards students so there are loads of drinks promos on. It's great if you want a cheap night out on the town, again the door tax is £3.
WEDNESDAY---"Funkarama" If you want to go and shake your booty like Beyonce..this is the night for you. The music policy is classic hiphop and r'n'b, all the music is quite commercial on this night. Door tax is £3.
THURSDAY--"Switch" Tonight it's all about funked up soul with a twist. Dj Mel OD from Dublin is the dj, he's great and can scratch really well. This attracts a regular big crowd, so be warned, it will get really busy. The door tax is £5.
FRIDAY--"Groovilicious" This is probably one of the busiest nights of the week. Dj Dee Mac is on the turntables provided fresh, funky house music. There are also regular guest Djs from all over the world. This is one of my favourite nights, the club is really really busy and that means huge toilet queues!!! Door tax is £5.
SATURDAY--"Stereo" The music is disctinctly disco flavoured with some of your favourite r'n'b hits. The dancefloor is always packed for this night because people want to boogie! The djs are Conor Magavock and Steve Boyd, two good local Djs. Door Tax is £10.
SUNDAY--"Musik Express" Dj Gleave Dobbin plays Old Skool classics, this is good if you want to hear all your favourite dance music from years ago. Door Tax is £5.
The dress code for the club is quite relaxed, as long as you are looking good. Jeans, funky trainers and cool t-shirts are all ok. Just don't turn up dressed like a chav drowned in gold jewellery and sportswear! Most people tend to dress caually during the week but at the weekends it's a bit more glam! Most nights attract a good crowd of people, young and slightly older but be warned Thompson's is reknowned for the amount of posers it attracts.
Thompson's just isn't all about local Djs, although they play the majority of the time there are regular sets from famous Djs. Past guests include Roger Sanchez, Dj Jazzy Jeff, Marshall Jefferson and many more. Many of the djs also have live percussion with them which is always cool to see.
One downside for me anyway is the toilets. When I go to a club I don't expect nice loos but the toilets here are icky! There is never any loo roll, there are dirty and the queue is always huge. My advice is hold on if you can!
Thompson's is ideal for anyone, you don't have to know a lot about music to enjoy the place, just bring your ID and you will have a great time. The bar does drinks promotions nearly every night of the week and the club usually stays open until 3am..what more could you want!
Advantages: Funkarama night is great Disadvantages: Very dark
This is one of the nightclubs that open late in Belfast:3am. Most of the other clubs close at 1:30am. This is situated just off Belfast City Hall down an allway. many of the nights this club is open they have a different theme. Foe example on thursdays it is R'n'B and Hip Hop, with the title Funkarama! They offer both regular rates and student rates. There are also a number of delicious cocktails to try and then dance the night away. There is a biggish ...
AngelicaG 27.08.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Thompson`s Garage (Belfast)
Cheap drink, No trouble, Friendly crowd, Ocassionally good music
Watered down cheap drink, Trouble outside, Generally poor music, bad food, uncompromisingly stubborn DJ, cleanliness, toilets, no disabled access, und (*)
