The Harp Bar

The original Belfast "Harp Bar" was a public house and live music venue based in Hill Street, central Belfast. It was owned between 1977 and 1984 by Patrick (Patsy) Lennon who some years later built and owned the Limelight nightclub and Dome Bar (two adjacent premises in Ormeau Avenue, Belfast).

The Harp Bar is synonymous with the history of punk rock, particularly from a Northern Ireland context.[1] It was functioning as a city centre bar and music venue at the height of the conflict/troubles in Northern Ireland. Despite tensions in the city and occasional bomb attacks on the premises by paramilitaries the bar continued to trade and young people from all across the city and further afield regularly attended gigs.

Many local punk rock bands including The Outcasts, Rudi, Stiff Little Fingers, The Defects and others appeared at the venue. It was quickly recognised as the premier punk rock venue in Ireland and started attracting touring bands such as The Nipple Erectors and The Monochrome Set. According to one regular, "It stank. It smelled of armpit and stale beer. The toilets were DREADFUL." They loved it. [2]