8 TO THE BAR

8 to the Bar Snowball

Kick off your party season in style with 8 to the Bar's Annual Christmas Party.

Never one to disappoint, the night is filled with glittering entertainment and floor thumpin' tunes to keep the festive spirit flowing.

This year we are pleased to welcome back our favourite ukulele band, Uke Ellington, who will be entertaining us with some of their favourite festive tunes.

Enjoy the sounds from the decadent 1920's Jazz Age, the glamourous 1930's Dance Band Era, the swingin’ 1940’s, plus exciting Rhythm 'n' Blues, Jumpin' Jive, exotic Latin and Calypso beats through to the Rock 'n' Roll explosion of the 1950s and beyond with our guest DJ, Old Nick Esq.

And of course Santa will be making a special appearance. Come and sit on his knee to see if you've been naughty or nice this year.

So don your best Christmas attire, come in from the cold and revel in the glitz and glamour of the Christmas 8 to the Bar.

Collegiate Hop

Ladies and chaps, it's nearly the start of a new semester and that means only one event on the calendar, The Collegiate Hop!

Call in to the Black Box on 27th August for toe tapping tunes and swing happy dancing.

Guest DJs will be spinning records from the 20s to the 50s, hot jazz to r'n'b, rock & roll to slow blues, gypsy swing to jump jive and much more.

Come and learn the crazy dance of the college kids, the Collegiate Shag, in a free taster dance class at the start of the night. This fun class is suitable for all.

So dress to impress in your best vintage style and let loose at the Collegiate Hop!

Meschiya Lake & The Martello Jazz Band

With summer finally here, 8 to the Bar brings the hot sounds of Louisiana to Belfast with the Jazz Queen of the Big Easy, Meschiya Lake. Supported by our very own Martello Jazz Band, Meschiya's unique jazz tones will transport you straight to the streets of her hometown, New Orleans. Recognised as Female Performer of the Year three years running at the New Orleans Big Easy Awards, she is one not to be missed.

Support comes from one of the best of Belfast's burlesque ladies and more, plus 8 to the Bar's regular dj's will ensure the dance floor stays busy. Expect fast rhythms, slow blues, hot jazz and everything in between!

Why not check out Our Spirit of New Orleans daytime dance workshops which are sure to have you cutting a rug with confidence.

8 to the Bar Snowball

T'is the festive season and no Christmas time would be complete without the magic and sparkle of 8 to the Bar's Snowball.

Listen to the sensational sounds of the Martello Jazz Band whose hot Dixieland tunes will keep the merry cheer flowing. We will also be playing our collection of favourite music from swing, jazz, r'n'b, jive, blues and much more.

Plus there will be burlesque and dance performances to keep you entertained.

And don't forget our special visit from that debonair gentleman Santa! He will be arriving early to see if you've been naughty or nice this year.

So dress in your finest threads and kick off your party season in style at 8 to the Bar's Snowball.

The Harvest Moon Hop

Swing And Bop At The Harvest Moon Hop!

8 to the Bar once again presents a night of classic style where the music flows, the entertainment wows and the dancefloor never stops.

Burlesque performances from Soup Du Jour and Nuala Rude plus a special dance performance from Swing Belfast.

And introducing Old Nick Esquire who will be spinning an eclectic mix of 78's to keep your toes tapping and swing happy.

Nothing but the best tunes from hot jazz to r'n'b, rock and roll to slow blues.

A night not to be missed!

8 to the Bar Gentlemen's Club

For dapper chaps, mischievous cads and those ladies who dare…leave your inhibitions at the door!

8 to the Bar’s Gentlemen’s Club invites you once again to enjoy an exquisite night of vintage music, dance and cabaret at the Black Box.

Our host for the evening, the splendid Arthur Hastings-James looks forward to introducing you to live gypsy jazz from the fabulous ‘Manouche’, Burlesque from the enticing ‘Bella Agogo’, ‘Dina BonCoup’ and ‘Mia Amore’, plus vintage dance acts (tba).

Free vintage dance class: 8.15pm – 8/45pm

8 to the Bar 5th Birthday Party

8 to the Bar is 5 years old and still going strong!

This calls for a celebration so don your finest party threads and dance 'til your feet give out as you're invited the best party in town.

Performances from Galway's dynamic all-girl performance troupe The Dipsy Doodles, the beautifully amusing Soup Du Jour, the unforgettable Big Spender Boys and other special guests.

We'll be playing the best tunes from the '20s to the '50s and beyond to keep that dance floor bouncin'! From gypsy swing to jump jive, juke joint blues to rock 'n' roll, hot jazz to big band and so much more.

Plus no party would be complete without a big birthday Charleston jam so bring your best moves along.

8 to the Bar Snow Ball

Kick off your party season in style with 8 to the Bar's Annual Christmas Party.

Never one to disappoint, the night is filled with glittering entertainment and floor thumpin' tunes to keep the festive spirit flowing.

This year we are pleased to present Duke Special, who will be spinning his collection of 78s as he brings his acclaimed Gramophone Club to 8 to the Bar.

Sounds from the decadence of the 1920's Jazz Age, the pure glamour of the 1930's Dance Band Eraand the nostalgia of the War Years, exciting Rhythm 'n' Blues, Jumpin' Jive, exotic Latin and Calypso beats through to the Rock 'n' Roll explosion of the 1950s.

Dazzling performances from the always enchanting Mia Amore and a special guest performance from Miss Burlesque Ireland 2014, Miss Kat Moiselle. Dance routines from the fast-footed duo the Honeystompers and more.

And of course Santa will be making a special appearance. Come and sit on his knee to see if you've been naughty or nice this year.

So don your best Christmas attire, come in from the cold and revel in the glitz and glamour of Christmas 8 to the Bar.

Le Hot Gyspy Jazz

8 to the Bar transforms itself into a 1930's Parisian jazz club with a night dedicated to the unique styles of the gypsy jazz movement. With so much entertainment to enjoy, doors will be staying open until 1am!

Listen to the sounds of Belfast's own gypsy jazz band Manouche as they bring the rhythmic styles of Reinhardt and Grappelli to life. From hot club jazz to American swing and even some French popular music added in, they are sure to keep dancers on the floor and the audience foot-tapping in their seats.

Of course we will also be spinning the best collection of tunes with swing, r 'n' b, western swing, jive and blues from the '20s through to the '50s.

Be wowed by special performances from Dublin's beautiful Bella Agogo, a burlesque queen and bellydancer whose sultry movements are hypnotic and the always tantalising Teezy Overeazy with her cheeky and flirtatious burlesque. Plus extra dance performances to entertain on the night.

For that extra bit of fun, learn your fortune from 8 to the Bar's very own mystical medium. Will she be able to see your fate?

Frankie 100

“I'm not interested in fame or glory; it's just that I would like others to know what a happy dance this is”
Frankie Manning
1914 – 2009

Bellehoppers would like you to join them at 8 to the Bar on May 23rd to celebrate the life of Frankie Manning, the ambassador of swing.

In the true spirit of this dancing pioneer, the Black Box will be transformed into the Savoy Ballroom for a night filled with energy, delight and of course legendary dance moves.

We'll pay tribute to him with swingin' tunes, passionate performances and dancing until our feet give out.

So in honour of Frankie, move your feet fast, dance with raw abandon and enjoy every minute!

8 to the Bar February

Get back into the swing of a new year with Belfast's finest dance club, 8 to the Bar.

On the 28th February, 8 to the bar is going back to its roots, the music and the dancing.

Spinning the hottest tunes from Swing, Hot Jazz, Jive, Rhythm & Blues, Rockabilly, Western Swing and more which is sure to keep the dance floor jumpin'!

Prepare to get those feet moving with a free taster dance class at the start of the night.

Enticing performances come from the wonderful Mia Amore and Teezey Overeasy.

So come join us for the music, the dancing, the one and only 8 to the Bar.

End of Prohibition Party

The end of prohibition is upon us!

On the 6th December, Bellehoppers invites you to a festive 8 to the Bar with a post prohibition twist!

We are delighted to present the Martello Jazz Band whose energetic sound of hot Dixieland Jazz is set to keep your feet on the dance floor all night long.

Tantalising burlesque performances come from the talented Teezey Overeasy, Soup DuJour and Oooh I say! plus a toe-tapping dance performance from the Bellehoppers.

Add in the hottest collection of swing, jazz, r 'n' b, jive and blues tunes which will raise anyone's spirits.

So toast, drink and cheer to the start of the festive season, with a night of delight at 8 to the Bar!

Collegiate Hop

The end of prohibition is upon us!

Ladies and chaps it's the start of a new semester and that means only one event on the calendar, The Collegiate Hop!

Call in to the Black Box on Saturday 21st September for dancing, music and entertainment galore!

We’ll be spinning Hot Jazz, Ragtime, Swing, Rhythm & Blues, Western Swing and Rockabilly records from the 20s to the 50s to keep you on your toes the whole evening.

Come and learn the crazy dance of the college kids, the Collegiate Shag, in a free taster dance class at the start of the night, have your picture taken in our Photobooth for our 8 to the Bar Yearbook, and remember to bring your allowance as Jel Vintage are sure to tempt you with their stall of vintage loveliness.

And as if that wasn’t enough, we have burlesque performances from Teazy Overeazy and Mia Amore!

Gentleman's Club

Step inside the Black Box for an evening of daring and delight, as 8 to the Bar presents their first Gentlemen's Club.

Celebrating the refined debonair and the ladies who love him, this night promises to hold enticement for both.

Gaze upon the classic vintage style burlesque of Oooh I say! and Lady Caroline as they bring just the right amount of tantalising tease.

Also introducing the fast footwork of Chaps Allowed, whose slick style is sure to impress.

With a collection of the hottest swing, jazz, R&B, jive and blues tunes, as well as plenty of dance floor to let loose on, you're sure to have a night to remember.

So to all chaps and bounders and ladies who dare, don your most stylish threads and join us at the Gentlemen's Club.

8 to the Bar Easter

When you’re done rolling your eggs down the hill, hop on down to the Black Box and have some fun with the Bellehoppers.

With tunes from the 20s - 60s we’ll keep chaps & flappers and Kats & kittens stompin’ the boards till the bar runs dry.

Performances from Dapper Dee with the Bellehoppers & friends and the saucy Whistlebait Babies

Flappers and Philosophers

8 to the Bar transforms into a speakeasy straight out of Harlem!

Entertainment from Burlesque beauties Mia Amore and the Whistle Bait Babies plus dance performances from the Bellehoppers and guests.

So calling all flirtatious flappers and dapper dee's, come Charleston the evening away to hot Jazz tunes!

8 to the Bar Beach Ball

Start off the summer season in style with the return of 8 to the Bar's Beach Ball!

Dress to impress in your best vintage summer style and dance the evening away, as the beach party comes inside for one night only. The dance floor will be jumpin' to the swingin' beats of the sensational Scottzapoppin'.

Special performances from the fabulous Whistle Bait Babies and introducing the dancing duo of Declan & Jenny, who will enthrall with a elegant quickstep number.

So grab the sundress out of the wardrobe, button up the summer shirt, pop on the sunglasses and join in with the summer fun at the Beach Ball!

8 to the Bar 2nd Birthday Party

Bellehoppers cordially invite you to 8 to the Bar’s Second birthday party!

Celebrate in style with jumpin’ beats from the 20s to the 50s, spectacular moves on the dance floor plus extra birthday surprises and treats for everyone.

Special performances by the Bellehoppers, Whistle Bait Babies and more!