The venue, which features a bespoke Hatchett Sound rig, is a first-of-its-kind for the city

A new hi-fi listening bar, Music Room, is set to open in Belfast. The space will officially launch on Wednesday 1st July. 

Situated on Church Street, the project has been conceived by local DJ and creative OJ Wilson, and is positioned as Belfast’s first dedicated audiophile space. The venue will host music-focused programming alongside a range other events, with plans to establish itself as a new cultural hub.

Music Room’s sound system has been designed by West Cork-based Hatchett Sound, and features its SEOS waveguide, B&C components, a 10-inch coaxial speaker array with handmade drivers, Volt loudspeakers, and dual 12-inch reflex subwoofers. The team are also collaborating with Marion Hawkes’ Sound Advice record store on a pop-up vinyl offering inside the venue.

“There wasn’t one single venue that inspired the concept. It was more the feeling that I experienced travelling through cities like Dublin, Paris and Ibiza,” Wilson shared. “It was spending time in these intimate spaces across Paris that made me realise how powerful bespoke environments could be in shaping the guest experience. The blend of personalised service, understated charm and almost secretive atmosphere sparked a new vision for the kind of hospitality I wanted to create.

“Belfast has an incredible musical identity and a deep connection to electronic music culture, yet there is currently no dedicated intimate listening space where music, sound and atmosphere are truly at the centre of the experience,” he continued. “There’s a growing appetite for more intentional, music-led spaces. It’s not necessarily about slowing down, but more a shift away from one-size-fits-all venues. People want places with personality, where the atmosphere, music and overall experience feel considered and genuinely immersive.”

Follow Music Room on Instagram for updates on the launch.

Earlier this year, nightlife campaign Free The Night launched legal action against the government of Northern Ireland for its failure to take on recommendations from an independent review of venue and alcohol licensing laws, which are to be Europe’s most prohibitive. Prior to this, DJ Mag published a feature on the rise of “premium auditory experience” listening bars across European cities. You can also watch a documentary about audiophile culture in Tokyo, Japan here.