SESH

S13 Warehouse in Belfast, Ireland, was a groundbreaking nightclub and multi-purpose creative space that left a lasting mark on the city’s music and arts scene. Housed in a vast, repurposed B&Q warehouse on the Boucher Road in South Belfast, S13 first opened its doors in 2017 as a temporary project run by the creative social enterprise, the Culture Night Belfast team (known as the team behind Creativity NI). The concept behind S13 was to create an inclusive, experimental space that went beyond just nightlife, incorporating visual art installations, skateboarding, theatre, breakdancing, and community workshops alongside its signature club nights.

The venue quickly garnered a reputation as a vital catalyst for youth culture and underground music in Belfast, providing a platform for both emerging and established talent. Its industrial aesthetics, unique layout, and huge capacity set it apart from other local venues, making S13 both a desirable destination for clubbers and an attractive stop for touring electronic and alternative artists. The cultural significance of S13 extended beyond music, as it became a flagship symbol of regeneration and creative collaboration in a part of Belfast not traditionally associated with nightlife.

Although the S13 project was always intended as a temporary takeover, its closure in late 2018, due to the expiration of the warehouse lease and ongoing redevelopment in the area, was met with disappointment from the community. Nonetheless, its legacy continues to inspire pop-up events and grassroots clubs looking to replicate the energy and inclusiveness of the original. Over its short but influential lifespan, the structure and layout of S13 evolved to accommodate a diverse range of events, continually reimagining the possibilities of post-industrial urban space.

Notable artists who performed at S13 Warehouse included international names such as Bicep, Helena Hauff, Ben UFO, Denis Sulta, and Mella Dee. The venue also played host to a wealth of local talent, including Hammer, Timmy Stewart, Schmutz, Holly Lester, and Twitch DJs, cementing its status as a cornerstone of Belfast’s vibrant electronic music community.