Rip Off

I remember back in the day visiting Rip –off clothing in search of some ‘rock t-​shirts’ and being quite shocked when I stumbled upon an Alien Sex Fiend t-​shirt. They certainly were more innocent days and back then pre-​internet and pre-‘alternative culture’ Rip Off was the only place in Belfast with the neck to stock all kinds of punk/​metal/​goth type clothing.
The shop has moved a few times since and it’s not quite the edgy place it used to be with teenage emo boys cruising around the place and checking out the Discharge and Conflict t-​shirts.
There’s a large section devoted to drugs paraphernalia… bongs etc and if you ever need a marijuana leaf flag this is your place. Apparently they also sell ‘legal’ and ‘herbal’ highs if that’s your bag.
Still a good selection of band t-​shirts, I nearly purchased a Dead Kennedys shirt before realising it was an XL and even on my ample frame it would have drowned me. If you’re in this part of town do check it out, especially on a Saturday when the ‘alt youth’ gather.
Pros: Good selection of rock/​punk/​metal posters etc
Cons: Size selection can be limited.

I’m divided by this place in a few ways. Firstly the good points.
Rip-​off is somewhere between a shop which specialises in band merchandise and a head shop. A head shop being somewhere which sells drug paraphernalia, legal substitutes and growing material for illegal drugs such as cannabis.
It’s all above board but there’s always that sense of verging into a few grey areas of legality, they don’t bother me but there’s always than sense at the back of your mind.
I’ve purchased a few band t-​shirts back in the day when that’s all I wore and they have a fairly good range and are more than happy to order things in for you. The prices are a little on the high side (no pun intended) but you get what you pay for.
On the other hand I’ve had to frequent this shop for a story and I don’t think the owners were particular happy with my candour. I asked a few probing questions and bought some legal highs to shoot for the paper. When I landed in with a photographer they were even less pleased. That said they weren’t rude and didn’t tell me where to go.
If you need something ‘herbal’ or one of a range of implements to smoke through then this is your place.

This is a shop I’d never seen before so I thought I’d take a dander in– all in the name of Unilocal!It displays novelty and rock T-​Shirts in the windows which were pretty funky looking and on offer at 3 for £20 which was quite good. Once inside the shop is a bit dingy and seems to be a head shop selling drug paraphernalia and legal highs. But they also sell music, posters, magazines and other bits and bobs.
Not really my taste but if you’re into your rock, alternative music and related things then it’s worth a visit!

This is a shop I used to go to all the time as a teenager. Now, when I was younger, the shop didn’t primarily deal in what it does now. When I was a kid it sold Alt rock hoodies and giant baggy jeans that I thought were the coolest things in all existence.
Nowadays, Rip Off is more of a head shop. these sell drug paraphernalia and ‘legal’ highs. It had moved from the previous place it was due to a fire and it appears to have left its original sales in the ashes as well.
It is quiet and dark. It is the type of shop which has regulars that like to mope about inside it. This gives it such an appearance that, even though it doesn’t sell anything illegal you would think it does.