A guide to Bristol’s budget nights out

Something you might have heard when telling people you’re off to Bristol Uni (other than ‘Isn’t that where they filmed Skins?‘ or ‘So the Oxbridge application didn’t work out?’) is: ‘I hear it’s got an amazing music scene!’ From DJ sets under the Suspension Bridge to jazz jams, avant-folk happenings and punk basement shows with loose teeth on the floor, the city has something for every live music taste. Here are some reliable cheap (and even free) options.

The Lanes

• Free gigs
• In City Centre
• Perfect for Freshers

Last September, as a bambi-on-ice fresher unleashed on Bristol’s music scene, The Lanes was a lifesaver. Opposite Rough Trade between the city centre and Broadmead, it’s a bar, pizza place and bowling alley rolled into one. More importantly, it offers a near-constant stream of gigs with the first 150 tickets free. Keep an eye on Headfirst and you can catch post-punk, jazz, indie, psychedelic rock, punk, avant-garde and pop without spending a penny. Drinks are on the pricier side, but being in the city centre means plenty of cheaper options nearby. Missed the free ticket window? Show up early, grab a drink, bowl or play pool until the gig starts. A perfect starting point for any fresher.

The Lanes | Tom Foley The Old England

• Cheap gigs
• Free jam nights every week

Up in Montpelier (a bit off the beaten track from most first-year halls), this small pub with outdoor seating and a dark back-room stage hosts some of the most eclectic music in the city. Ever wanted to see a band with two sax players? Someone playing a saw? Or ‘Alien Doo-wop’? Punk, avant-folk and jazz acts all show up at The Old England, usually at very reasonable prices. Best for budgets is the Tuesday open mic jam run by Community Jam Collective — always fun, and a great way to discover local talent. The Uni’s Gig Society occasionally hosts here too, pulling together the strangest bands they can find (with discounts for members). Nearby, vegan café Café Kino regularly runs free jams, cheap gigs, film nights and community events.

The Old England | Tom Foley The Exchange Basement

• Cheap punk and hardcore gigs
• Cheap drinks nearby

The lesser-known underbelly of The Exchange delivers stacked punk, hardcore, thrash, crust and power-pop lineups at low prices — often a lineup of three or four bands for under £10. Expect sweaty walls, ringing ears and mosh pit bruises. The Long Bar next door does cheap drink deals, making it perfect for pre- and post-gig hangs. Cheap prices and a steady flow of alcohol make it one of the most reliable punk venues around. (Note: the basement has no wheelchair access).

The Exchange Basement | Tom Foley The Ill Repute

• Free / pay-what-you-can gigs
• Weekly open mic

Down the road from The Exchange, The Ill Repute’s rockabilly aesthetic spills out onto the street with red neon lights and a tattoo-style sign. It serves cocktails, burritos and a steady stream of affordable gigs. There’s a free open mic every other Wednesday, with performers earning a pint on the house, plus regular free or pay-what-you-can gigs. Expect rock ‘n’ roll, surf and singer-songwriter sets, but open mic nights can bring anything from spoken word to surprise genres. Drinks are on the pricier side here too.

Mr. Wolf’s

• Iconic weekly jazz open mic
• In City Centre

While jazz jams are everywhere in Bristol, none are as iconic as Donut Filler, every Wednesday at Mr. Wolf’s. Hosted by the in-house band, it draws musicians from jazz, funk, soul, hip-hop and blues into one melting pot. Being in the heart of the city makes it a perfect start or end to your night, with pubs, clubs and other venues on this list nearby.

Open Decks and Free Parties

• To the Moon – Monthly D&B open decks
• The Crown – Weekly open decks, £3 cans
• Red Lion – Monthly yard-style open decks
• The Cock and Tail – Monthly open decks with free shots, also gigs

If you’re after open decks rather than bands, Bristol delivers. In Old Market, To the Moon runs laid-back monthly liquid drum & bass open decks alongside frequent free-entry club nights. Closer to the centre, The Crown hosts open decks and open mics (‘USB’) every Monday, plus £3 cans until midnight. In Redfield, The Red Lion opens ‘Everybody’s Yard’ on the third Friday of each month for reggae, roots and groove DJs. And down in Redcliff, near The Louisiana, The Cock and Tail holds Hotwash — an open decks free party on the first Thursday of each month, complete with free shots. It’s also a solid spot for cheap live indie, alt and psych-rock gigs.

These are just starting points. Keep an eye on ticket sites like Headfirst and you’ll find plenty more. Gig Society is ideal for finding fellow gig-goers (and discounted events), while the Underground Music Society is great for anyone hunting raves and free parties. Genre societies like Rocksoc and Jazz-Funk-Soul can also point you to the right nights for your taste.

Featured Image: The Old England | Tom Foley

Where do you go for a cheap night out?