Bristol Rave Events

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Bristol's Rave Scene

Bristol has long been the South West's rave mecca with bus loads of ravers coming to hardcore nights from lesser endowed cities like Bournemouth and Bath since the nineties. At the heart of Bristol's hardcore and old skool scene has always been Lakota, the only venue (until recently) large enough for huge, multi-room raves. The venue's industrial warehouse feel and non-central location also made it popular with Bristol's free party crews who's multi-rig 'linkups' (most notably the Gener8r parties) have also made Bristol a national attraction for oldskool, mash-up and breakcore nights.

The Black Swan in Easton is Bristol's other key rave venue, attracting promoters like Mongrel (formerly at the Croft), Tiki and Avalaf. Keep an eye on Lab's listings for occasional Wrong Music events and even check Whats on at Bristol's Motion for the odd large rave event like Battlegrounds.

Bristol Rave in the time of Covid
Bristol is easily the rave capital of the west, it’s clear from just the name of Rave on Avon - a multi-day multi-venue rave event where the streets of Bristol open themselves to fans of the whole spectrum of rave: drum n bass, hardcore, trance, techno house. Bristol never descriminates! But the only raves hitting the news recently was an illegal rave - the first of its kind in Bristol to receive a £10,000. Obviously no-one would condone raving in Bristol at this time, no matter how much we want it. The question on everyone’s lips is: what will raves look like after covid? Facemasks on entry? Dwindling crowds checking track and trace apps on their phones. Let’s hope Bristol can get its rave on, in the way remember, as soon as possible.

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Our recent rave recommendations

Sell out warning! Industrial hardtek heads: if you miss EXRCISM your year was wasted. Inside the 6 hour Thunderdome: Rotterdam’s meanest Krista Bourgeois unleashing raw live modular hell, The Teknoist & Tokky Horror underground icon Mollie Rush linking for big fuck off vocal rave annihilation + 00s Deathchant / Rebelscum rotter Deathmachine inna darkside crossbreed meltdown. EXRCISM: Chapter One at The Trinity Centre.

Bristol Dub Club dials in another spesh at the immortal Kuumba with the mighty Jah Lokko veteran sound. Representing Frontline International, Jah Sufferer and Coxsone, London's undisputed dubplate king Natty Frontline links with Lokko for the first time in 40 years: rootical selections, ruffneck riddims, and heavy steppas inna community fashion! Jah Lokko & Natty Frontline – Bristol Dub Club at Kuumba Centre.

Sell out warning! Brussels club angel AZO beams in live ‘n direct with outerdimensional synths and hypnotic analog drum kicks in a slick blend of acid, prog house and funk with a healthy nod to UK hardcore. Joining her, a live debut from Queerky fam The Ribbit Itch + plenty more resident techno mutations and a dreamy cuddle puddle chill-out room. QUEERKY w/ AZO at Loco Klub.

Sell out warning! Few can claim to have bent dance music quite like A Guy Called Gerald; the architect behind Voodoo Ray and Black Secret Technology still sounds like tomorrow! Do ya homework if you haven’t already, before the Manchester mastermind locks in for a marathon all-day session, spiralling through acid house tekkers and rudeboy-funk to sci-fi jungle futurism and beyond. A Guy Called Gerald - All Day Long at Lost Horizon.

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What our editors say

“Kirsty joins techno powerhouses Teletech on their return to Bristol on her debut All Night Long tour. Expect an energy filled mix of hard techno, hardcore, hardstyle & gabber at The Clock Factory.”
From: Teletech Bristol: KIRSTY

“Fantazia returns to Bristol on the 30th August, this time for a bank holiday day rave in the brand new Document Open Air space! We're taking it back to the old school roots that built rave culture - uniting generations of ravers, DJs, MCs and music lovers under one roof for a day driven by pure energy, connection and nostalgia. From the raw warehouse atmosphere to the euphoric sounds that defined an era, this is a tribute to the nights that changed everything. Expect uplifting old school piano anthems, hardcore classics, acid house, jungle, and trance colliding with cutting edge production and sound. Let us be your fantasy.”
From: Fantazia | Document Open Air

“Expect a heavy mix of electro, acid house, hip hop, 140 and breaks. Super limited £6 early bird tickets on sale now, link in bio!! LINEUP: JPEG Sticky Phlegm DJ Chips Tangent Ed Innocent 20% off Happy Hour drinks from 10:30pm-11:30pm Come down early and support this event! Exchange has a small ramp entrance from the street. Our bar and main event space are on the ground floor with level access throughout and we have an accessible toilet. If you need any other info on accessibility, please contact [email protected]”
From: GONE FISHIN'

“SUMMER IS HERE AND IT'S TIME TO PARTY Have you suffered from seasonal depression this year? We’re here to fix that - so get your sunnies on and your flippie floppies, grab your inflatable palm tree and get to the crown on June 5th to embrace British Summertime BABYYYYYY The Crown - Bristol xoxoxo Summer 2000s pop with a silly twist Expect bootleg David Guetta with a fat beat on it Dress Code not strict but highly encouraged if ur cool: 2000s summer beach party OR 2016 throwback era Got some banging DJs for you throwing happy hardcore/silly bouncy techno and generally stupid music your way. KitKat HausWife Underside Sinko 18+ Remember your ID'S!!!!!!”
From: Notizz Summer Party

“The latest edition of 2 Bad Mice & Friends lands in Bristol and this time they invite some of the the scenes finest beat technicians for the ride!!! A multi genre night exploring Everything Rave - from acid house to old skool to jungle, DnB, and more!!!!!”
From: 2 Bad Mice & Friends