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.
Buy tickets for rave events in Bristol
Our recent rave recommendations
When the sheriff’s away the outlaws come out to play, so saddle up and get shining those spurs for this immersive Wild West rave showdown. We've not seen anything like this in the club before: two-tunnels of hi-NRG countrycore stompers, live harmonica splurge-pop and rural serenades + cowboy questing, duels and interactive walkabout. Yeeehaw!
Stamp On Em presents: A Messy Western at Loco Klub.
Amen breaks for all! Resident at Swansea’s heroically named The Wob Mob, hardcore special agent and 160 connoisseur Grace Wolfe heads up Safe As F*ck’s next oldskool blowout. The golden era rave euphoria continues with a 3-hour odyssey from DJ Doubt + DJ Them topped off by Samurai Sounds’ Narad on the propa jungle stew.
Bringing the 90s sound to 2026!
Love Inn inna local dnb royal rumble! DJ Flynn’s in the building treating you to a special set of intricate jazzy rollers from Bristol’s most loved jungle power duo (RIP Flora), alongside 90s V-Recordings / Reprazent journeyman DJ Suv, current crowned princess of the nu-skool Deselecta + Ethics keeping the mic warm.
Back down the Inn for another night of their signature stylez
Worldwide FM’s Santa Leticia beams in with a goodie bag of sun-kissed sounds to nurture your soul and get your body moving. Expect cumbia, jazz, funk and disco gems from the Andalusian selectora as she steers the cosmic groove spaceship for La Bomba’s next transmission.
Vibrant sounds of the Caribbean, Africa & Latin America
More Photos of Bristol Rave Events
What our editors say
“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
“Curated by local DJs Janus and Lomare, this day is all about inclusive, welcoming vibes and top-tier dance music. Expect a genre-spanning journey designed to bring people together on the dancefloor. - Event Details Join us at The Cider Box on Friday 27th February, from 19:00 to 03:00 - CELINE DIJON - Party starter and founder of Get On Festival, Celine Dijon brings high-energy, genre-spanning bangers to the dance floor. With a wicked Voices Radio show under his belt, expect acid house, disco, and everything in between.”
From: Blue Marbles
“CAPTAIN CHAOS - happy hardcore galore One third of the Wronguns Crew, and a fifth of the Full Power Party Crew, Captain Chaos is leading our ship of villains into the flamboyant waters of Happy Hardcore making stops on bubble washed shores and lands of fun and frivolity. With high octane bouncy tunes, he will be rocking the boat with a dancefloor of stomping feet and bringing chaos to the crew!”
From: DEADLY NIGHTS
“SPICE RANGER: Spice Ranger brings a variety of harder styles from 160-200bpm. Expect tek, drum and bass, hardstyle and donk remixes of 2000's pop tune bangers. Make sure you're ready to stomp your feet and sing along!”
From: Stoopid Events #001: For the Love of Donk
“Intimate venue, legendary DJs, large-scale production This night will be a full on musical education. Five DJs back-to-back all night long, armed with records from across the spectrum of 90's rave music!”
From: Elysium : Louise Plus One B2B Hughesee B2B Interlude - All Night Long