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
Calling all queer weirdos for the last PLU of 2026! We're back at the Island, this time joined by French underground dance rebel Chloé. Setting the pace since the 90s, Chloé weaves transcendental sets that bounce seamlessly and sweatily through a techno-pop landscape of her very own making. Miss at your peril!
PLU Dance w/ Chloe at The Island.
Sell out warning! Oh my! The dubwise line-up of the year just dropped and it IS as seismic as we dreamed: UK steppas royalty Vibronics and Dubkasm at the controls with INSANE lyrical niceness from Ariwa staple Macka B and ragga chat legend Solo Banton. With King Original's patented bassweight and Bristol's owngyal Sash Steppa to boot, this is a Teachings for the ages!
SATURDAY : THE W/ENDER : TID 19 x MEDi 20 at The Trinity Centre.
Big, peachy one for the next session down at Love Inn. Master of heady minimal / deep-house expressionism, Parris has proven himself to be an indisputable deep-diggin’ don on the decks. Expect a an absolute romp through pastel dubz, looping house euphorics and weirdosphere sub-loaded clatter.
Peach Discs w/ Parris, Daisy Moon + Gramrcy at The Love Inn.
“With an image of looking like a crusty chav punk love child lost down a trippy rabbit hole, this unique soundsystem collective crew will continue to further the evolution of rave music and events and cannot be missed.”
From: New age Collective Crusty Raver tour
“Suffolk's home grown hero's SMK come down for their Bristol debut with a big stack to link up with hard hitters, Coreligula, pushing things nothing but raw and dirty since day dot. Pure fuckin gabber, hardcore, hardstyle and tekno. When you want something different and real to the sound, you can always count on us to provide.”
From: SMK x Coreligula presents a night of hard fuckin music
“For those unfamiliar, Ruf Dug is a selector and unofficial music professor who's been honing his craft since the early 90s, gracing the likes of Houghton, Panorama Bar and Burning Man over the years. His curveball selections sit somewhere at the crossroads of acid house, disco, soul, Detroit electro and all sorts of wonderful oddities. Expect a masterclass in eclectic and fearless ear candy.”
From: Pharmacy Project
“NFI presents… ATTIC ATTACK, featuring BASSCAT, AXJ, ONRE, HEY JUDE, DJUSTICE. A display of all styles of rave music culture including disco, house, garage, 140 and drum & bass. Taking place at the psychedelic Full Moon and Attic Bar in Stokes Croft, Bristol.”
From: NFI presents… Attic Attack
“A multi-stage show with 4 STAGES, with 3 stomping grounds inside where wicked DJ’s will be mixing genres from 4x4, donk, bassline and hard tek featuring some of your favourite artists in bassline, donk, hardstyle, hardtek and more such as Hang The DJs, B.UNQ, Darth Leng b2b Riguana, Venz, The Third Nipple & More!”
From: The UnUsual Suspects - Halloween Weekender pt. 1