Bristol Techno Nights

upcoming clubnight

Bristol's Techno Scene

Techno is a big deal in Bristol, book the right names or build a strong enough reputation and you’re gonna need a seriously big club to keep everyone happy. And so Bristol has Motion, masterfully converted into a 1200+ capacity nightclub from derelict warehouse via a skatepark. If Motion is Bristol’s techno castle then there’s no denying Just Jack is king. Reigning for over a decade, Just Jack have enough programming muscle to pull names like Ricardo Villalobos and Omar S. If there’s a secret to the ultimate big-room techno experience, then Motion knows it.

On the other hand, if there’s a secret to healthy techno scene, then Bristol has totally nailed it. While tickets for Just Jack, Apex and Tribe of Frog may sell in their thousands, some of Bristol’s most forward thinking techno nights have capacities for just one or two hundred. The Prison Cells at The Island have become an unlikely home to some of the most adventurous dance music in Bristol. Promoters like Room 237 and Timedance are putting out challenging and thought-provoking line-ups with past guests including the likes of Surgeon, Untold, Asusu and Helena Hauff.

If techno had a spiritual home in Bristol, it would be Lakota. With 4 rooms, a back-to-basics yard and a pair of coroners courtrooms for larger events, Lakota is Bristol’s ultimate techno playground. The venue has found favour with pervasive promoters including the electro-techno focused Get Born and bass techno masters Wide Eyes.

Amongst the city’s resident house music djs, many of Bristol’s best techno djs regularly play Bristol’s smaller clubs and bars. Dojos, The Love Inn, The Doghouse and the Small Horse Inn to name a few.

Buy tickets for techno events in Bristol

Our recent techno recommendations

Mamba Negra’s Cashu has been on the international club circuit for a hot minute as a key pillar of Sao Paulo’s queer club scene. Her electrifying sound melds raw machine-like techno, dripping acid and slow-burning electro, threaded through the lens of Brazilian percussion and fiery broken beats. Impeccable action FFO: Bad Sista, Valesuchi, LSDXOXO, Deena Abdelwahed. PDR Pres. Cashu , AÆE + Lolli at The Love Inn.

Free entry! Probably the best clubnight / pubnight in St George’s, Hexagain whips up an acid heatwave with We’re Going Deep bossman Placid alongside Spinthief’s stutterin’, cinematic electro slammers. Casual BS5 braindance action FFO: Radioactive Man, Tin Man, Clone Recs, The Black Dog. One year around the sun for Hexagain and the original DJ crew return...

Melbourne’s sonic shifter Pugilist lands in Bristol with a heady swirl of euphoric dub-techno and dreamlike soundscapes, perfectly timed with his latest debut solo album on Ruff Kutz. He’s in step with local club maestro Monika Taneska, bringing tripped-out prog tech house and trance-tinged grooves built for the late late hours. Pugilist lands at The Love Inn as part of his first UK/EU tour.

Is this the most fucked up Legowelt emission since the warlock first fired up a Commodore? Zorlock’s throwing some amen breaks and 8 bit digidub down the wormhole of the analogue-GOAT's refried acidverse alongside Zancudo Berraco’s industrial modular frenzy – catch us gawping by the gear table. Outta sight FFO: Jahtari, Om Unit x SKRS, Rephlex, the Equinox Amiga demos. Big live club music session as Sound Sensitivity Program bring the almighty Awassa Soundsystem. Letting loose mystical Dutch acid house & electro don Legowelt (under his Zorlok Comressor guise), plus screwball modular techno madman Zancudo Berraco and kaliedoscopic throwdowns from avulgaris & Dewalt DCD. Acid / techno / electro / dub

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What our editors say

“On July 17th Crack returns to its hometown at the incredible new Sawmills for a special show featuring two generational electronic music icons. Fresh from announcing their collaborative album Exhale, and having forged a musical relationship behind the decks at very select events in the last few years, we are suer proud to be bringing Italian legend Donato Dozzy and hometown hero Batu together for a four hour back to back – their first in Bristol. A truly essential show for fans of both artist's signature styles, this is a musical relationship that takes in the techno adjacent spectrum to its fullest and will no doubt be a truly mind-bending sonic journey.”
From: Crack presents Donato Dozzy B2B Batu + Support

“Celebrate my birthday in style at The Queens Head pub with an electrifying day of disco, techno, and breakbeat. The soundtrack moves unapologetically between genres, blending timeless grooves with cutting-edge beats to keep the dancefloor alive. Expect a vibrant atmosphere, great drinks, and a crowd ready to move all night. Whether you're into funky rhythms or underground energy, this party promises an unforgettable mix of sounds and celebrations. Line up: The Ballbreaker Lean Allmighty Rubn Delarhythm More TBC”
From: Summer B-Day Party

“JC & OG b2b all night long Wafters and rollers of the finest quality from start to finish. Jonny Chorley and Ongo Gablogian have been playing together for a decade now, mostly blessing afters sessions deep into the morning, with a bottomless bag of top-tier tech-house, deep house ("music"), groovy techno, and tasteful-but-slightly-naughty garage. Bring your two-stepping shoes and your floppy wrists. £5 OTD 10-3”
From: STH: Jonny Chorley b2b Ongo Gablogian

“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

“Control Freak lands in Bristol once again, this time with Naarm-based DJ & producer Pugilist in tow. With a prolific output spanning all shades of bass music, dub, jungle & techno - don’t miss a rare chance to see this sub-pressure technician on UK soil, joined by label founders/residents Control Freak and local mainstay Monika Taneska.”
From: Control Freak Recordings: Pugilist & Monika Taneska