The Jam Jar

The Jam Jar

Volunteer-led venue and live music haunt.


Known for its long open-ended jam sessions, this unique space in (you guessed) an old Jam factory on the edge of Old Market has been a well kept secret for live music fans in Bristol. Gigs are often free entry with the free-wheeling vibes of 70s loft parties but the versatile space also hosts exhibitions from local artists.

What's On At The Jam Jar

Mo' Horizons at The Jam Jar
— The Jam Jar
big beat acid jazz bossa nova world trip hop
The Asbo Disco at The Jam Jar
— The Jam Jar
uk garage drum and bass jungle reggae
Women's Production Workshop w/ Anaïs at The Jam Jar
— The Jam Jar
drum and bass lgbtq+ talks workshops & classes
Purdie Life Drawing at The Jam Jar
— The Jam Jar
lgbtq+ talks workshops & classes life drawing exhibition
Long Pose Purdie Life Drawing at The Jam Jar
— The Jam Jar
lgbtq+ talks workshops & classes life drawing exhibition
Moscow Drug Club at The Jam Jar
— The Jam Jar
jazz swing cabaret
The Love La Tour - Yemi Bolatiwa at The Jam Jar
— The Jam Jar
drum and bass R&B hip hop jazz soul
Purdie Life Drawing at The Jam Jar
— The Jam Jar
lgbtq+ talks workshops & classes life drawing exhibition
Long Pose Purdie Life Drawing at The Jam Jar
— The Jam Jar
lgbtq+ talks workshops & classes life drawing exhibition
Christmas Karaoke at The Jam Jar
— The Jam Jar
pop reggae world indie rock rap
Orchestre Tout Puissant Marcel Duchamp at The Jam Jar
— The Jam Jar
afrobeat world post-punk folk experimental
Performers Without Borders Cabaret at The Jam Jar
— The Jam Jar
cabaret
Jam Selectas - tropical rave party at The Jam Jar
— The Jam Jar
tropical techno amapiano afrobeat world
Blowin' a Hooley, a family Christmas Ceilidh at The Jam Jar
— The Jam Jar
country traditional folk folk family event
Blowin' a Hooley Christmas Ceilidh at The Jam Jar
— The Jam Jar
country traditional folk folk
Blowin' a Hooley Christmas Ceilidh at The Jam Jar
— The Jam Jar
country traditional folk folk
Purdie Life Drawing at The Jam Jar
— The Jam Jar
lgbtq+ talks workshops & classes life drawing exhibition
A Purdie Life Drawing Christmas Krampus Special at The Jam Jar
— The Jam Jar
lgbtq+ talks workshops & classes life drawing exhibition
Mohamed Errebbaa & Tagna Groove at The Jam Jar
— The Jam Jar
trance afrobeat world soul funk
Jay Terrestrial & The Firepit Collective at The Jam Jar
— The Jam Jar
punk anti-folk folk
La Bomba presents Ernesto Chahoud at The Jam Jar
— The Jam Jar
cumbia afrobeat garage rock psych funk
Buena Bristol Social Club at The Jam Jar
— The Jam Jar
salsa world
An Evening of Psy Music at The Jam Jar
— The Jam Jar
downtempo trance dub psych experimental
Samedia Shebeen at The Jam Jar
— The Jam Jar
tropical afrobeats cumbia afrobeat world
The Jam Jar Presents: Dengue Dengue Dengue at The Jam Jar
— The Jam Jar
techno footwork dub cumbia world
Pachyman   ++ at The Jam Jar
— The Jam Jar
tropical dub reggae lovers rock cumbia
Balkan Vs. Cumbia with Shantel at The Jam Jar
— The Jam Jar
dancehall cumbia world turbo folk gypsy jazz
Brass Funkeys at The Jam Jar
— The Jam Jar
new orleans jazz funk
Martha Tilston at The Jam Jar
— The Jam Jar
folk
La Dame Blanche at The Jam Jar
— The Jam Jar
dancehall reggae world hip hop
An Dannsa Dub at The Jam Jar
— The Jam Jar
dub reggae folk
Blair Dunlop at The Jam Jar
— The Jam Jar
folk
Bingo Fury at The Jam Jar
— The Jam Jar
alternative rock indie rock art rock experimental jazz
Jam on the Horizon ‘24 at The Jam Jar
— The Jam Jar
tropical dancehall cumbia afrobeat world
Pat Thomas & Kwashibu Area Band at The Jam Jar
— The Jam Jar
tropical afrobeat world

Get a feel for The Jam Jar

Our recent recommendations for The Jam Jar

Beirut’s most infamous crate-digger, Ernesto Chahoud has the rarest of rare groove and the most ethio-jazz smarts in the Middle East. Catch him fling psychedelic cumbia or euphoric tarab across the dancefloor like it was bread to the pigeons. La Bomba presents Ernesto Chahoud at The Jam Jar.

Freewheeling cultureclash orchestra traversing free jazz, post-punk highlife and minimalist classical with transcendental results. Think Sonic Youth + Glen Branca’s downtown NY guitar ensemble covering Fela Kuti and you’re not even close (maybe Sons of Kemet raiding the Philip Glass’ songbook is closer…but you’ll have to see for yourself). Orchestre Tout Puissant Marcel Duchamp at The Jam Jar.

Jazz-pop perfection somewhere between Stanlaey, t l k and Jessie Ware; Stevie Toddler’s grooving double bass and unforgettable melodies float her gracefully to the top echelons of Bristol’s nu-jazz scene. Stevie Toddler w/ Dr Chonk & The Nature Injection at The Jam Jar.

A cross-cultural masterclass from Robert Plant + Jah Wobble journeyman Justin Adams and CGS vocalist/violinist/percussionist Mauro Durante. Expect everything from Delta blues to Maghreb trance to Puglian folk dance, seamlessly woven into meditative rhythms and primordial laments. Global roots music: Saharan blues, Maghreb laments & uplifting Mediterranean folk dances

The Nas co-signed Coops bringing his Native Tongues-inflected, Tottenham-bred hazy boom-bap back to Bristol. Pure gold FFO: Kofi Stone, Black Josh, Lord Apex, Mobb Deep, Mouse Outfit. Home Grown E.P Launch Party