The Canteen
Seriously popular Bristol venue with free gigs every night.
Thankfully surviving lockdown, the Canteen is still a centre point of the Stokes Croft live music scene: 5 nights a week of the best free* music on the most vibrant street in Bristol (*£5 entry fee after 9:30pm Fri & Sat)
Since it's launch in 2009 The Canteen (part of the Hamilton House Arts Space) has become seriously popular, so much so that it's fair to expect queues on both Friday and Saturday nights. The Canteen is a multifunctional meeting space, it is neither predominantly a restaurant nor a music venue, however arguably succeeds in both of these roles.
With regards to gigs at the Canteen you can find some of Bristol's best bands and entry is always free (see our free live music in Bristol page for more).
The atmosphere (gig wise) can depend on whats on at The Canteen in Bristol, bearing in mind that many patrons will not be there specifically for the live music. That said the quality of musicians booked by the Canteen is seriously high so be sure to check the listings.
Since it's launch in 2009 The Canteen (part of the Hamilton House Arts Space) has become seriously popular, so much so that it's fair to expect queues on both Friday and Saturday nights. The Canteen is a multifunctional meeting space, it is neither predominantly a restaurant nor a music venue, however arguably succeeds in both of these roles.
With regards to gigs at the Canteen you can find some of Bristol's best bands and entry is always free (see our free live music in Bristol page for more).
The atmosphere (gig wise) can depend on whats on at The Canteen in Bristol, bearing in mind that many patrons will not be there specifically for the live music. That said the quality of musicians booked by the Canteen is seriously high so be sure to check the listings.
What's On At The Canteen
— The Canteen
alternative pop
electronic
funk
indie rock
festival
— The Canteen
contemporary jazz
funk
jazz
pop
Get a feel for The Canteen
Our recent recommendations for The Canteen
Savage folk from a one-man-band
Free entry! The Riot Act crew get PROUD with a stuffed-to-the-brim cabaret of comics, clowns and high-flying circus carnage.... they’re stretching our word count with all these goodies, with highlights including: Fella’s one-night resurrection of papier-mâché menace Mr Big Head, an interactive clown-barista/Pierce Brosnan romance via Alistair Aitcheson + Kate & Frankie’s silly, sexy, worm-fuelled acrobatics.
Clowning chaos. Punk poetry mayhem. Circus insanity and Stand-up galore.
Free entry (before 9:30)! So Carnival’s not not (not?) happening this year… at least one thing we’ll know for sure, there’ll be some St Paul’s heritage dubwise at The Canteen from Bristol’s Roots Ambassadors. Chewing Glass rig up the place with Ras Kama at the controls and Aqua Levi chanting down the mic as always. Unstoppable!
CGC Sound System are proud to announce a carnival special featuring Bristol roots/dub veterans: NEGUS MELODY!
Kasai Masai pulse with raw joy and cultural pride, spinning Congolese folkloric traditions into bright, rhythmic soukous and rumba. Rewire your brain with these UK ambassadors, then hit the 'floor with Vookoo serving electrifying highlife and afrofunk 'til late - unstoppable heat FFO: Madalitso Band, Santrofi, King Sunny Ade.
Rumba and Soukous
Borderless sonic brilliance from Levantine psych-funk fusioneers Tashkezar, packing out The Canteen with a searing live set of bouzouki shredding, synth squiggles and Mariam Ali’s hypnotising vocal presence. A dizzying highlight from Erratic Batting’s big January birthday celebrations; fans of BaBa ZuLa and Altın Gün shouldn’t be anywhere else!
Egyptian Psych Funk, Baladi Funk, Cosmic Fusion