Since the boat was converted to a nightclub in the 90s, the Thekla has earned its place as one of Bristol's most important music venues. Currently the Thekla is equally, if not more important to Bristol's music scene as a live music venue than a club venue.
The Thekla sits alongside Bristol Beacon and the O2 Academy as a primary Bristol gig venue. What's on at the Thekla tends to be more alternative than Bristol Beacon and debatably more interesting than the O2 Academy.
The main room is found in the ship's hold which has a large capacity and decent size stage for live music events. There's a smaller bar upstairs which clubnights at Thekla usually use as a second room.
A few key clubnights are regularly promoted at the Thekla including the breaks night Blowpop, the Hospitality drum and bass nights and more recently house and techno nights Play.
The Thekla promotes its own weekly clubnights on Mondays (Guerilla Audio) and Saturdays (We Multiply).
Brown Excellence jump aboard a transformed Thekla for another blow-out show feat live tabla in the dance + BE’s sweaty signature combo of Bollywood and Bhangra big hitters mixed w/ techno, garage and grime. Guaranteed to keep things moving til the wee hours.
The first of a special two-part Thekla series from the Brown Excellence duo
Don your party hats as Brown Excellence jump aboard a transformed Thekla for their blow-out 2nd birthday show feat live dancers, special guests and more treats teased. Plus BE’s sweaty signature combo of Bollywood and Bhangra big hitters mixed w/ techno, garage + dance beats - guaranteed to keep things moving til the wee hours.
Celebrating 2 years of becoming proud of our culture
Bristol’s premiere grimeware bazaar, Sector 7, unleash the dankest rave Thekla’s ever seen. From Eva808’s jagged, dark and detuned sub bass rumbles to rollicking DJ hyper-tech magic from Giant Swan; 140 / bass bizz and unruly riddims from head honcho Boofy, Josi Devil’s industrial dub dirges + much much more across two (boat) decks. Esssssssential doesn’t cut it!
Celebrating 10 years of the Sector 7 Sounds imprint in our favourite venue.