Bristol Rave Events

upcoming clubnight

Bristol's Rave Scene

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

You’ve seen 2 sounds clash, maybe 3, maybe 4, but 20!? Check this 3 room soundsystem insanity from Stomp Project, Hooney Tunes, Riggy Stardust, Korridor Kru and more unleashing hardtek, jungle, acid and rave subsoup with 100% of profits going directly to families in Gaza. 100% of ticket proceeds donated to Palestinian families

Sell out warning! 18 year Corsica-aged vintage dnb NRG - Double O & Mantra bring that peerless Rupture vibe rip-roaring into Trinity Centre for one night of undiluted amen heaven. Huge double headliner action with hallowed Bristol Sound alchemist DJ Krust on a ‘93 special + ‘ardkore junglist futurism from the one and only Tim Reaper. This is how you do it…. Celebrating 18 years of Rupture - the best in past, present and futuristic jungle & d&b!!

AIRHORNNNNNNN!!!! Enter the Exstatic thunderdome of breakbeat belters with the most notorious rotter in hardtek / Deathchant’s prodigal son: the DJ Producer. He’ll be on an old skool / junglist tip with a live hardware set from Rudeboy Morris and Boca’s hella authentic hardcore stylings (laced with 2024 futurism). DJ Producer dropping an Old Skool Hardcore + Jungle set!!

YESSSSSSS the filthy priests of ilicit, queer AF acid vocal anthems and haunted 808 house whip Bristol into a falsetto-drenched sweat for the first time in literally forever. Jam Jar’s promising cyberpunk decour and Soz Lad’s hard dance rotter Mollie Rush in support - huge, euphoric punk kisses from us for this look <3 Its 25 years since The Matrix was released and KB gang are doing a full on Acid Electro/House/Techno all nighter for Halloween. Ft. Acid House royalty - Paranoid London

What our editors say

“We've got one of the UK's brightest talents, the one and only I. Jordan stepping up to take us into the early hours with their signature high-energy dance music. They dropped their long awaited debut album ‘I AM JORDAN’ on Ninja Tune last year - a giddy tribute to northern dance sounds like donk and hardstyle, euphoric trance and house. The acclaimed electronic DJ and producer is known for turning up the heat with their bouncy, stomping, uptempo club sounds - so prepare to sweat!”
From: Rhythm Section's Future Proof on Tour: Bristol

“Since the introduction of acid house music to the UK in the 80s, every great rave has been built upon these four values. Though we are a long way from Kandi bracelets and cuddle puddles now, these ideas have stood the test of time and ravers still experience the community and love that is intertwined into the roots of the scene.”
From: PLURPROJECT

“Producer, DJ and 1/3 of trance trio Boy Racer, Sharpson has over 15 years of experience in the scene. With influences from UK 90's club culture, the Sharpson project concentrates on quality rave music and dance-floor fillers consisting of Trance, Electro, House and Techno. Sharpson's high-quality and versatile productions have been supported by the likes of Spartaque, KiNK, Deborah De Luca, Four Tet, DJ Gigola, and have been featured on music platforms such as BBC Radio One, Ministry of Sound, HÖR Berlin, BLANC, Rinse FM, Nialler9 and Four Four.”
From: CLUBCØRTEX: Sharpson, Belters, Rowana + Neil And I

“Over the last couple of years Milly on Air has established herself as a key player in Bristol’s underground house and techno scene. Her radiant sets blend a rich world of influences from the early roots of acid house to future facing leftfield club music. She draws from a wide and colourful musical palette spanning balearic, italo house, forgotten 90s gems, tribal percussion, progressive, trance, breakbeat and more.”
From: Sober Club: Milly on Air | Safiye | Tony Montana

“Slim Sinna - Jungle Techno warlord that has pushed the direction of Jungle Techno and rave music, Slim Sinna has played all over the rave scene, from Bangface, to Jungle Syndicate, recently signing to Hardcore Energy. Expect fresh dubs and forthcoming releases from this instrumental member of the Reactor 4 crew in this set.”
From: Reactor4 - Sierpinski, Dj Doubt, Slim Sinna & More