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
dub
reggae
roots reggae
rock steady
ska
Get a feel for The Canteen
Our recent recommendations for The Canteen
Free entry! Ya Freshness lets rip on the original rudeboy boss sound with a proper authentic, highly danceable take on classic Jamaican ska and UK two-tone culture. Expect ecstatic live energy, skanking feet, skronking brass and lyrical calls for unity. Essential FFO: the Skatalites, Prince Buster, the Special, Madness etc.
Ya Freshness + X-Ray Ted at The Canteen.
Free entry! One of Bristol’s most consistent new star-gazing psych units steps up for a deserved headline slot full of hypnotic kosmische pulse, epic eldritch jams and proggy transcendence. New local favs FFO: Minami Deutsch, (Swedish) Goat, Can, Slift.
Hypnotic world-infused psych from Bristol
Catch the absolute Queen of the Brazillian dancehall scene for £0 at the Canteen. Ain’t every day this happens, but Lei Di Dai’s singular rudegyal style’s set to light up Europe with sprinkles of jungle, reggaeton and baile madness thrown into the grinderrrrrrrr. Lei eats Beiber for breakfast, ladys to the front!
Jamaican music, Brazilian flow, positive lyrics and dancing beats in the vibrations of Reggae, Dancehall, Dub, Rub-a-Dub, Jungle and Dnb.
Free entry! Ya Freshness lets rip on the original rudeboy boss sound with a proper authentic, highly danceable take on classic Jamaican ska and UK two-tone culture. Expect ecstatic live energy, skanking feet, skronking brass and lyrical calls for unity. Essential FFO: the Skatalites, Prince Buster, the Special, Madness etc.
Rude boy singer Ya Freshness + top ranking outfit lets rip with a thrillingly original take on 60s and 70s ska.
Soundsystem solidarity from Chewing Glass Soundsystem’s road-tested metallic subs. Another PWYC affair after their roadblock session with Gorgon Sound, raising cash for Red Crescent Society with live riddims and mixing desk mastery from Panadub.
Join CGC Sound in raising money for the humanitarian crisis in Palestine