The best small UK music venues: readers’ travel tips
Winning tip: The Old Cinema Launderette, Durham
A retro-style launderette and coffee house by day, this is a bar and gig venue by night – it also used to be a tiny cinema. The acts are from all over the world, and strong in their field of music. Very enjoyable folk and acoustic nights are so intimate that you’re literally on stage with a musician and a washing machine.• oldcinemalaunderette.comClaire Galloway
St Pancras Old Church, London After queuing, we were welcomed in and pointed to the bar – cans of beer on a trestle table. The little church is beautiful. Great gig – My Darling Clementine, featuring guitarist Martin Belmont, a founder member of Graham Parker & the Rumour. Hank Wangford was in the crowd. All for £15, with the added bonus of sitting in on a bench in the churchyard that states: “John, Paul, George and Ringo sat here during their mad day out in 1969.”• posp.co.uk/stpancras-old-churchChris
Ashburton Arts Centre, Devon
The little town’s Methodist chapel was bought by its community and converted into an arts centre, now run by volunteers. You wouldn’t know it from the programme: everything from dance to orchestra to jazz and acoustic guitar. I love sitting at a small candlelit table metres from the performers. Or peering down from the gallery of this old chapel building. Beth Rowley was a recent mellow highlight and another night the crowd loved dancing to the 17-piece Dockside Latin Orchestra. • ashburtonarts.org.ukSuzy
The Big Comfy Bookshop, Coventry Walls of books make for great acoustics and Michael the owner curates a really exciting line-up for his Comfy Acoustic nights. He has an eye for the hottest up-and-coming acts, bringing them to an intimate 50-seat venue. Michele Stodart, Kathryn Williams, Ferris & Sylvester and Jade Bird have all graced this standard-lamp-lit corner. • thebigcomfybookshop.co.ukKaren Adlard
The Old Court, Windsor
Recently caught Joolz Jones and his step-grandad Donovan (yes, Sunshine Superman himself) at The Old Court in Windsor. Small but rockin’ dance floor, great acoustics, seats in a balcony looking down on it all. There’s also a small stage near the bar out front that hosts guitarists, small jazz/piano ensembles and more.• oldcourt.orgTom
Stereo, Glasgow
When it comes to Glasgow, everyone knows about King Tut’s – and rightly so. But there are many other great small venues, such as Mono, Broadcast, the Hug and Pint and Nice ‘N’ Sleazy, but the best is Stereo. It’s right in the middle of town, with a great bar and vegan restaurant, and the underground space has good sound, grungy atmosphere and that special something. It also has the feel of a secret club, hidden away up a cobbled lane. • stereocafebar.comGordon Brown
Farmers Arms, Penzance
The live music here is great (and free!), the background music is always awesome, the drinks are a good price, and the landlord and staff are lovely. Live music is on so often you could drop in at almost any time and find someone good to listen to. • On FacebookMorgan Hamilton-Jones
The Deaf Institute, Manchester
This live venue just off Oxford Road is split over three floors, and gigs are in the first-floor ballroom, with its domed ceiling and gothic wallpaper. It hosts a range of upcoming bands that span a wide section of musical tastes. Get down the front or watch from benches at the back. Either way, you will feel connected at this great venue. Trof provides the food, which is healthy and good value. • thedeafinstitute.co.ukIan Richardson
The Salty Dog, Northwich
This is the best independent music bar in the north. Upcoming gigs include Déjà Vega and it also hosted Mark Radcliffe’s band earlier this year. It’s curated by owner Chris Mundie, the former drummer with the Business. He has a great line-up of beers and there are no TVs in the place. Visit – you won’t be disappointed.•salty-dog.co.ukClaire Sawyer
Green Door Store, Brighton
Directly under Brighton’s railway station, this place always has an eclectic mix of musical styles and friendly staff. I had a brilliant, eccentric, Kate Bush-themed night with friends for a birthday recently. Good sound system, wide choice at the bar, cobbles as a dance floor not the most forgiving but a really enjoyable night out. • thegreendoorstore.co.ukSilvio Bukbardis
Creature Sound, Swansea
This is a grassroots music venue with a passion for community at its core. It puts on live music but also supports local bands and people by providing recording facilities, a place for the homeless to get clean and feel valued, and many other community projects. It’s all run by a dedicated team of volunteers.• On FacebookDavid Malpass
Green Note, Camden
Downstairs it’s so intimate you may end up with the singer in your lap. Upstairs you can find Bernard Butler jamming with the Magic Numbers in front of an audience of 30. Often only around £10 a ticket. But don’t go. Leave it to me. •greennote.co.ukNick Armstrong