2025 see’s the return of “Independent Venue Week” – which celebrates the pubs, clubs, bars and venues that hosts everything from grassroots music, to big names, to everything in between in art, music and comedy.
Independent venues are imperative to the music industry, even more so to their local music scene, they bring in economy, a sense of belonging and more importantly, give the artists and performers one of many places they can call home.
The last few years have been challenging for venues to say the least, particularly the smaller venues, with the COVID-19 pandemic, business rate fluctuation, rising costs and closures.
Some, thankfully, have survived, until now, with difficulty, but some have sadly closed.
Independent Venue Week now more than ever highlights the need for these small venues, they may be a small cog in the wheel, but they play a huge part.
Here are a few of my favourites from across the UK, that I have personally visited and have a lot of time for…
THE LEADMILL…
The Leadmill – Sheffield – Photo Credit: Welcome to Sheffield
The Leadmill is probably the place I’ve seen the most gigs, whilst it’s future has been in question for a couple of years – it has been bringing a variety of live music, comedy and more to Sheffield since 1980, and in it’s early days hosted the likes of Oasis, Pulp and The Stone Roses to name a few, many in the early stages of their career.
It still does attract big names, in the past 12 months alone, Courteeners, Miles Kane and The Twang playing the iconic Sheffield venue.
It’s a long term staple for unsigned bands, giving them a multitude of spaces and audience sizes with decent ticket and drink prices, plus it’s a stone throw away from Sheffield Train Station for those travelling in.
An iconic venue that I hope continues to stay.
FIND THE LEADMILL ON INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // X // ONLINE
Next up we’re going over the Peak District to the North West, firstly, Liverpool.
LIVERPOOL ARTS CLUB…
Liverpool Arts Club – Photo Credit: Gigslutz
Now I’ve only actually been here once, it was part of The Lilacs tour in 2024, but I absolutely loved it as a venue.
It is small, but versatile, and tucked in and around the hustle and bustle of Concert Square, Bold Street and Fleet Street, which houses just a lot of Liverpool’s popular nightlife – it’s a decent space that you wouldn’t necessarily know it’s there.
The stage and screen backdrop is incredibly impressive for the size of the venue, whilst the standing space is small, it does offer elevated levels with more and a balcony, it would work perfectly for those intimate-medium sized shows for bands and artists.
The drink prices (in my opinion) were a little bit of the pricier side, but that said, costs are going up and I didn’t drink too much there anyway.
The whole venue had a lovely feel to it – and it’s a place I look forward to visiting again.
FIND LIVERPOOL ARTS CENTRE ON INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // ONLINE
Staying in the North West, we pop down to Manchester…
NIGHT & DAY CAFE…
Night & Day Cafe Manchester – Photo Credit: Night & Day
This is a venue that has sadly had some challenges the last couple of years, but not through any fault of their own, the people living above the venue had a real issue with the noise and caused a massive headache for the venue.
Which if you ask me, if you want a quiet life in the busy centre of Manchester, don’t buy or rent a property above a music venue, it’s common sense.
Looking on the positive side though, this stunning little venue on Oldham Street in Manchester, tucked into the popular Northern Quarter area has rightly become a staple of the music scene in the local area.
It’s had a mirage of artists, acts and more in it’s time, but they also house exhibitons, DJ’s and more – it’s a real hub of versatility packed into a little venue and it’s built a real community around the area – and pulled together in times of uncertainty.
The decor is stunning, the drink prices are reasonable for the centre of Manchester and it provides a homely feel during the day and the perfect place to find a new artist, musician or DJ at night with their impressive event listings.
FIND NIGHT AND DAY CAFE ON INSTAGRAM // X // FACEBOOK // ONLINE
Jumping back over the peaks and penines now – to Leeds, which is another hub of creativity but there’s one that stands out to me…
BRUDENELL SOCIAL CLUB…
Brudenell Social Club Leeds – Photo Credit: Gigseekr
Now again, I’ve only visited the venue once (something I’m hoping to change this year!) but I was incredibly impressed with the setup of the venue, the friendliness of the staff and the community it has built.
It has an impressive stage set up, and whilst it’s a place you can jump up and down to your favourite band, DJ or artist, be prepared to get sweaty! It gets hot in there during a gig, but that said, isn’t that the sign of a good gig out?
I quite like that it’s outside of the city centre bustle of Leeds, it offers an escape with an impressive event listing, good food, good drinks (including crisps!!!) and more.
I’m hoping to visit again this year and I am certain I’ll have a great night.
FIND BRUDENELL SOCIAL CLUB ON INSTAGRAM // X // FACEBOOK // ONLINE
Dropping down to Huddersfield now…
THE PARISH…
The Parish Huddersfield – Photo Credit: The Parish
Now whilst I spent a few months in Huddersfield (which were turbulent to say the least!) there was one consistent that I really enjoyed, and that was Parish.
A music venue upstairs, but a bar with a brilliant selection of IPA’s, beers, lagers and spirits, with some incredible eats on offer from Pizza’s to Burgers and more – it’s a brilliant all round hub for an evening out of music.
The space upstairs is small, but enough to have a good enough time watching a local or touring musician.
The sound is on point, the venue is well placed in Huddersfield and the staff are really friendly, it also boasts a number of events each week, ranging from local musicians to up and coming artists to big names.
It also has a lovely outside area that is great a summer evening gig!
One worth visiting if you’re travelling through West Yorkshire.
FIND PARISH ON INSTAGRAM // X // FACEBOOK // ONLINE
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Finally, over to North Lincolnshire…
CAFE INDIE…
Cafe Indie Scunthorpe – Photo Credit: Cafe Indie
Now I’ve been to Cafe Indie a number of times since it opened, it is a brilliant venue sitting just above the Town Centre of Scunthorpe.
It has absolutely beautiful decor and has really made the most of the space too.
It’s given a lot back to the community since opening, hosting a number of workshops, opportunities for those with disabilities and also providing a space for creativity.
The main event for me though is the music it offers, I’ve seen a lot of bands here, and it’s a small space, but it offers a lot in return.
In the past couple of years, Westview Live has been providing gig nights and all-dayers within the venue, showcasing some of the unsigned talent, which have proved to be very popular.
There is a lot to offer at Cafe Indie and I feel like there is even more potential to unlock, well worth visiting if you get the opportunity.
FIND CAFE INDIE ON INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // ONLINE
Well there you have it, there is just a handful of some of my favourite venues across the UK.
I acknowledge they’re all in the North (I’m a Northern gal through and through) but these are all venues I’ve visited and seen gigs at, drank at or even eaten at, and got the full experience from.
I am aware there are hundreds, if not thousands more venues I am yet to explore up and down the UK and beyond and I’m sure I will be adding to my evergrowing list at any given opportunity!
I’d love to hear what your favourite independent venues are – and why.
Remember, keep attending their gigs, keep supporting bands, buy their merch (and the venues) and support small local venues, without them, the music industry as a whole would significantly fall down.