Regular Club gigs
The BeBop Club
First up because it’s been going so long. Musician-run club presenting Bristol-based bands and high class visitors every week (with Summer break). Current home is in the Hen and Chicken in Bedminster on Thursdays. Yes, it’s a back room of a pub, but a classy pub (decent food too) and a very nice, new-built back room. A model jazz club although occasionally one wishes they had a real piano. (photo courtesy the BeBop club)
Dates and band details here.
Fringe Jazz at the Bristol Music CLub
OK, now it gets confusing. Promoter Jon Taylor used to put gigs on in bars in Clifton, starting with the Bristol Fringe pub (see below) in Princess Victoria Street. Post-pandemic, he moved to the nearby Bristol Music Club, a little-known Bristol institution with an excellent performance room, good piano, and bar. He still promotes under the “Fringe Jazz” banner, though, while the Fringe Bar still has its own gigs, so do double check any dates that catch your eye.
Gigs are on Wednesday nights, with a long Summer break, and feature local favourites (Moscow Drug Club, James Morton), and classy visitors (Paul Dunmall, Huw Warren, Art Themen, Dave Newton are all regulars.) Gigs listed here. They indicate bookings farther ahead than some places, so you can plan ahead.
Fringe in the Round
A monthly effort (first Tuesday): musician-run club bringing occasional touring groups and visitors from Birmingham and Cardiff to Bristol, along with local bands who are likely to be trying out new stuff. The back room of the Bristol Fringe pub (see above) is small and very atmospheric and for these nights the seating is arranged as the name suggests so you are close to being part of the band. Often a purely acoustic gig (yay). Get there early to secure one of the comfier seats.
Details here.
There are other occasional gigs at the Fringe, too, with a more conventional seating arrangement, listed here, as well as gigs in the bar…
El Rincon
A small Tapas bar in Bedminster (round the corner from the Tobacco Factory) that punches above its weight musically thanks to Thursday night gigs programmed by trumpeter Pete Judge. Details here.
The Greenbank
Very nice gastropub and community hub in Easton, home to a monthly residency for the formidable piano trio Yetii, often with guests. Usually Thursday nights. Join Yetii’s mailing list for early notice of gigs and a chance for a discounted ticket if you’re quick.
The trio’s drummer Alex Goodyearhas recently begun his own series at the same venue (yes, the pub has a function room upstairs) around once a month on a Friday.
Speakeasy Jazz Club
Well-supported sessions held roughly once a month at Clarence House in Portishead. Dates are shared on Facebook here.
Flamingo Club
A relatively new date hosted on the Grain Barge in Hotwells, “monthly and ad hoc” it says here.
Bristol Jazz Club
Slightly unhelpfully named new date billed as follows: “a monthly evening of vibrant live music in the beautiful and sophisticated art deco surrounds of The Architect, Bristol’s design Led cocktail and wine bar on the Harbourside”. First Wednesday each month.
Cotham Club
A monthly music night here, at Cotham Parish Church on a Friday night, often jazzy, always danceable.
Bristol Bootlegger
One of a chain of themed bars that feature jazz in a “speakeasy” atmosphere… No gigs listed when this list was compiled, but that may be due to Summer break?