Music Venues in Bradford

Carmel Smickersgill, Tours & Activities Editor

As with most of the North, Bradfordians love a good gig, whether it’s a big name touring or a local tribute act – and if the time and place are right, you can guarantee an incredible atmosphere. As a city without an arena, Bradford has the benefit of more intimate gig spaces. You can often catch household names on tour in a cosier venue, making for a more personal experience. We’ve rounded up some of our recommended music venues in Bradford to help inform your night out.

Quirky spaces where you can easily find local talent and a good pint

St. George’s Hall is the go to place for big names in the city centre; over the years the venue has hosted all kinds of acts, from Paul Weller to the Orchestra of Opera North, to Mumford and Sons to David Bowie. The Hall refuses to be defined by genre or style and has recently undergone an £8.5 million refurbishment.

As a relatively new arrival to Bradford, Fuse is a multidisciplinary arts space where amongst live music you can also catch film screenings, live art and DJ sets. It’s the place where you’ll see new music, new voices in the DJ world and acts you’d usually find on the festival circuit. Nightrain and the Underground, too, both bring a plethora of live bands and club nights to Bradford’s nightlife scene. These quirky spaces are somewhere you can easily find local talent and a good pint – everything you’d want from a quality Yorkshire night out.

If you’re keen to leave the city for an evening, Black Dyke Mills Heritage Venue is a small slice of calm in the nearby town of Queensbury. This converted Mill Floor is the DIY venue of dreams, with a regular selection of touring folk acts and an ethos for promoting contemporary song writing. You can sink into one of their sofas with a local pint and a homemade bake whilst letting the music wash over you.

Scroll down to read more about our top picks for music venues in Bradford.

Our top picks

St George’s Hall, Bradford

St George’s Hall, Bradford, Bridge Street, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD1 1JT - Visit now

Bradfords flagship music venue, St Georges Hall has been bring the best touring talent to Bradford since the 19th Century. 

St George's Hall
Courtesy of Bradford Theatres

The Underground

The Underground, 9 Duke Street, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD1 3QR - Visit now

The Underground Bradford opened its doors in 2016 and has since been bringing the best of rock, indie, pop and big nights to the Bradfordians. 

the underground
Courtesy of The Underground

Black Dyke Mills Heritage Venue

Black Dyke Mills Heritage Venue, Brighouse Road, Queensbury, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD13 1QA - Visit now

The Black Dyke Mills Heritage Venue is an exciting community space where you can see live music, exhibitions and events. Run by the community for the community, it’s the closest a venue will feel to someone’s front room. 

black dyke mills
Courtesy of Black Dyke Mills Heritage Venue

Fuse Art Space

Fuse Art Space, 7 Rawson Place, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD1 3JP - Visit now

Fuse is a young and exciting venue where multidisciplinary art forms meet a full spectrum of live performance, this dynamic space is broadening the artistic minds of Bradford and beyond. 

fuse
Fuse Art Space

Nightrain

Nightrain, 7-19 Queensgate, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD1 1RB - Visit now

Nightrain is a rock bar and live music venue in the heart of Bradford city centre. Live music can be enjoyed every weekend, along with a jukebox, pool and darts.

Nightrain
Courtesy of Nightrain

Caroline Street Social Club

Caroline Street Social Club, Caroline Street, Saltaire, West Yorkshire, BD18 3JZ - Visit now

Caroline Street Social Club brings together musicians, dancers, thespians and bingo players, in a club where live performance, real ale and a warm welcome are never out of fashion. 

Caroline street social club
Courtesy of The Live Room at Saltaire

Where to go in Bradford

Salts Mill
Bradford
Gallery
Hockney 1853 Gallery

For a David Hockney fan, this is the place to be. Visit this lesser known gem for access to the beautiful collections of legendary David Hockney.

Bradford
Gallery
Tinker Gallery

Ilkley’s contemporary art gallery, set up by artist Joanne Tinker, is a studio space in combination with a gallery.

Bradford
Theatre
Ilkley Playhouse

The Playhouse has a well established season of productions, also used as a venue for events, including the popular Ilkley Literature Festival.

Bradford
Tourist Attraction
Victoria Hall

Saltaire’s Victoria Hall is a beautiful 15th century Italian inspired building first opened to the public in 1871.

Bradford
Bar or Pub
SALT Beer Factory

SALT Beer Factory, named after the village of Saltaire where they first began, pride themselves making delicious craft beer for those who love it.

Bradford
Theatre
Tapestry Arts

Tapestry Arts is a live-music venue and bar, arts complex and theatre all rolled into one.

Bradford
Restaurant
Paratha Box

The flaky, buttery flatbread of Partha Box has opened in Bradford – to the joy of all those local.

Bradford
Restaurant
SakkuSamba

Japanese sushi meets Brazilian Grill in a fantastic melding of cuisine. This gem in Bradford is not only quirky in concept but delicious in execution.

Bradford
Museum
Bagshaw Museum

‘Eclectic’ is the name of the game at the Bagshaw Museum in Batley. Their collections are varied but not lacking in quality.

Bradford
Museum
Bolling Hall

Tucked away in a quiet, leafy garden, Bolling Hall Museum is full-to-the-brim with the history of its residing families.

Bradford
Gallery
Cartwright Hall Art Gallery

Cartwright Hall is Bradford’s civic art gallery and offers an exciting programme of contemporary exhibitions, with four permanent galleries.

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