The Basement
Ian Jones, Food and Drink Editor
The Basement is an events space found underneath the City Screen cinema right in the very heart of York, on the main shopping street. The intimate 100 capacity venue hosts a varied range of events including live music, poetry, comedy and theatrical productions that are small in scale but big in terms of thought-provoking entertainment.
Based just off the River Ouse, The Basement is the ultimate place to find cutting edge music and comedy. Perhaps it’s somewhere for young people to escape mum and dad for a few hours – or vice versa. Visiting musicians have included famous acts from the world of indie-pop such as Romeo Stodart of The Magic Numbers, as well as local and international jazz artists. Best of all, fans can expect to get up close and personal with the stars in this intimate venue.
Comedy offerings include The Delightful Sausage, Fern Brady and Laura Lexx. You should expect fresh, thought-provoking material from many of the onstage comedians, so come with an open mind. The Basement specialises in challenging and provocative commentary, and a bit of stand-up comedy tends to go further in this kind of venue compared to watching it on TV or in large arena tours. The open mic nights are a particular favourite, especially if you want to experience some up and coming local acts – or even give it a shot yourself.
There’s also a regular vintage fashion sale, a spoken word night and scriptwriting workshops. The Basement is a one-stop-shop for all things independent and alternative, and if this describes you, expect to find yourself making return visits to this superb hidden gem of a venue.
