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Our guide to where to get your hands on those discs of polyvinyl chloride – the most addictive substance known to humankind.

Music

20 Sheffield music venue highlights

Just beneath the surface, Sheffield has a wide array of smaller, independent venues that like to do things their own way. From clubs, pubs and bars to old warehouses, converted snooker halls and former office spaces, Sheffield’s range of independent venues have you covered. To mark Independent Venue Week, we put together this guide to some of the many varied venues that music lovers will want to visit in Sheffield.

Yellow Arch Studios

Richard Hawley's longstanding go-to studio, now home to a live music venue and bar.

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Sheffield General Cemetery

A hillside spot for both the living and the dead, containing stories of wars, epidemics, floods and more between 1836 and 1978. Today it's rich in history, wildlife and architecture. Look out for upcoming gigs, film screenings and exhibitions.

Bear Tree Records

Tucked away upstairs in the craft workshops of Orchard Square, Bear Tree Records was set up by Joe Blanchard – a familiar face to many who have flicked through various Sheffield vinyl racks over the years.

Cafe #9

Our idea of neighbourhood cafe perfection: excellent coffee, a wood-lined interior, lots of plants, chess, crosswords, ace music, warm cinnamon rolls, and friendly faces.

Kelham Island Books and Music

A secondhand book and vinyl shop with a well-curated selection of local history, fantasy, crime thrillers, walking guides, and folk recordings.

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Picture House Social

Make your way through the understated doorway, down the stairs and past the heavy curtain, and let Picture House Social transport you to 1920s New York-style speakeasy. With added pizza and ping pong.

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Folk Train

A surreal combination of folk bands, music lovers, alcohol and regular commuters on a packed and ageing Northern Rail carriage, with a Peak District pub as the destination.

The Leadmill

An iconic music venue, going strong since 1980. Since it’s early days as a punk hangout and as a cornerstone of the UK touring circuit, the Leadmill has long been a staple of South Yorkshire gig-goers’ diets.

Sheffield City Hall

One of Sheffield's grandest buildings, this neoclassical treat contains three music halls: the glorious Oval Hall, the wood-panelled Memorial Hall and an enormous art deco ballroom complete with light-up dance floor.

Hagglers Corner

Indian-inspired cafe by day, lively music venue by night. Hagglers' bunting-strewn courtyard is also lined with an array of indie businesses, from a yoga studio to a florist to a music school.

LP Records

A cosy shop with an eclectic selection of soul, dance, funk, indie and (whisper it) prog-rock classics.

Fagan's

An undisturbed little spot to take in the evening over a few scoops of Tetley's and a Traditional Irish music session. Down the side of the pub is a suitably nostalgic mural by artist Pete McKee.

Plot 22

A multi-purpose creative space for Sheffield’s underground community, run by social enterprise RiteTrax. Events span genres, often going to the extremes of music. Their recent crowdfunder raised £6,000 to make improvements – so watch this space!

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The Lescar

A Sharrow Vale pub with a weekly jazz night and comedy club.

Bungalows and Bears

A fire station turned roomy bar, specialising in lively gigs and DJ nights.

Delicious Clam

A DIY record label, practice room and gig space, fuelling the fire of Sheffield’s alternative scene.

Sidney & Matilda

An independent live music venue, bar and courtyard, housed in a former paper factory. Bringing music, comedy and performance to the edge of the Cultural Industries Quarter.

Gut Level

A community space platforming grassroots, queer and DIY arts and creative activities in Sheffield. Bringing people together since 2019 over parties, exhibitions, workshops, community gardening, communal meals, film nights, and more.

Hope Works

An art space and warehouse venue run by DJ-promoter-producer Liam O'Shea. This "rave zone, techno haven and bass temple" has hosted many famous faces since 2012, becoming one of the north's go-to places to discover the next big thing in dance music.

Bal Fashions

A former clothes shop turned bar, club, and cosy hangout in Sheffield’s Castlegate area. Club nights at Bal Fashions often last long into the next morning and have featured some of the best purveyors of underground dance music from across the world.

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Network

Located just off The Moor (in what was formerly Plug), Network is one of Sheffield’s newest venues. It's brought to you by the team behind Record Junkee, who say it’s been built "on the creativity, ambition and unity which define the city".

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Record Junkee

A music shop and record store near Sheffield’s Moor Market, and also home to a 150 capacity venue and bar. They’re inspired by the inclusive ethos that bred the best acts from the city’s past – from original bassline to post-punk and back again.

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Yorkshireman

A friendly rock pub with the motto "silence is overrated" – complete with jukebox and basement gig venue. Live performances specialise in rock, punk and metal, while it also hosts comedy nights and a regular drag show.

The Greystones

The back room of this flagship Thornbridge pub is an intimate setting to catch artists slightly off the beaten track. Leaning towards folk and blues acts, it plays host to a mix of established artists, emerging talent and local grassroots performers.

Hatch

Formerly known as the Audacious Art Experiment, Hatch boasts one of the most eclectic schedules in the country. This intimate, DIY venue is never boring, and you’re likely to discover your new favourite genre of music here.

The Washington

An important venue for Sheffield’s grassroots music scene, hosting sweaty gigs in its side room since the 70s. The pub was a notorious hangout for The Human League and Pulp – the latter's drummer Nick Banks even enjoyed a brief stint as its landlord.

Firth Hall

With its high vaulted ceiling, large leaded windows and oak panelling, this Edwardian hall lends itself perfectly to the classical setting. Its concerts range from talented student orchestras to more experimental contemporary compositions.

Dorothy Pax

Right next to the canal, the Dorothy Pax takes its name – and even salvaged part of its bar – from a historic boat. It specialises blues, with the Honey Bee Blues Club regularly putting on intimate nights in the company of the best contemporary acts.

Corporation

The home of rock and alternative music in Sheffield since 1997. Corporation spans three floors on a corner of the Devonshire Quarter and, according to a vote in Kerrang! magazine, is one of the country’s top three rock clubs.

Alder

A hang-out built around good beer, great music and community spirit. Hosting the weekly Kelham Island Film Club, a regular open jazz night, an eclectic mix of gigs and the occasional art exhibition.

The Octagon Centre

The likes of Nirvana, Oasis, Cypress Hill, Bloc Party, Goldfrapp and Arctic Monkeys have all performed at this iconic music venue. If these eight walls could talk... Today, it hosts University of Sheffield Concerts, gigs, comedy and more.