Venues

jiva home page
about us
our instruments
songs from our repertoire
venue reviews
read what others are saying about jiva
read guestbook entries, or add your own
archive of jiva news items
links to other sites

 


Determined to see jiva


Monday

Bacup Beacon Brecon Bridge
Locomotion *Lord Barrington* Magnesia Bank Pools
Ship Inn

Tuesday

*Bell and Bucket* Bubbles Candlelite Cramlington
Croxdale Dartford Foggy Furze *Keel Row*
Plough

Wednesday Alison Arms *Alnwick* Beamish Mary Birtley
Blackpool Brierfield Burneston *Dunes*
Faversham *Green Mandolin* Hexham Lakeshore
Linton Institute Pickin' Parlour *Ridley Park Hotel* *Spread Eagle*
*Windmill*      

Thursday Ashington Cutty Wren Darlington *General Havelock*
Market Tavern *Monkseaton Arms* Orpington Ryton
Station Hotel Wigan

Friday

Chillingham Hale & Hearty *King's Head* Old Church
Pot House *Potters* Ram Wayfarers

Saturday

*Battlesteads* Davy Lamp Netherton *Old Ship*

Sunday *Battlesteads* Bluestone *Cumberland Arms* *Dolphin*
*General Havelock* Guisborough Miners Arms Open Door
South Shields

Ad Hoc

Allendale Village Hall Hexagon Theatre

This section will continually expand to provide information for performers and audiences alike. The Folk Roundabout covers what's on where in the North East with club details etc - Trevor Lister does a great job. The Folk and Roots website is excellent - it provides tour details, artist links, venue/club links, record label links, and just about everything else. With a more local emphasis, sites such as Banjo Bill's have club links, but we've yet to find anything online other than this page that tells you what it's actually like to be there.

Help us to build this section of our website into an even better resource - invite us to play, and we'll do a review.

* Venues marked with * are no longer running, but we have retained the entry to enable you to contact the organisers for further information.

Alison Arms, Coppull

When Wednesday
Where The Alison Arms, Preston Road, Coppull
Contacts  
Internet www.alisonarmsfolk.co.uk
Email  
Review Separate room upstairs - buy your drinks in the bar on the ground floor.

Singaround club, friendly and welcoming. One turn each around the room (two for duos etc), then around again as many times it takes to fill the night. Beer break and raffle somewhere in the middle.

Top Of Page

Allendale Village Hall - Northumbrian Music Nights

When Concerts as advertised
Where Allendale, Northumberland
Contacts Larry Winger
Internet  
Email larry.winger@btinternet.com
Review Run in conjunction with the folk club at the King's Head in Allendale, the village hall hosts a wide variety concerts ranging through traditional and contemporary genres - great acts at a great venue.

It's a pleasure to play here - excellent acoustics mean PA is not always needed. Small stage, lovely cosy atmosphere, friendly organisers, separate bar. What more could you want?

Top Of Page

Alnwick Folk Club

When Music starts 8:30 pm 2nd Wednesday - NO LONGER RUNNING
Where The Plough Hotel, Bondgate Without, Alnwick
Contacts Chris Clarke: 01665-712264
Internet  
Email csclarke@clara.net
Review Separate, smallish room - buy your drinks from the lounge or bar.

Friendly and attentive organiser, appreciative audience.

2 songs each to start with, then a break, then around again until time runs out.

Top Of Page

Ashington Folk Club

When Music starts 8:30 pm Thursdays
Singers, Musicians and Poets - alternate Thursdays
Special Guest Nights as advertised
Where The Institute, Institute Road, Ashington, NE63 8HP
Contacts Pat Yeowart: 0779 165 5739
Internet Website - live: www.ashingtonfolkclub.org.uk
MySpace: www.myspace.com/ashingtonfolkclub
Website - club archive 1964 to 2007: www.ashingtonfolkclub.co.uk
Email  
Review A friendly place - best of order, and an appreciative audience. Hosted by jiva 2004 to 2007! We liked it so much we bought the domain name...  From January 2008 the team is Pat, Doug and Ben Yeowart with Tristan Sturgeon.

Mostly Local Singers, Musicians and Poets nights, with the occasional extended spot - all abilities and all genres are welcome. There's a PA (optional) if you want to fill out your sound slightly. Performers generally start with 2 songs, then more later depending on time available.

Very occasional special guest nights as advertised in the Forward Diary section of the website.

No smoking (since August 2004).

Great archive website (by jiva Design, naturally) - photo review galleries, soundbites, forward diary, newsletter, performer details, club history... the lot.

Top Of Page

Bacup Folk Club

When Monday
Where Bacup Conservative Club
Contacts Helen Slater: 01706 873063
Internet www.bacupfolkclub.co.uk
Email  
Review Separate large room upstairs (buy your beer downstairs in the bar).

Friendly club with a good crop of residents.

They do their best to ensure that everyone gets to sing/play (even on guest nights) - late finish, around 11:30 pm.

Top Of Page

Battlesteads

When 2nd Saturday and 4th Sunday every month - transferred to the Miners Arms at Acomb
Where Battlesteads Hotel, Wark
Contacts Marilyn & Ian: 01434-681930
Hotel: 01434-230209
Internet  
Email oldchurch@supanet.com
Review All very friendly and informal.

Lovely venue, cosy room with low ceiling - adjacent separate bar. Shutters to bar and dining room can be opened for more space if needed, the hotel owners like to listen if they can!

There is smoking in the bar, but normally no one smokes 'in the session'.

Top Of Page

Beacon Folk Club

When 2nd and 4th Monday every month
Where Tunbridge Wells
Contacts Peter Collins: 01892 782326
Beacon Bar & Restaurant: 01892 524252
Internet http://beehive.courier.co.uk/beaconfolk/
Email peter@foxide.net
Review Friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

2nd Monday generally a guest night - 4th Monday song and music session night.

Sizeable separate room with lovely view of the Kent countryside (pop out to the bar for drinks). John and Di Cullen own the Beacon and are the hosts and major resident singers. 1 song each, 2 if a duo going in a round till the end of the night.

Top Of Page

Beamish Mary Folk Club

When Wednesday
Where Beamish Mary, No Place, Co Durham
Contacts John Brindle: 0191 386 6151
Dennis Makepeace: 0191 373 9943
Internet  
Email  
Review Good sized room - separate bar. Amplification available. Singers nights generally start after 8:30 pm, 2 songs each then more later if time permits.
Top Of Page

Bell and Bucket

When Tuesday - NO LONGER RUNNING
Where Norfolk Street, North Shields
Contacts Dave Ellison: 0191-268-8022
Internet
Email david@backworth32.freeserve.co.uk
Review Not so much a folk club, more a pub bar with a PA where you can plug in and play while the locals drink and chat. There's a wide variety of musical genres from performers of differing abilities - watch out for the parrot!

Performers generally start with 3 songs each, then more in the second half depending on available time.

Not for the faint hearted.

Top Of Page

Birtley Folk Club

When Wednesday
Where R.A.O.B. Club
Contacts Doreen Henderson: 0191 410 3675
Internet
Email doreen.henderson@ukf.net
Review Separate room - singaround format, one song each. Then around the room again until time runs out (we got 2 songs second time around the room as it was our first visit). Wide variety of music/singing styles from the small, but attentive, audience/performer base. Usually has guest performers once per month.
Top Of Page

Blackpool Folk Club

When Tuesday
Where The Clarence Hotel, Preston New Road
Contacts Ann Green: 01772 683027
Internet www.myspace.com/theclarencefolkclub
Email  
Review Held in a separate area off from the main bar/lounge - no connecting doors, so noise does filter into the music area from the bar.

The club has guest nights and residents nights - we played on a theme night, 'Songs of Allan Taylor', so can't comment on how things are done on regular nights.

Friendly organisers, PA available (advised... see above re noise from the bar... but not compulsory).

Top Of Page

Bluestone Folk Club

When Sunday
Where Delaval Arms, Hartley
Contacts Dave Minikin: 0191-237-6249 or 07967-198430
Internet www.bridgefolkclub.co.uk/bluestone.htm
Email bridfolk@aol.com
Review A singaround held in its own room (you can go to the bar between songs or during the 'beer break').

Each performer has 1 song at a time (groups/duos etc generally get 2 separate turns to play, eg 1 each) until time runs out.

Friendly, informal atmosphere with a wide variety of music covering traditional, unaccompanied, Northumbrian pipes, country, folk, jazz and everything in between. The audience listen well, and can add multiple harmony voices to almost anything.

No smoking.

Top Of Page

Brecon Folk Club

When Monday
Where Smiths Arms, Castle Dene, Chester-le-Street
Contacts Garth & Sheila Hodgson: 0191-584-4282
Internet  
Email garth.hodgson@btinternet.com
Review A singaround held in the lounge of this out of the way pub. There is a bar, but the noise is not obtrusive.

Mostly singarounds with occasional guests. On singaround nights everyone has two songs, then possibly one more after the break.

Friendly, informal atmosphere with a good standard of residents performing everything from traditional to contemporary, popular classics to blues, instrumentalists and unaccompanied singers.

Top Of Page

Bridge Folk Club

When Monday
Where Bridge Hotel, Newcastle upon Tyne
Contacts Dave Minikin: 0191-237-6249 or 07967-198430
Internet www.bridgefolkclub.co.uk
Email bridfolk@aol.com
Review Held in its own room upstairs (you can go to the bar between songs or during the 'beer break'). Performers have 2 or 3 songs each until time runs out.

Friendly, informal atmosphere with a wide variety of music. The audience listen attentively, often joining in.

Occasional guest nights, and 'Rising Stars' nights

No smoking.

Great website (designed by you-know-who!).

Top Of Page

Brierfield Folk Club, Burnley

When Wednesday
Where Waggon and Horses, Colne Road, Brierfield
Contacts Phyl Watson
Internet 01282-774-077
Email  
Review Very small room - cosy, but very crowded. Friendly bunch of people who mostly seem to know each other and meet up as much for a natter as for the music!

Lots of joining in, both instrumentally and with some good harmony singing.

Separate room, no smoking - but, because it's so small the door is left open, and so noise and smoke drift in from the bar etc

Top Of Page

Bubbles

When Tuesday
Where Station Road, Ashington
Contacts  
Internet  
Email  
Review Night club, previously the Cellar - you'll find some talented guitarists there, doing everything from 50s to lengthy avant garde self-indulgent instrumentals. It definitely has the smoky night club / jazz club feel to it - lots of background noise from those out for a few drinks, not a great deal of attention paid to the music.

There doesn't appear to be a set format for what or who goes on when - just turn up, plug in, and play a few if you want.

Top Of Page

Burneston Folk Club

When Wednesday
Where The Woodman Inn, Burneston, N Yorkshire
Contacts Glyn Cavell
Internet http://www.myspace.com/burnestonfolkclub
Email  
Review Very friendly and welcoming atmosphere. The club meets at one end of this open plan pub. A good number of residents performing everything from traditional to contemporary, popular classics to blues, and unaccompanied singers.

Always singers nights - never book guests, free entry and no raffle! No PA (not needed).

2 songs each to start with, more in 2nd half if time allows.

Top Of Page

Candlelite Folk & Blues Club

When Tuesday
Where Sports Club, Moore Lane, Newton Aycliffe
Contacts Neil or Babs Mason: 01325-301534
Internet http://candleliteclub.spaces.live.com/
http://www.communigate.co.uk/ne/candlelight/index.phtml
Email  
Review Very friendly, welcoming atmosphere. A good crop of performers, enthusiastic and appreciative audience, good PA soundman, good sized room. Bar didn't detract from the music.

Mostly singers nights - guest nights every month.

3 songs each to start with, possibly more in 2nd half if time allows.

Top Of Page

Chillingham Folk Club

When 1st and Third Friday every month
Where Chillingham Arms, Chillingham Road, Newcastle
Contacts Al Giles: 0191 265 9628
Pete Cryer: 01670 516 797
Rachel Crackett: 0191 287 3135
Internet

 http://www.chillinghamfolkclub.co.uk

Email info@chillinghamfolkclub.co.uk
agiles@lesbury.fsbusiness.co.uk
pnrcr@tiscali.co.uk
Review Upstairs room with a bar - no smoking.

Singaround format.

Great website (by jiva Design, naturally).

Top Of Page

Cramlington Folk Club

When Tuesday
Where The Hind, Dewley, Cramlington
Contacts 01670-715106
Internet www.cramfolk.co.uk 
Email info@cramfolk.co.uk 
folkclub@cramfolk.co.uk
 
Review Well established club held in a good sized room. Very friendly and relaxed atmosphere. No smoking, best of order - (you can go to the bar between songs or during the 'beer break').

Guest nights every other week. Residents and musicians nights start with 2 or 3 songs each depending on numbers.

No smoking.

Even better now with a website makeover by you-know-who!

Top Of Page

Croxdale Folk Club

When Tuesday
Where Daleside Arms, Croxdale
Contacts 01388-811299
Internet  
Email enquiries@durham-traditional.co.uk
Review The club format is singarounds (mostly in strict rotation) alternating with guest nights and occasional special events. There is no charge for singarounds, but there is a small charge on guest nights.

The folk club is held in the lounge (a separate room), and you go out to the bar for drinks.

There's a varied crop of residents ranging from unaccompanied through to contemporary and traditional groups with a variety of instruments.

No smoking.

Top Of Page

Cumberland Arms

When Sunday - NO LONGER RUNNING
Where Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne
Contacts Frank: 0191-265-4925
Internet www.thecumberlandarms.co.uk/
Email  
Review Separate room upstairs with its own bar. Small stage and low ceiling give it the air of an intimate jazz club. Small PA system is used. In spite of being very smoky, and increasing noise levels from the bar as the night progresses, this is an enjoyable place to play.

All genres (including poetry) are welcome - the organisers particularly encourage self-penned material, and give good attention to performers. Generally 2 songs each, and more later until time runs out.

Top Of Page

Cutty Wren Folk Club

When Thursday
Where Duke William, Skelton, Cleveland
Contacts John Taylor: 01287-622-623
Internet www.cuttywrenfolkclub.ukforum.com/index.htm
Email  
Review Separate room upstairs with a small stage area in one corner. Bar downstairs for your beer etc.

This club has been gong since the 1960s, and everyone seems to know everyone else! Generally 2 songs each to start - if it gets crowded later on, latecomers may only get 1 song.

A good mix of residents including traditional, contemporary, unaccompanied, country, poetry - in fact, anything goes.

No smoking.

This review is from the Zetland Hotel, Marske - we've not yet visited the Duke William.

Top Of Page

Darlington Folk Club

When Thursday
Where Darlington Arts Centre
Contacts Tom Hughes: 01325-261179
Internet  
Email  
Review Alternates between singarounds and concert style guest nights. Separate upstairs room. On singaround nights buy your drinks downstairs.

Good crop of local/resident singers providing a good cross-section of musical styles, friendly and attentive organisers and audience.

Top Of Page

Dartford Folk Club

When Tuesday
Where Dartford Working Men's (CIU) Club
Contacts Paul Homer: 01322 222553
Internet http://www.dartfordfolk.org.uk/
Email PaulHomer@DartfordFolk.org.uk
Review Guests every week. You can turn up on the night for a floor spot but probably best to contact the organisers beforehand.

Big, separate concert room (pop out to buy drinks at the bar - great selection of real ales we're told). Very friendly and attentive organisers and audience. Good P.A.

Top Of Page

Davy Lamp Folk Club

When Saturday
Where Arts Centre, Washington
Contacts Eric & Terri Freeman: 0191-416-6999
Internet www.davylampfolkclub.co.uk
Email info@davylampfolkclub.co.uk
Review Premier North East venue - large concert-sized room, stage at one end, bar at the other, and PA is excellently handled by Ron Angus, the best sound engineer we've ever heard.

Instrumental session at the back for half an hour or so before the residents take the stage for a 30-40 minute spot, followed by first guest spot. After the break, short spots from more regulars and the occasional song from a visitor. Then the guest finishes the night.

If you want to hear great guests with brilliant sound quality you'll love it, if you're looking for somewhere to do a few songs as a floor singer you may be disappointed.

No smoking.

Top Of Page

Dolphin

When Sunday - NO LONGER RUNNING
Where King Edward Road, Tynemouth
Contacts Tony Lamborghini
Internet
Email tony_lamborghini@yahoo.co.uk
Review Formed in November 2003, a 'buskers night' where you turn up, plug in and play and/or sing - folk, blues, country, bluegrass, anything really. Performers generally start with 2 or 3, then more later as time allows.

Friendly, informal, held in a separate room.

Landlord provides sandwiches - nice touch.

Top Of Page

Dunes

When Wednesday - NO LONGER RUNNING
Where Lower Promenade, Whitley Bay
Contacts Eric: 0191-290-1222
Internet
Email gildea1@lycos.co.uk
Review Plug in and play at this bar - it literally is a long bar with ample space at one end to perform using the PA system. Not many customers, but don't expect silence while you do your stuff. The music kicks off at around 9:00 pm, 3 songs each for starters, and more as time allows.

Parking is particularly difficult - either get there early or don't take more gear than you can comfortably carry. Being on the lower promenade, you get good views of the waves rolling/crashing in just a few yards away.

Top Of Page

Faversham Folk Club

When Wednesday
Where The Chimney Boy, Faversham
Contacts Mary Henderson: 01795 534368
Andy Pigg: 01795 539055
Internet http://www.favershamfolkclub.net
Email favershamfc@pigglet.co.uk
Review The only Club we know of with so many Committee members!

We went on a guest night having pre-booked a supporting floor spot.

Separate room upstairs, but get your drinks from the bar downstairs. PA for top flight professional nights, otherwise acoustic.

Top Of Page

Foggy Furze Folk Club

When Tuesday - singing starts 8:15 pm
Where Travellers Rest, Stockton Road, Hartlepool
Contacts Ian Ferguson: 01429 291067 (Chairman and Social Secretary)
Kay De 'Ath:  01429 890314 (Vice Chair and Publicity)
Internet Website: www.foggyfurzefolk.com
MySpace: www.myspace.com/foggyfurzefolk
Email ianferguson@foggyfurzefolk.com
janhall@foggyfurzefolk.com
Review Separate, large room. Buy your drinks in the main bar.

This has to be the friendliest club we've ever played. The organisers are immediately welcoming, and the audience/performers are attentive and supportive (even to the point of applauding some song introductions!).

There's a good mix of music styles (and poetry and monologues too), performed in a singaround - 2 turns each (maybe 3 for new faces) - a break, and then around again until time runs out.

Mostly singers nights, with guests once per month.

Top Of Page

General Havelock

When Thursday - NO LONGER RUNNING
Where East Sleekburn
Contacts Ken Phillipson 0191-237-6097 or 07751-876466
Internet  
Email  
Review January 2004 to November 2004 - run by West Sleekburn Farm Community Music Association.

Separate room with through bar. Plug in, high ceiling, good acoustics... very promising venue with possibilities but, alas, it didn't work out.

Top Of Page

General Havelock

When Second Sunday
Where East Sleekburn
Contacts Ken 01670-810369
Internet http://www.myspace.com/kannyken
Email
Review New venue - started 11th January 2004.

Buskers Night in the pub bar - PA etc. Not a club setup - the emphasis is not on quiet attention to performers, it's more a get up and have a go while everyone chats and drinks.

Top Of Page

Green Mandolin

When Wednesday - NO LONGER RUNNING
Where Felling, Gateshead
Contacts Kelly Brownell
Internet www.myspace.com/greenmandolin
Email
Review

Advertised as Musicians Night. Mostly contemporary, acoustic-based, self-penned material with a few covers thrown in. Split level pub - performers play/sing using PA in the bar area (so a fair amount of chat/conversation going on there) with more tables and chairs a few steps up.

Three songs each act.

Top Of Page

Guisborough Folk Club

When Sunday
Where Rugby Club, Belmangate, TS14 7BB
Contacts Terry: 01642-270674
Brian: 01642-475471
Internet http://www.myspace.com/guisboroughfolkclub
www.guisboroughfolkclub.ukforum.com
Email
Review

Fairly large room with small stage - or just use the floor if you wish. There is a bar which also serves coffee!

No PA but room has good acoustics. A warm friendly club with a wide variety of performers - acoustic-based self-penned material, covers, traditional, accordion...

Start off with 2 or 3 songs each, then more after the break if time allows.

Top Of Page

Hale & Hearty Folk Club

When 1st and 3rd Friday of every month
Where King's Arms, Hale, near Milnthorpe, Cumbria
Contacts Frank: 01524-734440
Internet www.folknorthwest.co.uk/Frday_club_history.htm
Email franklewis@ddas91.freeserve.co.uk
Review Singarounds in a separate room upstairs - re-charge your glasses downstairs during the beer break.

Friendly, welcoming atmosphere and a wide variety of performers. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit, and hope to return soon.

No smoking.

Top Of Page

Hexagon Theatre

When Check their website for details.
Where Hall Drive, Acklam, Middlesbrough
Contacts Judith James: 01642-270550 or 07730-896844
Chris Train: 07914-203-620
Internet Hexagon Theatre, Middlesbrough
Email hexagontheatre@yahoo.co.uk
Review 200 seater community theatre attached to local arts school.

Their aim is to promote folk music in the area by showcasing local talent and facilitating workshops etc.

Top Of Page

Hexham Folk Club

When Wednesday
Where Ex-Servicemen's Club, occasionally at Unionist Club
Contacts Colin: 01434-603696
Internet  
Email  
Review Ex-Servicemen's Club has separate room upstairs - adjacent bar.

Singaround. 1 song each start to finish. Colin likes chatting and reminiscing as much as singing.

A long established club, but attendance has dwindled almost to zero - it needs your support, so get along there and perform, or just listen. Remember the motto... 'use it or lose it'!

Top Of Page

Keel Row

When Tuesday - NO LONGER RUNNING
Where Keel Row, Seaton Delaval
Contacts Ken Phillipson: 0191-237-6097 or 07751-876466
Internet  
Email  
Review September 2003 to mid 2004, a singaround held in one end of the large bar.

No specific arrangements for who sings how many or when. Friendly, informal atmosphere - play whatever you like, and join in with others if you wish.

Top Of Page

King's Head - Northumbrian Music Nights

When 2nd and 4th Friday of the month - NO LONGER RUNNING
Where Allendale, Northumberland
Contacts Larry Winger
Internet  
Email larry.winger@btinternet.com
Review Good sized upstairs room with stage at one end. On Singers Nights the stage is not used, and the usual singaround setup gives performers 2 songs/tunes to start with, going around again for more as time allows. Bar is downstairs.

Also see Allendale Village Hall for guest concerts.

Top Of Page

Lakeshore Inn

When Wednesday - No longer run by West Sleekburn Farm Community Music Association
Where Earth Balance, Bomarsund
Contacts  
Internet  
Email  
Review

Informal singaround in a small pub. Music venue is in the bar. So be prepared for varying degrees of background noise/chat.

Top Of Page

Linton Institute

When 2nd Wednesday - from 8:00pm
Where The Linton Colliery Institute
Contacts Louise: 01670-861630
Internet  
Email janesalley@hotmail.com
Review Buskers night in the community centre at Linton Colliery - no bar, so bring your own drinks!

Amplification available.

Top Of Page

Locomotion

When Monday - singing starts around 8:30 pm
Where The Locomotion Inn, Heighington, Near Darlington
Contacts John Snowball: 0792 232 4675
Internet  
Email  
Review

Separate room upstairs (the restaurant) - buy your beer downstairs in the bar.

Mostly singaround evenings with a wide variety of styles with occasional poetry and monologues. 1 go each (duos/groups may get 2), a break, then around again until time runs out. Occasional guests.

This review was for the Locomotion, Heighington. The club has since moved to The Foresters Arms at Coatham Mundeville DL1 3LU.

Top Of Page

Lord Barrington

When Occasional Mondays - as advertised - NO LONGER RUNNING
Where Stakeford
Contacts Alex: 01670-817616
Internet
Email  
Review First night was Monday 23 August 2004 - a venue where local people turn up to play for pleasure and a chat. Held in the lounge area of an open plan pub with a through bar, therefore can be quite noisy and smoky.

Everyone gets a couple of songs to start with, a short break, then around again (and possibly again!) until time runs out. All abilities and types of acoustic music and song welcome.

This is a new venture, uncertain of future dates - contact the organiser(s) for further details before you make the trip!

Top Of Page

Magnesia Bank

When Monday
Where Magnesia Bank, North Shields
Contacts  
Internet
Email  
Review The 'Maggie Bank' is a well-established venue for bands, and has played host to many top class professional acts. The stage area is around the corner from the main bar in this multi-level, open plan pub.

All buskers night performers are given at least 3 songs, with the potential for more if time allows.

If you like your amplification to be loud, then get yourself down there. If, on the other hand, you want to hear every nuance of gentle acoustic playing and soft harmonies well balanced through sensitive use of the PA, then perhaps buskers nights wouldn't really be your thing. However, although on our visit the sound wasn't to our personal liking, there were positive comments about the blend of the jiva guitars and our vocal harmonies.

Top Of Page

Market Tavern

When Thursday
Where Market Tavern, Bedlington
Contacts Ian Anderson
Internet
Email  
Review Open plan pub with raised stage/gallery area for performers.

The pub has lots of live music - rock bands, etc. The Thursday night buskers is a bit more laid back with everyone getting 3 or 4 songs. As with any buskers night, there's plenty of noise/talking from the pub regulars/customers at the bar and playing pool - but at least the PA isn't cranked up to max volume to compensate.

A friendly bunch of people who just want to play some music... a mix of young and old, blues, pop, classic hits, R&B, folk, singer/songwriter, etc. One of the better buskers we've played.

Top Of Page

Miners Arms

When 2nd and 4th Sunday
Where Miners Arms, Acomb
Contacts Marilyn & Ian: 01434-681930
Internet
Email oldchurch@supanet.com
Review All very friendly and informal.

Small room - adjacent separate bar. There is smoking in the bar, but normally no one smokes 'in the session'.

Top Of Page

Monkseaton Arms

When Alternate Thursdays - NO LONGER RUNNING
Where Whitley Bay
Contacts Mike Jessop
Internet
Email
Review Separate room upstairs - buy your drinks in the bar downstairs.

Open mic policy, but away from the public bar so there's less background noise.

Start off with 2 or 3 songs each, then more after the break if time allows.

No smoking since August 2006.

Top Of Page

Netherton Folk Club

When Saturday (monthly or thereabouts)