Venues

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* 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)