The Croft

What it’s like

A late-night live music venue in Bristol with a back room built for gigs, running well past midnight most nights.

This one's really for the older teens who are into their music rather than a family day out. The back room is where the gigs happen, and from what they say on the site it's a proper fixture of Bristol's music scene, not a polished chain venue with a laminated menu of "family entertainment". Entry's free, though tickets for specific gigs are limited on the door, so booking ahead is the sensible move if there's an act your teenager actually wants to see.

The hours tell you who this is for. Open till 4am most nights and gone midnight on a Sunday, this isn't a tea-and-biscuits-by-seven kind of place. If you're taking an older teenager to a gig, you're looking at a late one.

A few practical bits worth flagging. There are a few small steps at the main entrance, with a portable ramp if you need it, and ground-floor seating is fully accessible. Some events use strobe lighting or smoke machines, and if anyone in your group has a condition that could be affected, the venue asks you to let them know before buying tickets. It's dog friendly too, assistance dogs and well-behaved ones alike, though they'd rather you checked first that your dog and the night's event are a good match.

Parking's the usual city-centre faff: pay-and-display on nearby streets like Dove St and Picton St, or the NCP multi-storeys at St James Barton and Brunswick Square if you'd rather not hunt for a space. There's a bus stop about a minute's walk away and taxis can drop right outside, which is probably the easier option this late.

Need to know

Booking

Early booking recommended to avoid missing out

Parking

Pay-and-display nearby (Dove St, Picton St, City Rd) with disabled spaces at Arley Hill

Wheelchairs

Portable ramp at entrance. Ground-floor fully accessible

Dogs

Completely dog friendly. Assistance dogs and well-behaved dogs welcome, but check beforehand for suitability to event

Getting there by bus or train

Bus: Nine Tree Hill stop about 1 minute walk away

• Tickets are limited on the door, so book early for popular gigs
• Strobe lighting and smoke machines turn up at some events, tell them beforehand if that's a problem
• Let staff know in advance if you need to bring medication or medical equipment
• A bus stop is about a minute's walk from the door and taxis can drop right outside

Plan your visit

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