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Live Music & Gigs in York

York has live music tucked into all sorts of corners, not just the big venue. Micklegate Social is a walk-in bar for gigs most nights, no table bookings needed. Central Hall, a bit further out at around three kilometres, is where the touring acts play, with tickets from about £40 and its own parking. Valhalla York does rock and metal with food, and kids are welcome there until 9pm. For families, Valhalla York and The Stone Roses Bar both let you bring children along early in the evening, though each has its own cut-off time. Sotano offers free entry for jazz nights and DJ sets, with food served most days. Once the evening tips later, this becomes an 18+ scene: Flares, Vudu Lounge and Popworld York all run into the small hours with dress codes and party crowds. Pick your venue by the clock as much as the music.

13 places 7 upcoming events 1 free to visit

What's on: live music & gigs

SAT 10 OCT, 19:30

The Paul Simon Songbook

Helmsley Arts Centre

From £25

SUN 11 OCT, 14:30

Brodsky Quartet

Helmsley Arts Centre

From £22

SAT 24 OCT, 19:30

QWEEN UK - 2026

Helmsley Arts Centre

FRI 30 OCT, 19:30

Hejira - Celebrating Joni Mitchell 2026 - Cancelled

Helmsley Arts Centre

SUN 15 NOV, 15:00

York Guildhall Orchestra (soloist - Martin Roscoe)

Helmsley Arts Centre

Young children display yellow chicken artwork at an intergenerational craft activity with adults supervising.

SUN 13 DEC

Calderdale Big Band Concert

National Coal Mining Museum for England

THU 17 DEC, 19:30

Rob Heron & Conrad Bird

Helmsley Arts Centre

Places for live music & gigs

⇅

Cat In The Wall

York

A grazing-board bar for a relaxed afternoon coffee or evening drink in York, not a stop for a family day out.

CaféDog friendly

Modern waterside building with distinctive curved architecture reflected in calm canal water at sunset.

from £40

Central Hall

York

A big campus concert hall in York where touring acts play, with tickets from around £40.

Bike parkingFood on siteParkingPublic transport nearby

Flares - York

York

An 18+ nightclub in York spinning decades of party anthems until 3am, with VIP packages for birthdays, hens and stags.

Multiple glasses of beer with cream heads held in hands at a brewery.

Golden Lion

York

A pub restaurant with a beer garden, dog-friendly seating and a menu running from steaks to Sunday roasts.

Dog friendlyFood on sitePicnic areaWheelchair accessible+1 more

Katie O'Brien's Irish Tavern York

York

A pub in York running live music every day and sport on the screens, best treated as a night out for adults rather than a family stop.

Young woman smiling at camera inside a bar or social venue with neon signage and decorative lighting behind her.

Micklegate Social

York

A walk-in bar on Micklegate for live music and gigs, open late most days, no table bookings.

A brightly lit nightclub interior with vibrant neon purple, pink, and yellow lighting, colourful booth seating, and digital screens displaying pop art portraits on the walls.

Popworld York

York

A late-night cocktail and party bar in York, open into the small hours for hen dos, birthdays and big nights out.

A large choir stands in rows on a concert hall stage, holding sheet music whilst a conductor leads them in performance.

from £10

Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall

York

Concerts on a university campus with tickets from £10 and free entry for under-16s.

Booking requiredFood on siteWheelchair accessible

Table setting at a restaurant bar with Spanish tapas, cured meats, bread, wine bottles and glasses, and various small dishes.

Free

Sotano

York

A basement bar for live DJ sets and jazz nights, with a kitchen serving food most of the week.

Three people watching a football match on a large screen in a pub, celebrating with raised fists.

The Old Bank

York

A pub with pool, darts and foosball plus quiz nights and karaoke, family friendly earlier in the evening.

Accessible toiletBaby changeDog friendlyIndoor seating+4 more

The Stone Roses Bar

York

A live music bar in York where kids can catch a gig with you, but only up to a set time in the evening.

Interior of a Viking-themed pub with wooden tables, benches, a bar counter, exposed beams and stone walls painted green.

Valhalla York

York

A rock and metal bar in York where kids are welcome for food and the atmosphere, as long as you're out by 9pm.

Allergy awareFood on siteVegetarian options

Vudu Lounge

York

A late-night York club with a dress code, open into the small hours from Wednesday to Saturday.

Good to know: live music & gigs in York

Are any of them free?

Yes, Sotano is free to visit.

What does a paid visit cost?

Paid entry starts from £10 at Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall. Prices, ages and facilities are listed on every place page, taken from each venue's own published price list.