Nottingham’s best bars with live music

Nottingham might be famous for outlaws and lace-making, but when it comes to music, the city knows how to throw down. With buzzing indie and underground scenes, it’s been a melting pot for bold sounds and even bolder nights out.

This city doesn’t just appreciate live music, it lives and breathes it. From local legends to fresh talent, Nottingham’s spirit is stitched together with guitar strings, piano keys, and packed-out dancefloors

While the heritage runs deep, the live music scene is very much alive and kicking in Nottingham’s bars and pubs, some so old even Robin Hood might’ve knocked back a pint. With rising costs squeezing venues, they’re getting more creative than ever to keep the party going.

Live music isn’t just the vibe, it’s a lifeline, driving footfall, boosting spend, and keeping people coming back for more.

That’s why platforms like GigPig are essential in keeping Nottingham’s musical heartbeat strong, helping independent businesses thrive and giving artists the stages they deserve.

So whether you’re after a laidback acoustic set, a late night DJ set, a jazz jam, or a hip-hop gig, Nottingham’s got a bar for that.

Here’s your guide to the best spots in the city where the music is always live, and the atmosphere is even livelier.

Pitcher & Piano

If this list were about ‘the most beautiful place to grab a drink’, Pitcher & Piano would snatch the crown, no contest. Housed inside a deconsecrated church, sipping a cocktail under stained glass windows feels borderline sinful (and honestly, we’re into it). But the real magic happens when the lights dim and the music kicks off. From resident DJs dropping anthemic tracks to live sets by local starlets, themed bottomless brunches, and wild payday parties, this spot guarantees a packed floor and even better memories. There’s always a pew for you at Pitcher & Piano.

31K

Tucked away in the heart of Nottingham, 31K feels like stepping into your coolest mate’s living room, if your mate had an endless cocktail supply and a serious ear for live music. Warm, welcoming, and wildly addictive, it’s a modern sanctuary for cocktail lovers and music junkies alike. Expect everything from soulful sax solos to belting vocalists and acoustic masters lighting up the room. It's a proper love letter to the region's talent, and the kind of place where one “quick drink” turns into closing the place down without a second thought.

Manahatta

Glitz, glamour, and downright hedonism, Manahatta doesn’t just throw a party, it is the party. Think Manhattan energy with a hefty slice of Northern charm. DJs spin the best of Hip-Hop, R&B and floor-filling bangers every weekend, as cocktail shakers rattle and the crowd keeps bouncing. It's big city vibes without the faff, but sequins, sparkles, and tequila shots are always encouraged.

Katie O’Brien’s

Step inside Katie O’Brien’s and you’re stepping straight into a proper Irish knees-up, no passport required. This place has all the good stuff: the perfect pour of Guinness, staff who treat you like family, and live music that gets under your skin in the best way. Every weekend, the stage comes alive with some of the region’s finest talent, from acoustic singers to high-energy party bands that'll have you singing with strangers by the end of the night. It’s the kind of spot where the night always lasts longer than you planned, and leaving without dancing at least once is practically impossible.

Peggy’s Skylight

If your soul craves silky jazz and velvet vocals, Peggy’s Skylight is your calling. A beloved Nottingham institution where live music isn’t just entertainment, it’s religion. Step inside and you're transported to a smoky, speakeasy dreamland (minus the illegal booze). With world-class Jazz, Blues, and Soul artists gracing the stage from Wednesday to Sunday, every night at Peggy’s feels like finding a hidden treasure you’ll never want to share.

Huddl

Sports bar? Gaming hub? Late-night dancefloor? Huddl said, "Why not all three?" One minute you're glued to a Premier League clash, the next you’re battling your mates at social darts, before being captivated by the DJ spinning bangers late into the night. It’s lively, it’s chaotic in all the best ways, and it’s the perfect place to lose yourself after a long day. Honestly, why would you go anywhere else?

Raglan Road

If you’re looking to dive headfirst into Nottingham’s Irish pub scene, Raglan Road is where you need to be. This place is the definition of a good time, with live music four days a week, Raglan Road guarantees craic by the barrel-load. Whether it’s a solo acoustic set or a full-on party with DJs, the tunes never miss, and the energy’s always through the roof. It’s got the kind of atmosphere that turns a random Tuesday into a Friday night, and a night you’ll barely remember but definitely won't regret.

The Bodega

A legendary haunt for students, locals, and gig lovers alike, The Bodega is Nottingham’s ultimate triple-threat: part live music venue, part indie nightclub, part beer garden hideaway. Home to rising stars and established legends, it’s been fuelling Nottingham’s music scene for over 20 years, and it shows. Whether you’re headbanging in the gig room or sipping a cold one under fairy lights, Bodega always hits the sweet spot between chaotic and cosy. It’s not just a night out, it’s practically a rite of passage.

Pepper Rocks

Nottingham’s worst-kept secret (but we’re definitely not mad about it), Pepper Rocks serves retro industrial cool across three rambling floors, with low-slung sofas, ridiculous cocktails, and live music weaving the whole thing together. Blues bands bring a smoky swagger every other Sunday, while Friday and Saturday DJs keep you dancing until your legs give out. One mojito turns into two, two into four, and before you know it, you’re swapping life stories with strangers over tequila shots. We’ve all been there, no regrets.

Das Kino

It wouldn’t be a list of Nottingham’s best live music bars without a tip of the cap (or pint glass) to Das Kino. A party powerhouse built on three core pillars: great cocktails, filthy good pizzas, and maximum good times. Whether you’re brunching your way through “NOW! That’s What I Call Brunch” or tearing up the dancefloor to their infamous weekend DJs, Das Kino delivers carnage in all the right ways. When the weekend hits, all roads lead here, and frankly, we wouldn’t have it any other way.

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