OUR VENUES

JOINING THE DOTS

As a multi-venue, metropolitan festival, we get the absolute privilege of staging our artists in some of our favourite venues in Bristol and Nottingham! Get to know a little bit about them below…

O2 Academy Bristol (14+) Our Bristol main stage since our inaugeral outing in the great South West city. With its two rooms and a classic academy vibe, it's the perfect venue to catch a D2D headliner at. Having opened in 2001, it was only the third Academy venue in the UK! More Info

SWX (14+) We're delighted to have SWX returning to the festival for 2023! Located on Nelson Street, the venue joined the Dot To Dot family in 2016. After a few years away following a tragic arson attack, we welcome back a state of the art, fully refurbished SWX to host 2 stages this year! More Info

Thekla (14+ until 11pm) Thekla is not only a boat, it’s one of Bristol’s longest running entertainment venues. Originally converted in 1982 by legendary Vivian Stanshill, it has a long history of entertaining Bristol with everything from theatre, cabaret, live music and DJs as well as acting as a canvas for elusive artist, Banksy. On D2D day, you'll find our wristband exchange and loads of fun festival extras around its home at East Mud Dock. More Info

Dockside in Partnership with Super Bock (14+ until 11pm) Back for 2023! Our area on the dockside grew last year and went down an absolute treat in the sunshine 🌞 More Info

The Fleece (all ages, under 16s with adult) The Fleece is one of Bristol's most legendary live music venues. Housed in a former Victorian wool hall, the venue has a well earned reputation for putting on some of the best gigs in the city. More Info

The Louisiana (16+, under 18s with adult) A Bristol institution. The Louisiana is a cosy gig venue in what once was a seafarer's hotel, hosting live music in their upstairs room, above their traditional style pub on the ground floor. More Info

Rough Trade (14+) Shortly after opening their Nottingham store (part of D2D Nottingham), Rough Trade launched a 4th UK store, this time in Bristol and joined the D2D map here too. The first Rough Trade store opened in London in 1976 and the rest is history... More Info

Strange Brew (14+ until 10pm) One of Bristol’s newest independent mid-sized venues, having opened their doors in September 2020. Strange Brew is a DIY bar, live music venue, café, record shop and exhibition space. More Info

Dareshack (16+, under 18s with adult) Dareshack is a new 200 capacity event space / 'creative studio' with an emphasis on building unique environments where creative people and projects can thrive with independent and experimental programming across music and the arts. More Info

The Lanes (18+ after 10pm) Everyone's favourite bar-slash-eaterie-slash-venue-slash-bowling alley. Everything you need for a good night out all in one place! More Info

Mr Wolfs (18+ after 8pm) Up and running for more than 14 years, the family run Mr Wolf's is open 7 nights a week bringing touring artists, DJs, parties and local artists to the stage in the heart of Bristol. More Info

Exchange (18+) Exchange opened its doors as a venue in August 2012. Since opening they have played host to a wide array of artists including The 1975, Haim, George Ezra, Rag n Bone Man, (the) Melvins, Four Tet, IDLES, Sleaford Mods and many more. More Info

Rock City (14+) Nottingham's one and only main stage for #d2dfest. An iconic and internationally renowned Nottingham institution, Rock City has played host to some of the world’s top artists including David Bowie, Nirvana, Oasis, Amy Winehouse and Ed Sheeran throughout it's 40 year history and has become an essential stop on the touring circuit, as well as a well-loved establishment by punters and artists alike. As well as being the perfect main stage, Rock City also houses BETA and The Black Cherry Lounge where you can catch even more of the action. More Info

BETA (14+) Housed in the legendary Rock City and formerly known simply as the Rock City Basement, BETA is a recently refurbished space and the perfect destination for new up and coming artisits in between those big main stage slots. More Info

Black Cherry Lounge (14+) Stick your head out of the door to BETA and look across the hallway and you'll find the Black Cherry Lounge! Another little spot inside Rock City and like it's mate across the hall, a great spot to chill and catch some new music. More Info

The Level (14+) The recently custom built students union bar and venue for Nottingham Trent University has an amazing gig space and serves as our second stage in Nottingham. Here you'll also find The Loft upstairs, which will be headlined by the brilliant FEET. More Info

Rescue Rooms (18+) Since its inauguration into the Nottingham music scene in 2003, Rescue Rooms has developed some rich history. Hosting everyone from the likes of The Killers, Calvin Harris, Four Tet, Chase & Status, Bloc Party, Ellie Goulding and The Libertines. Not only that, but it is THE place to hang out on a sunny May Bank Holiday weekend, whether you're catching some new music at one of its 3 stages or hanging out with a cold one on one of its 2 patios. More Info

Red Room (18+) Upstairs in the Rescue Rooms, you'll find Red Room! A small 100 capacity venue that plays host to all sorts of emerging talent, the likes of Fontaines DC, Sports Team and Willie J Healey made their D2D debuts here. More Info

Stealth (18+) Nottingham’s home to house and dance music is Stealth. Its regular spot in DJ Mag’s ‘Top 100 Clubs in the World’ list is recognition of its continued importance to the ever-changing dance music scene. Head on over for the infamous silent disco - grab your headphones early! More Info

Metronome (14+) Back for 2023, Metronome is a 400-capacity live performance venue with a great reputation for the quality of its sound and visuals. More Info

The Bodega (18+) Universally regarded by locals and students alike as one of the best places to hang out, party and listen to live music in Nottingham – the Bodega is a must visit venue that has been at the very forefront of the midlands music scene over the past two decades. It's a venue that truly embodies the spirit of Dot To Dot, putting an emphasis on new music and upcoming artists throughout the year. More Info

Rough Trade (14+) Long regarded as a hero of exciting new music since the first store opened in London in 1976, when Rough Trade launched a record store and bar in Nottingham we simply had to get them on board as a venue. More Info

31K (18+) A relatively new addition to the Hockley circuit. 31K, so named for a stained glass window reading 31 Kayes, in place since the building belonged to TS Kaye and Sons Toolmakers and Merchants. More Info

The Angel (18+) The Angel (formerly The Old Angel and The Old Angel Inn before that) has stood since the 1600s and is now a Grade II listed building. With a rich history including two murders in the 1700s, life as a chapel and a brothel, and a more recent reputation for live rock, punk and metal music, The Angel remains a stalwart pub on the Nottingham Circuit. More Info

Fox & Grapes Based in Nottingham’s thriving Sneinton Market, and surrounded by small independent businesses and creative studios The Fox & Grapes is a bright and airy single-room pub with ornamented windows to three sides, earning the pub its nickname “Pretty Windows” in the mid-1900s. More Info

The Malt Cross (18+) The Malt Cross is a Grade II listed Victorian Music Hall set at the heart of Nottingham city centre, just off Old Market Square. It is the only Victorian Music Hall in the country that operates as it's original design intended, providing food, drink and live music. More Info

The Old Bus Depot (all ages, then 18+ after 7pm) Located in the heart of Nottingham City Center, The Old Bus Depot stands as a vibrant community arts venue; This dynamic space not only hosts creative endeavours but also provides co-working spaces and an in-house recording studio, making it the perfect space to host some of our local D2D artists. More Info

The Carousel (all ages, then 16+ after 9pm) Located in Hockley, The Carousel is a friendly and inspiring community art space hosting events, exhibitions, workshops and more. Home to many creatives of Nottingham it's a perfect space for Dot To Dot artists to take to the stage. More Info

Jamcafe (14+ until 10pm) Part of the heart and soul of Hockley for over a decade, Jamcafe is a European style bar and venue that lives and breathes live music. With a strong emphasis on supporting local musicians (almost every night of the week), it's the perfect place for a festival like D2D. More Info