Folk Clubs & Singarounds

I travel around the country quite bit for work, which gives me the chance to check out some clubs and singarounds. The places listed below are ones where I’ve enjoyed a friendly welcome and had a good time!! This list isn’t comprehensive as I’ve been to some other places occasionally that I’ve forgotten about, so I hope no venues I haven’t listed are offended that I’ve not listed them!!

Singarounds

What I mean by this is somewhere where people have a seat in the club and singing/playing just goes round in turn, with people staying where they are, as a pose to going up to the front, where it becomes more of a club-type ‘performance’. Personally, I prefer a club-style venue, but singarounds can be fun, too.


The Wicket Inn
Address:
The Wicket Inn, Lea Heath, WS15 3NS
Review:
This is very friendly - and the beer's good. Takes some finding as it's in the middle of nowhere! Every Thursday - starts 9-9.30 pm (or sometimes later!!). Tends to be mainly contemporary.
Type:
singaround
URL:
www.wicketinn.co.uk


Spittal Brook Inn
Address:
Spittal Brook Inn, 106 Lichfield Road, Stafford ST17 4LP
Review:
Excellent beer again. Every Tuesday - starts about 9.00. This ones more mixed trad/contemporary.
Type:
singaround
URL:
www.spittalbrookfolk.org.uk


Nonsuch Folk Club
Address:
Nonsuch Folk Club, Bishops Waltham (Hampshire)
Review:
Every week on Tuesday, at the Bishops Waltham Social Club, Houchin Street, Bishops Waltham, Hampshire SO32 1AR, starting around 8.30, occasionally with a feature spot. I've been a few times and it's always very welcoming - and with a wide mix of music types.
Type:
singaround
URL:
www.nonsuchfolkclub.com


St Denys Folk & Blues Club
Address:
St Denys Folk & Blues Club, Southampton
Review:
Every week on Wednesday - starts between 8.30 and 9.00, at Riverside Club, Priory Avenue, St Denys, Southampton SO17 2LT. I've only been a couple of times, but was very warmly welcomed.
Type:
singaround
URL:
http://stdenysfolk.org.uk


Haddington Folk Club
Address:
Haddington Folk Club (East Lothian)
Review:
If you're North of the Border (Haddington's a bit along the coast east from Edinburgh), this is a really nice place to drop by (folk club is in an upstairs room). At the Mercat Hotel, High Street, Haddington - starts about 8.30 (I think!). It's a pretty busy club - so many performers, that you only get to do a couple of numbers. It's a very friendly venue - welcoming even to a Sassenach. They mocked me terribly once when I went and it was a Burns Night Special (how was an Englishman supposed to know a thing like that..??) and couldn't sing them a Burns song! But I was never mocked more nicely!!. They have a guest occasionally
Type:
singaround
URL:
www.haddingtonfolkclub.co.uk


Artillery Arms
Address:
Artillery Arms, Plymouth
Review:
This is fortnightly - Pound Street, Plymouth PL1 3RH - check with the pub which week it's on!! Starts about 9.00, very friendly and a good variety of styles.
Type:
singaround
URL:
N/A


Bedford Folk Club
Address:
Bedford Folk Club
Review:
Every Wednesday, starting about 8.30, at Daleys Club, 86a Bedford Rd, Kempston, Bedford MK42 8BB. Good mixture of styles. They have guests about once/month.
Type:
club
URL:
www.docsworkshop.force9.co.uk/bfc.htm


Chanticleer Acoustic & Traditional Music Club
Address:
Chanticleer Acoustic & Traditional Music Club (Dorking)
Review:
Every Wednesday, starting about 8.30, at the Social Club, Friends Provident, off Pixham Lane, Dorking, Surrey. Couple of singers nights/month, couple of guest nights.
Type:
club
URL:
www.chanticleerfolk.co.uk


Willows Folk Club
Address:
Willows Folk Club (Arundel)
Review:
Every Wednesday - I think it starts by 8.30 (as best I remember - haven't been for a bit...). Alternately guest nights and singers nights. Run by the amazingly enthusiastic Chris (another mandolinist so bound to be a good bloke!!!) It's at Arundel Football Club, Mill Rd, Arundel, W Sussex BN18 9PA.
Type:
club
URL:
www.willowsfolk.org


Cheque Mates
Address:
Cheque Mates (Hopwas near Tamworth, Staffs)
Review:
Every Thursday, starting between 8.30 and 9.00. Guest approx once/month. It's held at the Coton & Hopwas Social Club, School Lane, Hopwas, B78 3AB. Run by Tim and Sandra who are really nice people - they set an easy-going atmosphere and make it a very relaxed place to perform.
Type:
club
URL:
http://clarettheband.tripod.com/chequemates.htm


Unicorn Folk Club
Address:
Unicorn Folk Club (Wheaton Aston, Staffs)
Review:
Every Friday - starting about 8.45, in the upstairs room at the Bradford Arms, Ivetsey Bank (it's on the A5 near Wheaton Aston). Every other week is a singer's night - but book a spot by phoning Vicky.
Type:
club
URL:
www.unicornfolkclub.co.uk


Otley Folk Club
Address:
Korks Wine Bar, Bondgate, Otley, W Yorks LS21 1AD
Review:
Every Wednesday, starting about 8.30, in the back room of Korks Wine Bar, Bondgate, Otley, W Yorks LS21 1AD. Alternating between singers and guest nights. Singers nights are very popular (with a very good selection of styles, and a very high standard), so get there on time to be sure of a go!
Type:
club
URL:
www.otleyfolkclub.org.uk


Foggy Furze Folk Club
Address:
Traveller's Rest, Stockton Road, Hartlepool, TS25 1LB
Review:
Every Tuesday, at the Traveller's Rest, Stockton Road, Hartlepool, TS25 1LB, starting about 8.30. Guest once/month, otherwise singer's nights. This is a very, very friendly venue where any type of music is welcome. It's one of those places where you come out at the end with a big silly grin...
Type:
club
URL:
www.foggyfurzefolk.com


Havering Folk Club (Romford)
Address:
Drill Hotel, Brentwood Road, Romford, Essex RM2 5TD
Review:
Every Wednesday, starting 8(ish) at the Drill Hotel, Brentwood Road, Romford, Essex RM2 5TD. Occasional guests and features for local singers. Very friendly, and a very wide mix of music.
Type:
club
URL:
www.haveringfolkclub.bravehost.com