The Knowhere Guide

The Local Music Scene in Portsmouth, Hampshire*

Portsmouth, Hampshire Record Shops and Venues

Record Shops

• Reflex Records, Southsea
• focus sounds - waterlooville
• Reflex Records on Albert Road
• Re: Ross Records. We don't have the branch in Waterlooville anymore - (lease sold)but better than ever at the North End branch. 1000's of pre-owned DVDs compliment the favourite lines that you are all used to! I'll be here for the next 40 years....Benny Ross
• HMV (Gunwharf and Commercial Road) have always got good stuff. Old and new! Virgin too, usually have an offer on too which is good.
• Albert Road is full of specialist record shops, oldies, alt shops..etc. Just have a moosey down there.
• Albert Road is great for specialist & independent record stores like Reflex & Boomhound Records. Ross Records in North End has an excellent selection of second hand CDs & Games at low prices.
• Ross Records- Kington Road (owned and run by Benny Ross for 40 years or so - with another branch in Waterlooville) DOES display records in a 'sort-of' organised way - they are alphabetical based on the first letter of the artists name, regardless of music genre - you might find 'The Beatles' among the 'T's and 'A quartet' with the A's. There is also a separate rack for CDs marked down from some earlier price - that might be something nearly new marked down £1 or something they can't shift marked down TO £1. There are enormous bargains on stuff they don't recognise. Can be the greatest Treasure Trove shop anywhere in the U.K. - especially if Benny is in a 'dumping' mood.
• HMV. All you need to know
• HMV Gunwarf has an excellent range
• Under Your Nose Records, in Dresscode (Albert Road). Selling local music and some classic vinyl.
• Reflex Records in Albert Road is the best place to get Cds and far cheaper than anywhere else.
• Try Virgin or HMV. There is an independant shop down albert road but i cant remember what its called or where it is.
• Speak to Nick @ Sweet Memories in Fratton Road > he does know his records
• Sweet Memories Record shop in Fratton Road - Established 10 years over 50,000 rare vinyl records from the 50s 60s 70s 80s 90s This vinyl records shop is well worth a visit! http://www.vinylrecords.co.uk/
• AJ's record exchange. A lot of dodgy 80's stuff, but plenty of weird old vinyl too (jazz and easy listening). Can sometimes get 3 lps for a fiver. Used to deal in collectable porno mags too...
• Ross records - loads of great records at really cheap prices - check it out
• AJ's in Albert Road new and vintage tracks. Ask for Adam. Just say Jim sent you. Great prices.
• PopScene, in Cosham High Street is one of the best independent stores around for both new and used DCs (and vinyl). Loads of imports.
• Ross Records in North End is the best second hand CD place around. You need patience though as they are not grouped alphabetically. Some people think this is strange - but it's all part of the ritual! Also Reflex Records on Albert Road. They even still have vinyl.
• the new virgin store in commerical road has alot to offer
• Reflex records is a good one in albert road lots of alternative stuf there as well!!!
• Reflex records 'bert rd- great, groovy and cute staff
• Virgin...Commercial road. Best independent...ROSS Records on Kingston Road
• Domino's Records have now closed down (or maybe relocated without me realising.......???). Ross Records in Kingston Road is pretty cool for second hand CD'S. If you look close enough you may find a bargain!!!
• Uncle Al's record shop, In the back of Bored store skate shop- 97 Elm Grove Soutsea 01705 426388
• Domino Records has now moved to Edinburgh Road

Clubs (Dance Music) and Music Bars

• Any where along Albert road Southsea is a good bet if your into all the alternative stuff. Little jonny Russels is your best bet for a good night out.
• ROUTE66 IS THE BESTEST PLACE EVER. I LOVE ROUTEY. brilliantly cheesy, get there early cause its always packed to the rafters!!!!!!!!!!! definately go there the best fun ever whhhooooooooooooo yeah baby oo
• Southsea rocks - at the Frog on the front underneath the Pyramids music venue. A fine selection of Metal, rock and dancier EBM and industrial music. open from 8 til 2, only 4 quid to get in and the drinks are dirt cheap!
• TIME!!!! Southsea Sea Front Many a good time to be had! :D Best from my experience on a Saturday and a Thursday. Tuesday is good too but have only been on a Tuesday once. Played some old skool which was a rarity but good!
• Route 66 - alternative night on a monday, it tends to be the same people but once you get to know people you always seem to have a good time.Entry is £1 before 11. Tends to stick to indie rock [Killers, Franz Ferdinand..etc] but time to time adds some good ol' ska, and heavier stuff like SOAD or RATM. Scandals Cellar Bar on a thursday has an alternative night, I've been told it's rather good but a *very* small venue. SUB on a friday - another alt night. Southsea Rocks - Saturday on the Pier. Similar to Route on a monday. Expensive to get in though. Registry have 'thursday thing' which always features DJ's who play a variety of music and often have bands play as well.
• Route 66 on Guildhall Walk holds "Delight" on mondays, good honest indie student night with a little bit of drum & bass mixed in. Breakneck is one of the country's best Drum & Bass nights attracting big names. It's held monthly on the 1st friday of every month on South Parade Pier. Chaos another reasonable indie night, every saturday night on South Parade Pier. The Wedgewood Rooms in Southsea is always worth checking out, they have "The Go-Off" (Hip-Hop), Funkt-if-ino (dance/funk/r&b) and Hipshaker (60's soul & beat) on monthly plus loads of new bands. For people with "heavier" tastes Subversion at EQ on Fridays offers a more indie playlist upstairs but with a very heavy playlist downstairs.
• The biggest student club night on the calendar is still Vodka Island @ Tiger Tiger. Sexy guys and gals, cheap drinks and wicked music from The Baxter brothers...everyone is sure to experience the Island at one point!
• Has to be the Registry, although it can be a bit alternative, so maybe the Eldon?
• Indigo!!!!
• Lost in London is always good. I LOVE TECHNO in Belgium! As for Portsmouth, check out Binary Nation, Electramento, Release, Phase 2 and Under Your Nose. These are night run on the pier and the Wedge from time to time.
• Time + Envy !!
• Time + Envy :)
• Route 66 is no longer at Palmerston Road. Route 66 as moved to the old Martines/Europa building in Commercial Road. Really cheesy and stick to the carpet fun. The old Route 66 is now Chicago Rock which has a much better updated look. Particularly the carpets and toilets. Still cheesy music but great for a laugh. Tiger Tiger in Gunwharf is also worth a look but the drinks are expensive!!
• Time & Envy... One of the best nights out ive had since movin down here.. Might only have bin a Thursday, but with the very fine podium dancer (the bloke).. then entertainment was well worth it!! Great music.. gr8 drink.. gr8 night out!!
• Places to be seen at - Tangerine Suite/Bar Bluu wednesday,time & envy thursday,havent found anywhere good for fridays,time & envy again saturday then back to tangerine on sunday to finish the week off.average money spent a week clubbing (4 nights) - £50. Easy days.
• New nights in Portsmouth for those who dont want cheese and commercial pop include BREAKNECK Drum&Bass on South Parade Pier, dj's include ANDY C,LEMON D,FABIO,GROOVERIDER,RICHARD FEARLESS,MAURO PICOTTO!!!no cheese please.Also look out for 1 off nights at Tangerine Suite, dj's have included MR C,ROGER SANCHEZ, TIM DELUXE.Alternatively just go to Brighton or Bournemouth.
• Indigo rocks! It's 4 14-17year olds and has grunge music, i love it there, no1 really judges u and u can make a fool out of yourself and no one cares! I love the moshing thats fun although most of the time i tend to stay out the way, it's wicked there!
• Bar Me, fond memories of silly songs around midnight.
• -Anyone remember Hysteric Uproar at the Wedgwood rooms for over 16's? Those were the days.. I'm not a sad old perve, I was that age too. Like a school disco but with more fights. -The Regal Palace in North End. Surely there is no place more regal to spend a night out?
• Joanna's - OH MY GOD! Never seen such big women in my life! Think they've moved the bar out to let them get in behind it. And your feet stick to the floor - so no loafers. Bar Me in the City Centre is crap - take at least 14 forms of ID to get past the bouncers.
• the best and only under 18's club in portsmouth is vibrant or if ur a skater,grunger,mosher etc. indigo they used 2 b at time and envy but now vibrant is in jongleurs down gunwharf and indigo is sum where along museum rd go 2 the guildhall 4 tickets there about 6 squid i fink...........
• Best club in portsmouth has to be Time and Envy - they have a good selection of music both chart dance and garage. Friday nites just £2 to get in and £2 a drink
• Hardy a club but the Wedgewood Rooms on Albert Road is always good for a late beer and boogie - ALL ages and you can get in with jeans....
• time and envy which used to be called 5th avenue those were the days!
• Scandals on thursday nights!!!!Its underground dirty and the D.J plays shit music!!! Perfect for all us social out casts!!!
• Uropa on a Monday night- good music and the cutest people
• Time and Envy...not so much of a cattle market as it used to be + good decor Scandals...for the Hispanic Scene......oooo loverly ladies Funkt If I know (usualy in the Wedgewood rooms) Basement....good vibe Route 66....not bad Harry Limes...nice n easy Friscos....alright if u like inbreds Uropa....ok Joannas.....if you are brave Hoddys......if your realy brave The Pyramids...if your desperate Emmas..........if your really deperate The Mllemium....if your stupid ps...Tiger Tiger is opening in Gunwharf within 6 months...thank God E
• route 66 is hot any night. the town hall is always loaded with nice people
• The Portsmouth club scence is featured in a new website www.getanightlife.co.uk. Go there now it's great.
• Martine's in Guildhall Walk is now named Club Uropa ( crap spelling if you ask me!). Fifth Avenue is now called 'Time' and the decor is now much better. It is presently without the smell of stale vomit but it can only be a matter of time before it returns.
• Passed out years ago!
• If you have a tatoo don`t go to ROUTE 66, WOW what a bunch of plonkers, you are not allowed in with a tatoo, I have been in the Disco Business for 27 years, Route 66 must get a grip, it`s not tatoo`s that fight people do. It is very sad when admission is refused for body art. Doormen seem OK but no credibility has been gained in my books for this stupid rule. Route 66 is on the road to knowhere
• Route 66 in Palmerston Road is cool. They play fun music and there's a mixed crowd of all ages that go there. Everyone fits in. It's very popular however, and sometimes you have to queue for a long time! The Hogshead pub is right next door so we usually start there and tumble into Route towards closing time!
• definitely not the ex-Europa. it's called Martines. remember the foxy and sexy woman posters outside the club??? the music can bore you to death in 10 minutes.
• 'Route' is pretty good, music is better than your average club, though it does get a tad packed in there. Like most clubs in the city they haven't cracked the 'prat on the dancefloor' element who flail around like an exocet missile ..... but otherwise OK!!
• Basement, Students union
• 5th Avenue is the tackiest and fabbest place to be. Thursdays is host to under 16's and over 50's! It's great fun and you're bound to bump into people you know down there. The Glasshouse is a great venue that boasts hip and happening DJ's of the minute like Dave Pearce.
• Wedgwood Rooms for Jazz Funk, Gaeity Bars, Pyramids for gigs, clubs. The Student Union is back on its feet, cool club nights, live bands etc. Cream DJs, Ocean Coloured Scene, The Outhere Brothers, My Life Story, EMF, Zion Train, Snowboy, and a regular monthly Mod revival revival revival night...

Live Music Venues

• Wedgewood Rooms
• WEDGE
• Old House at Home in Milton do an open mic night every Thursday night, it has a great atmosphere
• Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms. No better place Portsmouth Pyramids Portsmouth Guildhall
• Wedgewood Rooms in Southsea, Pyramids in Southsea, Guildhall in Portsmouth are all good ones.
• Occasionally the Registry for local bands. The Wedgewood Rooms and Edge of the Wedge for bigger bands and local ones as well. Small venue but nice atmosphere. The Pyramids and Guildhall tend to 'host' the biggest bands.
• The Wedgewood Rooms is a great place to catch up and coming bands. The Guildhall & The Pyramids Centre usually have several mid-sized touring bands a year. For bigger concerts, it's usuallly a trip to Brighton international Centre or London.
• Portsmouth Jazz Society offers sessions including top international jazz names (like Scott Hamilton) at "Inn Lodge", Burrfields Road next to the golf course -- phone 02392-824-373
• The R.M.A. Eastney is a good place to see mid level, blues and roots music. Check Out the Bullfrog Blues Club for the best Blues Bands, every Thursday. The website is www.barkingspider.abelgratis.com
• every friday night at the frog on the front there is an evening called messclean a good mix of live local bands and good PA.
• wedgewood rooms is cool horse shoe was cool (r.i.p) watch out for masters of the universe, the dynamics and eves only son.
• There's a thing called the Bullfrog Blues club on South Parade Pier, weekly. They're having Shane McGowen and the Popes there soon. Visit the barking spider promos site for more info.
• The RMA Tavern on Cromwell road is the premier blues and rock pub in Portsmouth. Music every tuesday an saturday night FREE ENTRY.
• Wedgewood rooms
• Wedgewood rooms (for our sins).
• The Wedgewood Rooms, Albert Road. Loads of famous names have played there.
• Wedgewood Rooms allways has the latest bands and is allways packed out, drinks are a bit pricy tho.
• The Eastney Tavern is great when "Angie Haynes and Last Orders" play there. Keep an eye out for this band as they don't seem to gig often.
• The Wedge obviously.
• Power in the park happens in like the city next to us! Thats fun! Indigo has rock bands! Oh yeah and sometimes bands do gigs at The Guildhall and in southsea!
• september 27th 9-2.gaiety showbar south parade pier portsmouth. £10.beamish versus oberon,matt handy versus matt loraineplus many others.info at 07977148446
• Wedgewood Rooms, Horseshoe, Pyramids > all the worthwhile bands come here.
• Roger Courtney's Open Mike Club At The Barn, The Milton Arms, Milton Road, Portsmouth. Every Thursday from 7pm until 11pm This Private Members Club provides a venue for musicians and singers of all talents and ages to get together and have a chance to perform in front of a live audience.Everybody is welcome and if your not a musician of any sorts you can simply join the audience for a great, unpredictable nights entertainment! If you don't play an instrument but would like to sing, simply bring along your favourite backing tracks on CD and we will do the rest. So, if you enjoy music, as a listener or performer, come along to "The open mike music club" on Thursdays at the Barn, The Milton Arms, Portsmouth and have a great night out! A good quality Sound System, Keyboards, microphones etc, are all provided. Just bring your own instruments, guitars, etc if you want to play. Website www.thursdaymusic.co.uk Telephone Nick Courtney 02392 837730
• Still only one Wedgewood Rooms, Watch out for the gig here by The Prize.
• The Wedgewood Rooms has all sorts of gigs: comedy, tribute bands, new bands and some very old bands...
• Numero Uno....Wedgewood Rooms...best in the south Pyramids....good medium size acts Guildhall...mainly has been acts Contented Pig....Rocker gigs Air Balloon....You have to have loads of tats, a bike and a beard for this place The Horshoe...Good Indie scene Most of the Firkin pubs have live acts ocasionaly
• Zeus on Albert Road is a must-go place...there're salsa classes and the music is gorgeous!!!! Scandals (a basement) is small yet the music is the biggest hit on my own billboard - spanish, latin, and more!!! But sorry that i can't remember the addresses. It's near Blackwell bookshop (not the one off commercial road)
• The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea, not strictly in Portsmouth, but quite the most exciting gig venue in a considerable radius.
• Wedgewood rooms, Pyramids, Students union
• THE Garage
• Wedgewood Rooms is a killer of a music place. Great bands play there frequently. The Pyramids also play host to big names such as 'Babybird', 'Symposium', 'Skunk Anansie' and loads more.

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Last updated: 2008-08-13