From quirky bars to world-renowned festivals
Cambridge hosts some of the coolest music venues, from swanky cocktail bars to a smokehouse, quirky pub, American Latin restaurant, and music festivals. Here’s our guide to some of the best of them, and don’t forget to check out our What’s On page for the latest music events.
Latin American music at Cuba Libre
Feel the rhythm at Cuba Libre, with hot beats and cool cocktails during lunch and dinner time. Fancy dancing the night away? Head over to Cuba Libre on Fridays and Saturdays.
Originally opened in 2022, Cuba Libre has become a very popular and well-loved restaurant and bar. Based in the heart of the city of Cambridge Regent Street, it is one of the first Latin American restaurants to open in the city, which takes inspiration from the diversity of Latin American cuisine.
The Shelford Feast is back!
A week of live music, comedy, food and drink in Great Shelford, Cambridgeshire, at the beginning of July.
We are delighted to continue our partnership with Tucker Gardner Estate Agents as our primary sponsor for 2023. All profits donated to local charities: almost £350,000 since 1994!
Follow us for imminent updates, and find more details on our website:
See you all at The Feast!
Every Friday, music overlooking the River Cam!
The unique recipes for our garden cocktails and homemade cordials take inspiration from local nature and history, as well as recipes from the city and the land. Open to residents and visitors alike.
Keep an eye out on our social media for upcoming live music events at the Garden House.
Join OTO, the Old Ticket Office, every Tuesday from 7 pm- 9 pm, starting from the 7th of November, for their live music sessions in partnership with Cambridge BID and Love Cambridge!
And what’s more, it’s all free!
Cambridge Jazz Festival
Jazz, talks and fringe events. The Cambridge Jazz Festival, held in November, is a celebration of the huge variety of music that jazz encompasses, from gipsy jazz to funk, from jazz poetry and spoken word to hip-hop, from solo artists to big bands, and to open jazz up to new audiences, particularly young people, and to give them a chance to get involved as well as come and listen.
Listen to the fine tunes of the piano
Piano tunes at a hidden gem …
Oh, we do love this place. Right within the hustle and bustle of Cambridge, but for many still unknown! The Orator is tucked away behind the Round Church and part of the well-known Cambridge Union Society, where they hold debates and invite famous speakers. However, members only!
Now, every Wednesday from 7 pm, you can sip cocktails or a glass of wine or meet up with friends for dinner over the lovely tunes of piano tunes.
Enjoy Jazz in the Atrium at the Gonville Hotel
Guests from across the jazz spectrum join Robin Phillips to provide the slickest vocal jazz soundtrack to your Saturday and Friday evenings. The performance takes place in the Atrium.
Tall Trees Wednesday Session, open mic and live music
Situated just outside the very centre of the city stands Tall Trees, a venue where live music and creativity thrive six nights a week! A space where the community experiences amazing moments together through music and kindness. You can experience all kinds of music, from world-class fiddle players to house DJs, along with the very best of the local bands and talent from throughout the county and touring bands.
The legendary Wednesday sessions are hosted by Johnny Wright and join Tall Trees on one of the open mic nights.
FREE ENTRY!
Check out the events link a week prior to the event to find out who will be performing.
The Piano Bar at De Luca
Robin P-iano has a repertoire of well over 1,000 songs and adds to his repertoire constantly, making sure he’s always ready for the latest hit.. It’s also as much about the audience as it is the performer, so there’s always the chance to sing along to your favourite tune!
The Piano Bar is open weekly on Friday and Saturday evenings from 8 pm, with piano shows from 9:30 pm until late.
Have a great time!
The Cambridge Club Festival
The Cambridge Club Festival returns this summer – for another feel-good celebration of Music, Arts and Culture for all ages.
Three days of dancing and discovering at the beginning of June at the beautiful Childerley Orchard, Cambridge.
Expect some of the world’s most iconic Disco, Funk, Soul, Pop and R&B artists performing live – plus more music, extra stages, comedy & entertainment, delicious street food, and much more…
The Cambridge Folk Festival
Cambridge Folk Festival is one of the longest running folk festivals in the world. Held each year in July since 1965, it attracts around fourteen thousand people, many of whom return year after year.
The Festival is renowned for its unique atmosphere and its eclectic mix of music, the best traditional folk artists from the UK and Ireland rub shoulders with cutting edge contemporary acts, the finest American country, blues and roots artists, acclaimed singer songwriters, famous names and world music stars. Find out more about the Festival lineup in the link below.
Mill Road Winter Fair
Mill Road Winter Fair is a celebration of the community along one of Cambridge’s most diverse and vibrant roads. Usually held on the first Saturday of December, the Fair brings together local businesses and organisations, shops and stallholders, musicians, artists and dancers in one day of festival joy.
Cambridge Music Festival
Cambridge Music Festival originally grew out of a major celebration in 1991 to mark the bicentenary of Mozart’s death. Local music groups, invited artists, schools and many parts of the community came together for a series of over 70 events across four weeks, organised and directed by Gillian Perkins, who subsequently mounted a festival every three years until her retirement in 2009.
The Festival now takes place each November and aims to present classical music in bold, imaginative and inspiring ways. In a city that is positively awash with concerts, the Festival aims to present a carefully chosen programme of world-class artists — whether well known figures or rising stars — who would not otherwise visit the city.
Monthly live music sessions at the Negroni Bar
Relax and taste the real Italy. Authentic Italian restaurant and wine bar in Cambridge serving pizza, pasta, puds and wine. Sharing the passion and tradition of homemade Italian food and recipes like mamma makes. Check out their social media for their live music events in the funky Negroni Lounge Bar.
Music at the Botanic Gardens
On Wednesday evenings in July, Cambridge University Botanic Garden rings to the sound of live music when we present Sounds Green – the best in open-air music. Bring a rug and a picnic. Food, ice creams and drinks are on sale. Open to all ages. Music from 6.15pm. Garden closes at 8.30pm.
The Portland
For decades the Portland has been an essential part of the Cambridge live music scene welcoming local, national and international acts of all genres and backgrounds to play in our dedicated venue space.
The Portland Arms is a traditional English pub serving fine real ales, specialty beers from around the world and home cooked food in a cosy, friendly setting.
There has been an Inn on this site since the 1880’s when it was called the Scales Hotel. The current building dates from the 1930’s and was designed by renowned architect Basil Oliver (1882-1948) who designed a number of “Improved Public Houses” for Barclay Perkins.
Hayley and Steve Pellegrini are the licencees and have been running The Portland since 2004.
There is more…
Don’t forget to check out our What’s On page for the latest updates in the music scene, and if you are looking for concerts and other music performances, The Corn Exchange and The Junction are the ones to check out for the big names.
Gerla
