Best Live Music Venues and Open Mic Nights in Exeter

Where is the best live music in Exeter?

Exeter doesn't get much credit as a music city. It isn't Bristol and it isn't Brighton. But it has a small-room gig scene that has been running for more than thirty years, and the Exeter Cavern says Coldplay, Muse, The 1975 and Bastille all played it on the way up.

We checked every venue below in September 2026: its Food Standards Agency registration at the listed address, its own website, and a current programme or dated listing. Two venues from our earlier version are gone from this list. We couldn't find current evidence that either one still runs live music, so they don't belong in a live music guide. Several open mic claims went too, because we couldn't confirm a regular night that still runs. Programmes change, so check the venue's own listings before you set off.

Our short verdict: if you only try one place, make it the Cavern for a loud night or the Phoenix for a mixed one. Everything else is best picked by genre.

What are the main live music venues in Exeter?

Exeter Phoenix

Exeter Phoenix is the city's multi-arts centre, at Bradninch Place off Gandy Street. It describes its programme as "live music, theatre, cinema, contemporary art, DJ events, dance, comedy" and more. Its September and October 2026 listings mix folk (Sam Carter Sings Nic Jones) with late club nights such as Unkle Sounds on 23 October. Bookings run well ahead: Bruce Foxton's 50 years of The Jam show is already listed for October 2027. The Wedding Present are playing their Seamonsters 35th anniversary show there on 13 October. The Cavern lists that show too.

Our verdict: the most versatile venue in the city, and the easiest one to go to alone. The café bar gives you somewhere to sit before and after the show, so you're never left standing about. If you're new to Exeter's music scene, this is where we'd start.

Exeter Cavern

The Exeter Cavern at 83–84 Queen Street has been running since 1991. By its own account, the first show was on Valentine's Day that year. The programme leans towards indie, punk, post-punk, hardcore and alternative music. Autumn 2026 dates include Skating Polly on 10 October and Cancer Bats with Ignite on 15 October. Most shows are 18+, with doors at 7pm.

Our verdict: the most important small room in Exeter. It's dark, loud and cramped, and that's the appeal. If you want to find your people in the alternative scene, you'll meet them here more easily than anywhere else, because everyone is packed in close to the stage.

The Lemon Grove

The Lemon Grove ("the Lemmy") is the University of Exeter's music venue, in the Cornwall House complex on the Streatham Campus. The university gives its capacity as "up to 800", depending on layout, and it's normally set up standing for gigs. Programme and tickets are on Live @ Exeter.

Our verdict: go for the booking, not the building. It's a student-union room, but it's the only mid-size standing venue in the city, so it gets touring indie and alternative acts that would skip Exeter otherwise. It's a short walk from St James' Park station.

Exeter Corn Exchange

The Exeter Corn Exchange on Market Street is the city's big central hall. Its current music listings lean on tribute acts (Bee Gees and Abba, Fleetwood Bac, The Ultimate Eagles, The Simon & Garfunkel Story) and folk, with Seth Lakeman on 13 October 2026 and Fairport Convention in February 2027. The Blow Monkeys play on 14 October, and there is plenty of comedy alongside the music.

Our verdict: this is the one to pick if you'd rather sit and listen than stand and sway. It usually gets an older crowd than the Lemmy, and it's a short walk from the restaurants on South Street and Fore Street, so it works well for a date night.

Where can you hear jazz in Exeter?

Blue Vanguard at the Cygnet Theatre

Blue Vanguard is Exeter's monthly jazz club. It puts on national touring players at the Cygnet Theatre. Doors open at 7pm and the music runs 7.30–10pm. Its 2026 programme includes Sara Colman (vocals) on 24 September, Ben Cummings (trumpet) on 22 October and Amy Roberts (sax and flute) on 17 December. Online booking closes at 5pm on the day, and unreserved seats may be available at the door.

Our verdict: the best listening experience in the city for jazz. It's a seated, attentive audience, and if you go every month you'll soon start recognising the regulars.

The Bootlegger

The Bootlegger at 162–163 Fore Street is a prohibition-themed cocktail bar. Its site lists regular live music "featuring a vibrant mix of rock 'n' roll, jazz, and blues", from swing to soul.

Our verdict: this is jazz as the soundtrack to a night out, not a concert. You can talk over it, which makes it a good first-meeting spot. It pairs naturally with the rest of our cocktail bars guide.

Which Exeter pubs and bars have regular live music?

Ludo Live Lounge

Ludo Exeter in the Guildhall Shopping Centre is mainly a sports bar, but its Live Lounge runs every Friday from 9.30pm. Local acts play funk, pop-punk and rock covers. There's also a roof terrace upstairs.

Our verdict: covers and crowd-pleasers, not new music. But it's a reliable Friday for a mixed group where not everyone is a gig-goer.

The Old Firehouse

The Old Firehouse at 50 New North Road calls itself "a live music institution" and currently advertises monthly live music sessions alongside its quiz and pizza. Its website events page had no dated gigs when we checked, so follow its social channels for dates. Its own site says it hosts "regular live music nights, DJ sessions, and open mic events", though no dated open mic night was listed.

Our verdict: a proper late-night pub (it's open until 3am on Fridays) with gigs as a bonus rather than the main event. Go for the room and treat any music as extra. There's more in our best pubs in Exeter guide.

The Stand Off

The Stand Off at Portland House, Longbrook Street, now bills itself as Exeter's Irish bar. It combines live sport with a "Live Music & Line-Up" programme of bands, with Irish bands a particular draw.

Our verdict: the best choice if you want a party band and a pint of Guinness after the match. For the sport side, see our sports bars guide.

Are there open mic nights in Exeter?

Open mic nights in Exeter come and go faster than any other kind of music night. We couldn't confirm a weekly open mic that was still running in September 2026, so we haven't listed one. The best lead is The Old Firehouse on New North Road, which says on its own website that it runs open mic events. Its site showed no dated open mic night when we checked, so check its social channels first. Our earlier recommendations have been removed rather than left up without checking. The most reliable approach is to check pub and café social channels in the week you want to go, and to watch the Phoenix listings for showcase nights.

How do you use live music to meet people in Exeter?

Live music gives strangers something in common straight away: you both chose this band, on this night. That makes gigs one of the easiest places to go out on your own. Arrive early, stand near the bar and talk about the support act.

We've written about how music brings people together in Exeter. The practical version is to do it regularly. Go to Blue Vanguard every month, or a Cavern gig every few weeks, and faces turn into names. If you want groups that meet regularly, see our social clubs guide.

Good music, then good company

If you like evenings out but want the conversation too, that's what we built Dinners With Friends for: small groups, good restaurants and time to actually talk.