WaterBear MusicBar About Us
The WaterBear MusicBar is a grassroots live music venue in Brighton operated by WaterBear, a specialist music college dedicated to supporting musicians, artists and the live music industry.
Keeping Music Live in Brighton
With a long and varied history as a performance space, the MusicBar remains a cornerstone of Brighton’s independent music scene. Today, it blends its historic legacy with a forward-looking mission to support new talent and inclusive live music experiences.
Since 2025, WaterBear – The College of Music has run the MusicBar, embedding learning within the local music community and helping protect grassroots venues through our Keeping Music Live campaign. Our goal is to safeguard these spaces and the wider music ecosystem, essential to the growth of artists and the industry alike.
A Home for Live Music & Creative Events
An extensive and varied programme of events runs throughout the year, including live gigs, club nights, jam nights, open mics, special events and showcases. Creativity in all forms is celebrated, and the venue is available to hire for a wide range of events, from touring gigs and private functions to showcases for hundreds of creatives. We pride ourselves on providing a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space for everyone who attends, hosts, or performs.
The ground floor houses the main bar and an intimate acoustic stage with seating throughout the room. Downstairs, the basement features the main performance space, available for gigs and private events, with a capacity of 100 standing or up to 50 seated in rows.
As an official venue for The Great Escape Festival and a collaborator with Brighton Fringe, the MusicBar supports emerging artists from around the world and operates as a bookable space for hundreds of creatives to showcase their work.
“During the summer of 2025 we set out on a mission to not only revive this space and breathe new life into it but maintain its iconic reputation as an outstanding venue within Brighton’s incredible Music Scene. We are here for not only the musicians at WaterBear but for the whole of Brighton and wider community. Welcoming everyone through our doors.”
Luke, Manager – WaterBear MusicBar
The MusicBar’s History
The building which now holds the WaterBear MusicBar has been known by various names over the years (The Manchester Street Arts Club, The Latest Music Bar, Joogleberry Playhouse and The Komedia). Originally standing as one of 4 Billiard rooms in Brighton, up until 1824 which then the now Grade 2 listed building started its transformation into various establishments including a working men’s club, Church, Boys school, theatre and now live music venue. Since becoming a live music venue, it has seen performances from the likes of Amy Winehouse, Royal Blood, Idles, Chris Difford of Squeeze, the Kooks, Ben Howard, Rizzle Kicks just to name a few.
Keeping Music Live
Launched in early 2025, WaterBear’s Keeping Music Live national campaign was created to protect, support and raise awareness of the vital role independent grassroots music venues play in at the heart of the UK music industry, nurturing emerging bands, artists and music professionals. Our belief in Keeping Music Live, and in the enduring potential of grassroots venues, remains central to our DIY ethos and dynamic community of up-and-coming creatives.
WaterBear – The College of Music
The MusicBar is run by WaterBear, a music college with locations in Brighton, Sheffield and online, to create a space for students, artists, and musicians to learn their craft while supporting grassroots music and the live music industry. Just a short walk from the WaterBear Brighton headquarters on Queens Road, the venue serves as a meeting place for students, hosts student-led events, live performance workshops, masterclasses, and special events such as Freshers’ Week.
Live Music Gallery
Explore photos from live gigs, club nights and special events at the WaterBear MusicBar in Brighton.
