Events and Programming
Basement 45 is primarily a late-night club and grassroots events venue, best known for underground electronic music. Its programme regularly covers drum and bass, jungle, dubstep, UK garage, house, techno, trance, acid, hardcore, hard dance, grime, breakbeat and other bass-led styles. The venue also accommodates comedy, themed parties, student events, queer nightlife, live performances, DJ showcases and private celebrations.
The club’s public programme shows a deliberate mix of established artists, local DJs and new promoters. Earlier headline and guest appearances listed by the venue include Skrillex, Skream, Eats Everything, Disclosure, LTJ Bukem, Alix Perez, Benga, Katy B, Jackmaster, Friction, James Blake, Nero, Caspa, Wookie, DJ Krust, Horse Meat Disco, Black Sun Empire and many others. The list spans several generations of Bristol and UK dance music rather than representing one fixed genre.
Recent programming from 2021 to 2026 illustrates the range. In 2021, Bristol Mix Sessions presented drum and bass labels and artists, whilst other listings covered 160-breakbeat music, hardcore, garage and local multi-genre nights. In 2023, the venue hosted the Grrrl Crush Bristol Pride afterparty, Nois Collective and other local promoter-led events. Comedy became a significant daytime and early-evening strand in 2024, alongside acid, house, hardcore, freshers’ drum and bass and harder bass nights.
The 2025 programme included multi-room nights such as Wet January, a Beat:Cancer hard-dance fundraiser, metal and emo club events, Pride programming, trance and tekno showcases, and further drum and bass and rave events. Comedy listings used the rooms differently from a standard club night, with audiences seated close to performers in a compact, communal arrangement.
As of 13 September 2026, announced events for the rest of the year include freshers’ parties, hard dance, Bollywood, multi-room rave, drum and bass, themed alternative events, UKRAVE programming, Dark Neon and Twisted Vision. A Beat:Cancer event featuring Ian Van Dahl is also listed for 6 February 2027. These announcements suggest that Basement 45 intends to continue prioritising promoter-led electronic music, themed nights, charitable events and occasional crossover programming rather than conventional touring concerts.
Typical club nights run from approximately 10pm until 3am, although some Friday and Saturday events continue until 4am. Comedy and daytime charity events may begin much earlier. Ticket prices vary by promoter and release stage, but verified examples have ranged from roughly £3 to £12 in advance, with some specialist or charity events costing more and door prices usually higher.
Tickets and Booking
Tickets are normally sold through the individual event listing or the promoter’s authorised advance sale. Basement 45 does not appear to operate a permanent, publicly advertised box office with standard opening hours. Some events offer door sales, but this is event-specific and should never be assumed if an event is likely to sell out.
Advance tickets are usually the best-value option. Several listings use staged pricing: a low early-bird price, a higher general-release price and a further increase close to the event or at the door. Bristol Goes Hard, for example, advertised tickets from £3, whilst other events have used £5 launch pricing, £10 standard entry or £12 Pride-related pricing.
Popular student and freshers’ events deserve particular caution. A 2024 freshers’ listing referred to a sold-out previous edition, stated that tickets usually sell quickly and specified a midnight last-entry time. Arrive before the stated deadline even if you have a ticket: admission remains subject to the event’s door policy, valid identification and capacity controls.
For private bookings, the published hire structure includes the full venue, Room 1, Room 2, The Den and the Bijou room. Hire prices and conditions vary according to the day, duration and space selected. Private-hire packages include staff, security, bar access, sound equipment and DJ equipment, although catering and DJs may involve additional arrangements. The venue does not accept 18th-birthday party bookings.
About Basement 45
Basement 45 is an underground nightclub at 8 Frogmore Street, Bristol, BS1 5NA, close to College Green and Park Street. It is laid out over one level in former cellar spaces associated with the historic Unity Street buildings. The venue describes itself as a home for UK bass music and says the space has supported underground music for more than half a century.
The current venue opened on Friday 27 February 2009 under the Basement 45 name. Before that, the premises were known as the Mandrake. Contemporary accounts describe the Mandrake as one of Bristol’s oldest nightclubs, whilst local historical writing places the building’s musical use as far back as 1961. The safest description is that Basement 45 is a 2009 reworking of a much older nightclub space, rather than a newly built venue.
The venue’s published capacity is approximately 300. Its standard description refers to three bars and three dance floors, although individual hire packages use smaller capacities: Room 1 is listed at 180, Room 2 at 100, The Den at 60 and Bijou at 30. The full-club hire page separately gives a 280-person capacity, so event-specific capacity may depend on the rooms in use, layout, staffing and licensing conditions.
No authoritative public document located for this guide gives the precise length, width or ceiling height of each room. The venue is instead characterised by low ceilings, arched passageways, tunnel-like rooms and a compact relationship between the DJ booth, dance floor, bars and seating areas.
Seating and Layout
Most Basement 45 club nights are general-admission, standing events rather than seated concerts. The main room is described as an arched tunnel with the DJ booth and sound system at one end and a bar at the other. A second room sits nearby, separated by a seating or chill-out area. The small-scale layout keeps the audience close to the DJs and makes the room feel busier and more intense when full.
There are no published numbered seats, tiers or permanent VIP sightlines. For the strongest bass impact, the main room is the obvious choice, whilst the seating area and secondary rooms are more suitable for taking a break or moving between styles. Sightlines vary with the promoter’s equipment, crowd density and whether an additional sound system is installed.
The Den is a private room for approximately 40–60 people with its own DJ booth, sound system, dance floor, seating area and bar. Bijou is a smaller room intended for roughly 10–30 people, with comfortable seating, a sound system, DJ equipment and bar access. These rooms are designed for private parties rather than conventional theatre-style seating.
Comedy is an exception to the usual standing format. A review of Bristol Comedy Cave described chairs arranged close to performers in a thrust-like, communal layout, with the room adapting around the audience rather than using a formal stage. Seating for comedy therefore depends on the particular organiser and may be limited.
Getting There and Parking
The venue is at 8 Frogmore Street, near the lower end of Park Street and close to College Green. The nearest bus stop is College Green, described by the venue as approximately a one-minute walk away. Routes listed for the stop and venue area include services 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 72, 77, U2 and Y6, although routes and late-night timetables can change.
From Bristol Temple Meads, services 8 and 72 provide a practical bus connection towards the city centre. The station is also roughly a mile from the venue, making the walk around 20–25 minutes depending on route and pace. A taxi or private hire vehicle is more convenient after a late event, particularly when the last bus does not match the event’s finish time. ticketfairy.com
The venue identifies Frog Lane, College Street and Trenchard Street car parks as being within approximately five minutes’ walk. Trenchard Street is the largest and most clearly documented option: it is open 24 hours, has 936 spaces, a 2.057-metre height restriction and evening parking at £4.50 from 6pm to midnight or £6 for the overnight period from 6pm to 9am. Blue Badge bays are available, but normal charges still apply.
Central Bristol on-street parking charges changed on 10 August 2026, with parking generally free between 10pm and 8am in the relevant central zones. Restrictions, residents’ bays and event-day conditions still apply, so do not assume that a nearby space is legal simply because the meter is not operating. Private-hire vehicles should use a lawful stopping point on Frogmore Street or around College Green rather than blocking the venue entrance.
Inside the Venue
Expect a compact, dark, bass-focused nightclub rather than a polished auditorium. The underground rooms, low ceilings, tunnel-like passages and multiple bars create an intimate atmosphere, but they can also become warm and crowded during popular events. The main programme is music-led, with lighting and décor varying according to the promoter and event.
The venue provides cloakroom facilities at every event. The published charge is £2.50 per hanger, and multiple items may be placed on one hanger. Customers are advised to retain the cloakroom ticket; lost items are not returned until after the event, and belongings remain at the owner’s risk. Lost property is retained for two weeks before it may be donated.
Basement 45’s current equipment list includes CDJ-3000, CDJ-2000NXS2, CDJ-2000NXS and CDJ-900NXS players, plus DJM-A9, DJM-V10, DJM-900NXS2, DJM-900NXS and DJM-2000NXS mixers. Room 1 is shown with four CDJ-3000 players and a DJM-A9; Room 2 with three CDJ-3000 players and a DJM-V10.
The venue’s published hire information identifies L-Acoustics in Room 1 and Turbosound in Room 2. However, a January 2025 event announced the debut of a replacement main-room sound system, describing it as an upgrade from the previous Funktion-One rig without naming the new manufacturer. Visitors should therefore treat the current exact PA specification as event-dependent rather than relying on older listings.
Nearby Amenities
Basement 45 sits in one of Bristol’s densest nightlife areas. The Hatchet Inn and Queenshilling are immediately nearby, whilst Park Street, College Green and the harbour area provide a wide choice of pubs, bars, cafés and restaurants. The area includes casual dining, pizza, Asian food, Indian food and late-evening takeaway options, although restaurant kitchens may close well before a 3am club finish.
Nearby accommodation includes the Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel, Radisson Blu Hotel Bristol, Hotel du Vin Bristol and other city-centre hotels and serviced apartments. Staying locally is useful after events finishing at 3am or 4am, when trains are not running and bus frequencies may be reduced.
For a meal before a late club night, arrive early enough to eat before doors or choose food close to College Green and Park Street. For the journey home, check the final bus or arrange a taxi before leaving the venue; late-night services are route-specific and should not be assumed from daytime timetables.
What Makes This Venue Special
Basement 45’s defining feature is its combination of central location and underground scale. It is close to major Bristol attractions and nightlife, yet the performance spaces are tucked into former cellar chambers. The result is a venue that feels more like a network of connected rooms than a conventional club, with the audience physically close to the DJ booth and sound system.
Its cultural importance comes less from a single architectural style than from continuity. The space has retained a nightclub function through different names and ownership eras, moving from the Mandrake to Basement 45 in 2009. That continuity has allowed local promoters to test new nights, build audiences and share bills with nationally recognised artists.
The venue also supports activity beyond ticketed club nights. It offers DJ lessons and practice sessions, dance and creative classes, cocktail and drinks-tasting events, private hire and smaller-room celebrations. Its stated partnership with Bristol Zero Tolerance and its event-specific anti-harassment policies are part of the venue’s current approach to safer nightlife.
Basement 45’s own economic impact is not separately published, so it would be misleading to assign citywide figures directly to the club. Bristol’s wider live-music economy generated £123 million in revenue and £45 million in gross value added in the 2015 census year, demonstrating the broader importance of venues that employ staff, attract visitors and provide platforms for performers and promoters.
Visitor Tips and Information
Basement 45 is strictly 18+. The venue requires original, valid photo identification and specifically lists a passport or driving licence as accepted forms. Photographs and photocopies are not accepted. Some events also require student identification, so read the individual event conditions before travelling.
There is no formal dress code, but the venue asks customers not to wear football shirts, flip-flops or open-toed sandals. Choose practical footwear: the club is designed for dancing, standing and moving between compact rooms. Bring as little as possible, use the cloakroom for coats and keep your ticket and identification secure.
Ramps can be installed in advance to make each room wheelchair accessible, but the venue states that it does not have an accessible toilet. A Bristol Pride access note records ramp access through a fire exit and no accessible toilet. Contact the venue before buying a ticket if you need step-free entry, a personal assistant arrangement or a specific room position.
Arrive early for popular freshers’, Pride, charity and guest-DJ events. Check the event’s door time and last-entry rule, as these vary and may be as early as midnight even when the club remains open until 3am. The venue operates a zero-tolerance policy towards bullying, harassment, prejudice and unpleasant behaviour; speak to staff if you feel unsafe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of venue is Basement 45?
Basement 45 is an underground nightclub and grassroots events venue in central Bristol. It mainly hosts DJ-led club nights, particularly drum and bass, jungle, dubstep, garage, house, techno, trance and hard dance. It also presents comedy, student events, queer nightlife, charity parties, classes and private celebrations in its smaller rooms.
Where is Basement 45 in Bristol?
Basement 45 is at 8 Frogmore Street, Bristol, BS1 5NA. It is near College Green, Park Street and the lower end of the city centre. The entrance is in a busy nightlife area close to The Hatchet Inn and Queenshilling, but the performance spaces themselves are below street level in former cellar chambers.
How much do Basement 45 tickets cost?
Prices vary by promoter, genre and release stage. Verified examples range from around £3 for early club-night tickets to approximately £10–£12 for standard or specialist events. Advance prices can rise as the event approaches, and door prices are often higher. Comedy, charity and special daytime events may use different pricing structures.
Can I buy tickets at the door?
Some events advertise door sales, but not all do. Popular freshers’, guest-DJ, Pride and charity nights may sell out or impose a last-entry deadline. The safest approach is to buy an advance ticket when the event listing recommends it, then arrive before the stated last-entry time. Do not assume that a valid ticket guarantees entry after the deadline.
Is Basement 45 an 18-plus venue?
Yes. Basement 45 operates a strict over-18 policy. Original photo identification is required, with a passport or driving licence listed as accepted forms. Photographs and photocopies are not accepted. Certain student events may also request student identification, so check the individual event’s conditions before setting out.
What identification does Basement 45 accept?
The venue lists a valid passport or driving licence as accepted identification. It does not accept photographs or photocopies, and the documents must be original and physical. If you have another form of identification, do not assume it will be accepted at the door; the venue advises customers to make arrangements in advance where necessary.
Does Basement 45 have seats?
Most club nights are standing, general-admission events. The venue has seating or chill-out areas between rooms, and The Den and Bijou include seating for private groups. Comedy events may add chairs in a close, informal arrangement, but there is no published permanent theatre seating plan. Seating availability can therefore change according to the promoter and event format.
What is the capacity of Basement 45?
The venue describes its overall capacity as around 300, while the full-club hire page lists 280. Smaller published capacities include 180 for Room 1, 100 for Room 2, 60 for The Den and 30 for Bijou. The usable capacity for a particular event may change with the room combination, furniture, equipment and licensing arrangements.
Is Basement 45 wheelchair accessible?
The venue says ramps can be installed in advance to make every room wheelchair accessible. An event accessibility note also records ramp access through a fire exit. Because the permanent layout and access route may depend on the event, wheelchair users should arrange access before travelling and confirm the entrance, room and assistance process in advance.
Does Basement 45 have an accessible toilet?
No. The venue explicitly states that it does not have an accessible toilet, and the event accessibility information for a Bristol Pride afterparty repeats that limitation. This is an important consideration when planning a visit. Wheelchair users and guests with access requirements should confirm the available facilities for the specific event before purchasing.
Does Basement 45 have a cloakroom?
Yes. Cloakroom facilities are available for every event. The published price is £2.50 per hanger, and multiple items can be placed on one hanger. Keep the cloakroom ticket safe; the venue says lost tickets are not resolved until after the event. Items are left at the owner’s risk, and unclaimed property is kept for two weeks.
What is the dress code?
There is no formal dress code, and the venue encourages customers to wear whatever they are comfortable dancing in. It specifically asks guests not to wear football shirts, flip-flops or open-toed sandals. Comfortable closed footwear is sensible because most events involve standing and dancing in compact rooms for several hours.
What music is usually played at Basement 45?
The regular programme is strongly electronic and bass-oriented, with drum and bass, jungle, dubstep, garage, house, techno, trance, acid, hardcore, grime, breakbeat and hard dance all represented. The exact style depends on the promoter. Fridays have historically leaned towards drum and bass, whilst Saturdays are more varied.
How late does Basement 45 stay open?
Many club nights run from 10pm to 3am, with some Friday and Saturday events continuing until 4am. Comedy and special daytime events operate on different schedules. Doors, last entry and closing times are event-specific, so check the listing carefully rather than relying on the venue’s usual late-night pattern.
Where is the nearest bus stop?
College Green is the nearest bus stop and is described by the venue as approximately a one-minute walk away. Services listed for the stop and surrounding area include routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 72, 77, U2 and Y6. Timetables can change, particularly late at night, so check the return journey before entering the club.
Where can I park for Basement 45?
The venue identifies Frog Lane, College Street and Trenchard Street car parks as being within about five minutes’ walk. Trenchard Street is open 24 hours and charges £4.50 for the evening period or £6 overnight under the published tariff. Central Bristol on-street parking may be free overnight, but residents’ restrictions and other controls still apply.
Can I hire a room at Basement 45?
Yes. The venue offers full-club, half-club and smaller private-hire options. Room 2, The Den and Bijou are suitable for more intimate parties, with access to bars, sound systems and DJ equipment. The Den is designed for roughly 40–60 people, whilst Bijou is intended for around 10–30. Eighteenth-birthday parties are excluded.
What equipment is available for DJs?
The published equipment list includes CDJ-3000, CDJ-2000NXS2, CDJ-2000NXS and CDJ-900NXS players, together with several DJM mixers including the DJM-A9 and DJM-V10. Room-specific configurations vary. Equipment is subject to availability, so promoters and private hirers should confirm the exact setup rather than assuming every listed item will be installed in every room.
