Venues in Ipswich – Brighten the Corners

After a number of years of a declining availability and quality of live music venues in Ipswich, the team running the Brighten the Corners venues in Ipswich have created a resurgence in quality live music venues, which is giving local, national and international performers the opportunity to perform to audiences around the town.

The Baths

The Baths is the venue that Ipswich has been calling for. Located a stones throw from Ipswich Town F.C and the town centre, St Matthews Baths Halls were used for live music in the late 1960s and early 70s with boards being laid over the pool to make way for audiences.

The venue hosted legendary acts including Led Zeppelin, Cream and The Move before being modernised in the 1980s and repurposed as a social club and then a gym.

The Baths

4 Civic Drive Ipswich IP1 2AX

The Baths is the 340 cap black-box, low-ceiling music venue in the heart of Ipswich. It is run by the team at Brighten The Corners and brings touring bands to Ipswich.

Events with The Baths

• Andrew Cushin
  Fri 24th Jul 2026
• Luv Tronik / SUITDANCER / Issy B / Tallulah Goodtimes
  Sat 25th Jul 2026
• AFTERDRIVE
  Sat 19th Sep 2026

The Smokehouse

Opened in 2016, The Smokehouse is an 80-capacity micro-venue in the heart of the most diverse ward in Ipswich and Suffolk. Hosting over 100 gigs per year (put on by external promotors and bands), The Smokehouse offers first rung opportunities to young and aspiring artists, promotors and DJs. The venue is driven by volunteers with a DIY aesthetic enabling artists to reach new audiences and further their potential. In addition to 3rd party hires we program over 25 shows in the venue per year.

The Smokehouse

6 South Street Ipswich IP1 3NU

The Smokehouse offers first rung opportunities to young and aspiring artists, promotors and DJs. The venue is driven by volunteers with a DIY aesthetic enabling artists to reach new audiences and further their potential.

Events with The Smokehouse

• Emulate Social Club
  Mon 29th Jun 2026
• Passive Fix / Lava Pigeon / Perspective Error
  Sat 4th Jul 2026
• The Burial Code / Newgate Noose / This Hurts
  Sat 11th Jul 2026
• Buggery Act / Hello Kitty Fun Land / Baby Bullets
  Fri 17th Jul 2026
• PICANTE: NIKI J / JOHNNY G / EIGHTY HD / DJ SPUD
  Sat 18th Jul 2026
• Cryptid Hive / zievi / Gwildcore
  Sat 25th Jul 2026

St Stephen’s Church

Since 2019, through test events and festivals, we have worked to prove the need for a next-step music venue for Ipswich.

In winter 2022, with a total of £450k investment from Ipswich Borough Council and SIGIF Grant funding, we will be making improvements to the Church in order to reopen as a 225-capacity music and arts venue in spring 2023.

St Stephen’s Church is in the centre of Ipswich and will bridge the gap between sister venues, The Smokehouse and The Baths. The Church enables the next level of touring bands to visit and further secures Ipswich on the national touring circuit. The venue will also have a daytime and twilight offer with a café/bar and space available to hire.

The Church

Saint Stephens Lane Ipswich IP1 1DP

Since 2019, through test events and festivals, we have worked to prove the need for a next-step music venue for Ipswich.

Events with The Church

• Mate, it’s just a Pub Quiz
  Wed 1st Jul 2026
• Vinyl Communion: HAM + bAD SHERPA
  Thu 2nd Jul 2026
• St Stephen’s Church Friday Cafe
  Fri 3rd Jul 2026
• Vinyl Communion: Waxtronik (Transient Radio)
  Thu 9th Jul 2026
• BTCP: The Devout
  Sat 11th Jul 2026
• Pearl Jam – Ten – Fundraiser for St. Elizabeth Hospice
  Sat 19th Jun 2027

Who wrote this about Ipswich?

James Kindred

James lives in Ipswich and has been a graphic designer and brand founder for the last 25 years. He specialises in branding, startups, guerilla marketing and effectively frustrating authority figures to deliver results. James is co-founder of Ipswich.love, co-chair of the Suffolk Autism Strategy board and a board advisor to R;ipple, a suicide prevention charity.