O2 Academy Bristol

O2 Academy Bristol, on Frogmore Street near the bottom of Park Street, is probably the city's largest dedicated live music venue. It opened in 2001 and holds about 1,600 people, with a main floor and a balcony that gives a good view of the stage from further back.

Headfirst sums it up as the place for big tours that are too rowdy for Bristol Beacon. The programme spans metal, hip hop, rock, pop, drum and bass, R&B and soul, with plenty of small and mid-sized acts as well as bigger names. Late-night club events also run here, from student parties to big-room DJ shows.

It is right in the centre, close to public transport and plenty of pubs and bars, and next door to Basement 45.

There is a strict bag policy: no large bags or rucksacks, and no cloakroom for luggage. One small bag per person is allowed, no bigger than A4 size.

On Halloween night it hosts Dick & Dom In Da Haunted Bungalow, and its New Year's Eve party is ABBA Disco Wonderland.