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What's On · UK

What's On in Portsmouth

Q: What live music is on in Portsmouth over the next four weeks?

We currently list 3 gigs in Portsmouth between 14 Aug and 11 Sept, across 3 venues. The listings above are the full set, sorted by date and refreshed daily from the venues themselves — no algorithm decides what you see. For everything beyond this window, browse the Portsmouth gig directory or every city we cover.

Q: Which Portsmouth venues have the most on?

Right now: Kola, Wedgewood Rooms, The Deco. In total we track 25 grassroots venues in Portsmouth, of which 3 have something listed in this window. Capacity, backline and opening times for each are on the Portsmouth venue directory.

Q: Where can I find open mic nights in Portsmouth?

Portsmouth has 16 regular open mic nights that we verify on a rolling cycle. Each listing carries the sign-up time, slot length, entry fee and whether a PA and backline are provided — see the Portsmouth open mic finder, or the UK-wide finder.

Live music in Portsmouth over the next four weeks — 14 Aug – 11 Sept. 3 gigs listed in Portsmouth over the next 28 days across 3 venues. In total we track 25 grassroots venues and 16 regular open mics here.

Two pubs a day are closing, and last year 78 grassroots venues stopped putting on live music. Get Portsmouth gigs in your inbox — and go to one.

Help keep grassroots venues open in Portsmouth

—

A UK venue stops hosting live music every 5 days — and turning up is what keeps a room open. Get a free weekly email of gigs in Portsmouth. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy.

Every grassroots gig we hold for Portsmouth between 14 Aug and 11 Sept.

Saturday: 1 gig
Tuesday: 1 gig
Most listed genres: Rock (1), Punk Rock (1), Garage (1), Blues (1)
Imported daily from Ticketmaster, Skiddle and direct submissions

See the listings All upcoming gigs

3 different Portsmouth venues have something on in the next 28 days.

Kola — 1 gig
Wedgewood Rooms — 1 gig
The Deco — 1 gig
22 more tracked venues with nothing listed yet
Capacity, backline and opening times on every card

See the listings Portsmouth venues

16 regular open mic nights running in Portsmouth. Turn up, put your name down, play.

Weekly and fortnightly nights across the city
Most are free to attend and free to play
Re-verified on a rolling cycle

See the listings Portsmouth open mics

Everything the Portsmouth scene has beyond tonight's listings.

City guide: Portsmouth venues, promoters and bookers
Local rate benchmarks before you book or quote
Members near you on GigXchange

See the listings Browse every city

What’s on near you, wherever you are — the same page for every city we track.

Gigs, venues and open mics per city
One email a week with live music near you
Free to browse — no account needed

See the listings Browse every city

Updated daily · 3 gigs in Portsmouth over the next four weeks

Last updated: 14 August 2026

Support grassroots music in Portsmouth

Grassroots venues are where every act you have ever paid to see started out. Portsmouth still has 25 of them.

Two pubs a day closed across the UK in the first quarter of 2026, and over the year to July 2025 78 grassroots music venues stopped putting on live music — 30 of them shut for good. Those are the rooms where new acts learn to hold an audience, where a first support slot happens, and where a Tuesday night can still turn into something.

This page exists to make them easy to find. It lists 3 gigs across Portsmouth over the next four weeks, pulled from the venues themselves and updated daily — alongside the 25 grassroots venues and 16 regular open mic nights we track in the city. No algorithm decides what you see: it is simply everything we know is on.

The single most useful thing anyone can do is turn up. Buy a ticket, buy a drink at the bar, and go to a night you have not been to before. If you would rather be told than remember, the sign-up above sends Portsmouth listings straight to your inbox. If you run a venue here, claim your page so people can find you.

Gigs in Portsmouth

Every grassroots gig we hold for Portsmouth in the next four weeks — 14 Aug – 11 Sept. Updated daily.

Showing 3 of 3 gigs

AUG

Live Punk Rock Karaoke With Support From The Breaking Hands

Kola·Eastney and Craneswater, Portsmouth

Saturday, 22 August 2026 · 20:00–00:00

Entry—
Tickets—
AgeAll ages
GenreRock, Punk Rock, Garage

View details›

SEPT

This Is the Kit

Wedgewood Rooms·Central Southsea, Portsmouth

Tuesday, 1 September 2026 · 19:30

Entry—
TicketsAvailable
AgeAll ages
GenreBlues

View details›

SEPT

neu waves 5th B'day- Enjoyable Listens / TPOP / Mr Speed

The Deco·St Jude, Portsmouth

Thursday, 10 September 2026 · 20:00–23:00

Entry—
Tickets—
AgeAll ages
GenrePop

View details›

See every upcoming gig in Portsmouth →

Venues in Portsmouth

Where live music actually happens in Portsmouth.

Historic Southsea corner pub with a Thursday open mic and live bands.

Backline1 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

Mon12:00–23:00
Tue12:00–23:00
Wed12:00–23:00
Thu12:00–23:00
Fri12:00–00:00
Sat12:00–00:00
Sun12:00–22:30

Fareham's 800-seat arts and entertainment venue, run by Trafalgar Theatres

Backline0 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

Mon10:00–16:00
Tue10:00–16:00
Wed10:00–16:00
Thu10:00–16:00
Fri10:00–16:00
Sat10:00–16:00
SunClosed

Thai grill and bar with rock and pop events.

Backline0 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

Mon09:00–18:00
Tue09:00–18:00
Wed09:00–18:00
Thu09:00–18:00
Fri09:00–18:00
Sat09:00–16:00
SunClosed

Southsea community pub with live music.

Backline0 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

Mon12:00–00:00
Tue12:00–00:00
Wed12:00–00:00
Thu12:00–01:00
Fri12:00–02:00
Sat10:00–02:00
Sun12:00–00:00

Portsmouth indoor skatepark and warehouse events space for gigs and club nights

Backline0 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

MonClosed
Tue16:00–22:00
Wed16:00–22:00
Thu13:00–22:00
Fri13:00–22:00
Sat10:00–19:00
Sun08:00–18:00

Portsmouth's 2,200-capacity Guildhall — the South of England's primary live-music and events centre.

Backline1 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

Mon09:00–17:00
Tue09:00–17:00
Wed09:00–17:00
Thu09:00–17:00
Fri09:00–17:00
SatClosed
SunClosed

Portsmouth Rail Social Club

Portsmouth › Fratton★★★★★ (—)

Railway social club with live entertainment.

Backline0 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

Mon12:00–16:00
TueClosed
Wed19:00–23:20
ThuClosed
Fri12:00–23:00
Sat12:00–22:00
Sun12:00–23:00

View venue›

Photo: Google

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Rapscallions Port Solent

Portsmouth › Port Solent★★★★★ (—)

Port Solent bar with live entertainment.

Backline1 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

Mon12:00–23:00
Tue12:00–23:00
Wed12:00–23:00
Thu12:00–23:00
Fri12:00–01:00
Sat12:00–01:00
Sun12:00–23:00

View venue›

Photo: Google

Claim this venue

Rapscallions Southsea

Portsmouth › Southsea★★★★★ (—)

Southsea bar with live music.

Backline1 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

Mon16:00–01:00
Tue16:00–01:00
Wed16:00–01:00
Thu16:00–01:00
Fri16:00–02:00
Sat12:00–02:00
Sun12:00–00:00

View venue›

Photo: Google

Claim this venue

Robin Hill Country Park

Newport › Newport, Isle of Wight★★★★★ (—)

Isle of Wight country park with DJ events.

Backline0 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

Mon10:00–17:00
Tue10:00–17:00
Wed10:00–17:00
Thu10:00–17:00
Fri10:00–17:00
Sat10:00–17:00
Sun10:00–17:00

Southsea pier venue with live events.

Backline0 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

Mon11:30–20:00
Tue11:30–20:00
Wed11:30–20:00
Thu11:30–20:00
Fri11:30–21:00
Sat11:30–21:00
Sun11:30–21:00

View venue›

Photo: Google

Claim this venue

Staggeringly Good Brewery

Southsea★★★★★ (—)

Southsea's dino-themed craft brewery and taproom with live music, DJ sets and festivals.

Backline1 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

MonClosed
TueClosed
WedClosed
Thu17:00–23:00
Fri15:00–23:00
Sat12:00–23:00
Sun12:00–20:00

Award-winning 300-capacity venue at the heart of the Isle of Wight

Backline0 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

MonClosed
Tue19:00–22:00
Wed19:30–22:30
Thu19:30–23:00
Fri19:30–00:00
Sat19:30–00:00
SunClosed

Portsmouth › North End★★★★★ (—)

Portsmouth community pub with events.

Backline1 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

Mon10:00–12:30
Tue10:00–23:00
Wed10:00–23:00
Thu10:00–23:00
Fri10:00–00:00
Sat10:00–00:00
Sun11:30–23:00

Portsmouth › North End★★★★★ (—)

Southsea's sunday-night free open mic at The Admiral Drake — PA + vocal mic, walk-in sign-up from 7pm, 15-minute slots, all ages.

Backline2 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

Mon15:00–23:00
Tue12:00–23:00
Wed12:00–23:00
Thu12:00–23:00
Fri12:00–01:00
Sat12:00–01:00
Sun12:00–22:30

Southsea's sunday-night free open mic at The Barley Mow — PA + vocal mic, walk-in sign-up from 7pm, 15-minute slots, all ages.

Backline2 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

Mon12:00–23:00
Tue12:00–23:00
Wed12:00–23:00
Thu12:00–23:00
Fri12:00–23:00
Sat12:00–23:00
Sun12:00–23:00

Art deco bar and restaurant.

Backline0 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

Mon17:00–01:00
Tue17:00–01:00
Wed17:00–01:00
Thu17:00–01:00
Fri17:00–03:00
Sat17:00–03:00
Sun17:00–01:00

View venue›

Photo: Google

Claim this venue

The Fifth Hants Volunteer Arms

Southsea★★★★★ (—)

Portsmouth pub with live music.

Backline1 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

Mon12:00–01:00
Tue12:00–01:00
Wed12:00–01:00
Thu12:00–01:00
Fri12:00–02:00
Sat12:00–02:00
Sun12:00–02:00

600-cap rock, indie and punk venue on the pier.

Backline1 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

Mon12:00–20:00
Tue12:00–17:00
Wed12:00–17:00
Thu12:00–17:00
Fri12:00–00:00
Sat12:00–00:00
Sun12:00–19:00

Southsea › Southsea, Portsmouth★★★★★ (—)

Portsmouth pub with live music.

Backline1 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

Mon12:00–23:00
Tue12:00–23:00
Wed12:00–23:00
Thu12:00–23:00
Fri12:00–23:00
Sat12:00–23:00
Sun12:00–23:00

The Jolly Sailor Southsea

Southsea★★★★★ (—)

Southsea family pub with live music.

Backline1 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

MonClosed
TueClosed
Wed17:00–23:00
Thu17:00–23:00
Fri12:00–00:00
Sat12:00–00:00
Sun12:00–22:30

Portsmouth › North End★★★★★ (—)

Portsmouth community pub with live events.

Backline1 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

Mon14:00–23:00
Tue14:00–23:00
Wed14:00–23:00
Thu14:00–00:00
Fri12:00–00:00
Sat12:00–00:00
Sun12:00–22:30

Isle of Wight inn with stunning views and music.

Backline0 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

Mon10:00–22:30
Tue10:00–22:30
Wed10:00–22:30
Thu10:00–22:30
Fri10:00–22:30
Sat10:00–22:30
Sun09:00–22:30

Gosport › Elson, Gosport★★★★★ (—)

Portsmouth pub with live entertainment.

Backline0 of 7

PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer

Opening times7 of 7

Mon14:30–23:00
Tue14:30–23:00
Wed14:30–23:00
Thu14:30–23:00
Fri13:00–00:00
Sat12:00–00:00
Sun12:00–22:00

View venue›

All 25 Portsmouth venues →

Open mics in Portsmouth

Turn up, put your name down, play. Most are free.

1ST

Sun

The Three Tuns

Portsmouth, Portsmouth

Starts 16:00

Sign-up—
Slots—
EntryFree
PA—
Backline—
Open tomusic

Starts 18:45

Sign-up19:00
Slots15 min
EntryFree
PAProvided
Backline—
Open tomusic, poetry

View details›

Alleycats — 2nd & last Sun

2-WK

Sun

The Admiral Drake

North End, Portsmouth

Starts 18:45

Sign-up19:00
Slots15 min
EntryFree
PAProvided
Backline—
Open tomusic, poetry

North End, Portsmouth

Starts 20:00

Sign-up19:30
Slots12 min
EntryFree
PAProvided
Backline—
Open tomusic

Starts 20:00

Sign-up19:30
Slots12 min
EntryFree
PAProvided
Backline—
Open tomusic, poetry, comedy

Southsea, Portsmouth, Southsea

Starts 19:00

Sign-up19:30
Slots12 min
Entry£4.00
PAProvided
Backline—
Open tomusic

View details›

EVERY

Wed

The Fifth Hants Volunteer Arms

Southsea, Portsmouth, Southsea

Starts 20:00

Sign-up19:30
Slots12 min
EntryFree
PAProvided
Backline—
Open tomusic

Starts 20:00

Sign-up—
Slots—
EntryFree
PA—
Backline—
Open tomusic

Southsea, Portsmouth, Southsea

Starts 20:00

Sign-up19:30
Slots12 min
EntryFree
PAProvided
Backline—
Open tomusic

View details›

EVERY

Wed

The Jolly Sailor Southsea

Southsea, Southsea

Starts 20:00

Sign-up19:30
Slots12 min
EntryFree
PAProvided
Backline—
Open tomusic

Portsmouth, Portsmouth

Starts 20:00

Sign-up19:30
Slots12 min
EntryFree
PAProvided
Backline—
Open tomusic

Starts 19:00

Sign-up—
Slots—
EntryFree
PAProvided
Backline—
Open tomusic

View details›

All 16 Portsmouth open mics →

What's on in Portsmouth — FAQs

Common questions about live music in Portsmouth, answered with this week's live data.

What live music is on in Portsmouth over the next four weeks?

We currently list 3 gigs in Portsmouth between 14 Aug and 11 Sept, across 3 venues. The listings above are the full set, sorted by date and refreshed daily from the venues themselves — no algorithm decides what you see. For everything beyond this window, browse the Portsmouth gig directory or every city we cover.

Are there free gigs in Portsmouth?

None of the Portsmouth gigs currently listed are marked free entry, though many venues do not publish a price at all. Portsmouth open mic nights are your reliable free option — most charge nothing to watch or to play.

What is the busiest night for live music in Portsmouth?

There is no clear busiest night in Portsmouth at the moment — the 3 listed gigs are spread thinly across the 28-day window. Listings update daily.

Which Portsmouth venues have the most on?

Right now: Kola, Wedgewood Rooms, The Deco. In total we track 25 grassroots venues in Portsmouth, of which 3 have something listed in this window. Capacity, backline and opening times for each are on the Portsmouth venue directory.

Where can I find open mic nights in Portsmouth?

Portsmouth has 16 regular open mic nights that we verify on a rolling cycle. Each listing carries the sign-up time, slot length, entry fee and whether a PA and backline are provided — see the Portsmouth open mic finder, or the UK-wide finder.

How much does a gig cost in Portsmouth, and what should an artist be paid?

Most Portsmouth venues in our listings do not publish a ticket price in advance. Grassroots entry is typically a few pounds on the door, and many nights are free. On the other side of the transaction, the Musicians' Union publishes national gig rates as the recognised floor for live engagements, and the ISM publishes guidance for self-employed musicians. Our own UK gig rate benchmarks show what artists are actually being paid by region and act type.

Why do grassroots venues in Portsmouth matter?

Grassroots rooms are where every act you have paid to see learned to hold an audience. Two pubs a day closed across the UK in the first quarter of 2026, and over the year to July 2025 78 grassroots music venues stopped putting on live music — 30 of them for good. Portsmouth still has 25 on our list. Music Venue Trust campaigns for them nationally; venues themselves navigate PRS licensing and local authority licensing to keep putting music on. The single most useful thing anyone can do is turn up and buy a drink at the bar.

How do I get a Portsmouth gig or venue listed on GIGXCHANGE?

Listing is free and takes about two minutes — submit through the Portsmouth gig directory and it is verified within 48 hours. No account is needed and there is no listing fee. If you run a venue here, claim your venue page to keep its capacity, backline and contact details current. Promoters and venues booking acts can also post paid work or find artists directly.

Go to one this month

3 gigs listed in Portsmouth over the next four weeks, across 25 grassroots venues and 16 open mic nights. Buy a ticket, buy a drink at the bar, and go to a night you have not been to before — it is the single most useful thing anyone can do for a room like these.

Help keep grassroots venues open in Portsmouth

—

A UK venue stops hosting live music every 5 days — and turning up is what keeps a room open. Get a free weekly email of gigs in Portsmouth. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy.