The Boat Club
Middle of Three, Trent Side North, West Bridgford, NG2 5FA (map)
0115 9811251
www.nottinghamboatclub.com
As the name suggests, this is indeed a fully-functioning rowing club, located near Trent Bridge and Nottingham Forest Football Club. Sitting quietly by the banks of the River Trent and overwhelmed by the dwarfing City Ground in its shadow, The Boat Club remains unknown to many. This legendary venue consists of a 250 capacity main room, which reminds you somewhat of a village hall, and a comfortable bar/lounge. Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Elton John (even Rod Stewart), to name a few, have all at one stage graced these humble floorboards.
Drinks aren’t cheap, but gigs here certainly are, and the crowd you get at the Boat Club is probably the friendliest in the city. Generally hosting underground and local bands, you’re pretty much guaranteed to see a great show here, and bigger names to play in recent years include Eighties Matchbox, Lightning Bolt, Comets on Fire and Ian MacKaye’s latest combo, The Evens. Trust me, it’s well worth the trek out to Bridgford, especially seeing as gigs here are becoming more and more scarce!