About Us

The WaterBear Venue is run by WaterBear, a music college dedicated to supporting and promoting live music, as well as independent grassroots bands and artists in Brighton and across the UK.

The WaterBear Venue

The WaterBear Venue hosts an extensive and varied range of events in its 150-capacity space, including live gigs, club nights, jam nights, open mics, special events, and showcases. We welcome all forms of creativity across every genre and pride ourselves on ensuring our space is safe and welcoming for everyone who attends, hosts, and performs.

“We have been operating and managing the venue since 2021 as part of WaterBear – The College of Music. We are committed to supporting and nurturing the incredible live music scene in Brighton and the UK by providing a safe space where local talent can be showcased. We welcome all genres into The WaterBear Venue and take pride in promoting and supporting our local music scene.”

Jodie, Head of Events, WaterBear

Venue History

Over the years, the former club has been known by many names (Funky Buddha, The Tube, Rikitik). Following the installation of a Funktion One sound system and the addition of sound treatment in the historic arch tunnels, the former club was transformed into a live music venue and opened its doors as The WaterBear Venue in September 2021.

WaterBear - The College of Music

The venue is run by WaterBear, a music college with locations in Brighton, Sheffield and online, to create a space for students, artists, and musicians to learn their craft while supporting grassroots music and the live music industry. Just a short walk from the WaterBear Brighton headquarters on Queens Road, the venue serves as a meeting place for students, hosts student-led events, live performance workshops, rehearsal space, masterclasses, and special events such as Freshers’ Week.

World Class Events

The WaterBear Venue is an official venue for The Great Escape Festival, which showcases and supports new music and emerging artists from around the world. We also collaborate with the Brighton Fringe, operating as a bookable space for hundreds of creatives to perform their unique shows.

The Brighton Music Scene

Brighton is a hotbed of musical talent that attracts both emerging artists and established acts to its shores. The WaterBear Venue is proud to support and be part of the local Brighton music scene, having welcomed hundreds of incredible bands and artists.