The Wedgewood Rooms are situated between Fratton and Southsea Seafront in Albert Road. Parking can be a bit of a nightmare. It's usually a case of having to drive around the backstreets until you can find a space (the tricky part is finding your motor afterwards!).

Once parked up the venue is fairly easy to find. There are a couple of pubs around for a pre- show drink as well as the Wedgewood Rooms own cafe bar called 'The Edge of The Wedge'.

The Wedgewood Rooms hold 400 standing or 300 for a seated gig, which makes it a decent size without losing that intimate feeling, and makes for a great atmosphere whoever you've come to see. It was refurbished 3 years ago which, unusually for a gig hall, actually improved it (excellent toilets!).

Touring bands are booked by PVC and Tribute bands/ Local Bands/Comedy Nights/Club Nights are sorted in house. Every Tuesday night 'The Edge' plays host to acoustic/open mic sort of nights. New band nights are held about twice a month under various names. Comedy nights are held twice a month and there is usually one touring comedian per month. Club nights are also held reguarly.

As, dear reader, you are looking at this page from a music website, I suppose I had better mention what sort of live bands you can see. From my experience it tends to be NME style music (sometimes quite established bands play there as warm up gigs for Glastonbury/Reading/etc. - so often worth looking out for around Festival season - be warned these tickets sell out very quickly!). I have seen bands such as Asian Dub Foundation, Bentley Rhythm Ace, Lo Fidelity All Stars, My Life Story (thus proving that the stage is a pretty decent size), Mile Hunt (acoustic), Jesus and Mary Chain and Dead Men Walking to name but a few. I can honestly say that I can't remember ever having seen a bad one here. Due to the nature of the place, it is often an ideal place to meet and greet the bands and get things signed. Sadly, due to the stupid licensing laws in this country you can feel that you are turfed out of the venue a bit too readily - hopefully this will change when the laws are changed (hopefully soon - but I'm not holding my breath!).

Outside the venue you will be easily able to spot a couple of Kebab houses for that important after gig/booze fodder. Then to your charriot - if only you could remember where it is.

Ric Mansell


Visit The Wedgewood Rooms Website Here and find out who's playing and when and check out their live music, comedy and club nights.There's always loads going on.