This is a great live music venue. If you're a fan of small, intimate gigs, then this place is it. No chairs, no snobbery- this is a place to get rocking. There is a back bar away from the stage in another area, where you can chat with mates and get a drink before entering the main hall bit, where there are two other bars! One at the back of the main hall, which is obvious upon entering; and the other quite well hidden under the stairs. There is one upper level that provides some standing space to see better the live acts. Most recently, i watched La Roux play here, which was awesome. The vibes here are great, and you really get quite a close up of the artist you're here to see, even if you're stuck at the back or upstairs, which is what I want when I go for a gig. Way better compared to those huge venues where you're so far away from the stage that you might as well be watching the gig on TV. Every Friday from 10pm-3pm, there is an indie night, which is usually overpopulated by the student crowd, but is a good alternative for a night out's music compared to the typical pop spinners. Great for a jive and some headbanging here and there. A really good live venue- catch a gig here if you haven't yet already! read more

O2 Academy - Bars Near Me - Bristol, BST

Time for me to get nostalgic again. The Academy, with its sticky walls and ever BO tinged air, will always of going to my first few gigs (I think my very first was Hundred Reasons, for those that have heard of them). Not to much has changed since then. You'll still get a good natured crowd queuing up an hour or so before the doors open for a gig - keep this in mind if want to get a place on the bar at the front. There will still be a scrum at the bar with prices that have climbed enough over the years to remain horrendously overpriced. Ramshackle, a long-standing night on Fridays, is the appropriate way to experience the Academy. Here very excited goths and emos will drink too much vodka and jump around to whatever the latest indy hit is. You'll know you've had a good night if you've got some of that vodka spilt down your front and your ears are ringing to All American Rejects, or whatever it is that the kids are listening to these days (I secretly want to be an old man...). read more

O2 Academy - Taken from their website - Bars Near Me - Bristol, BST

Sticky floors, aggressive bouncers and gym hall proportions make the O2 academy something of a no go area in my opinion. Although it regularly attracts some of the bigger names to play in the city and I'm often tempted, I only have to remember the experience and realise it's not worth touching with a bargepole. Reports of bouncers peering over the toilets to check if people are taking drugs, sometimes quite an aggressive crowd and the whole general seedy ambiance are less than appealing. There are far more intimate or atmospheric places to catch a band than this horrible, dingy hall with bad acoustics and expensive drinks. read more

Okay, overall I think this is a pretty good live music venue, and the only major downside I can think of is the ridiculous drink prices - which is annoying after you've spent money on the tickets! The o2 is the kind of place where signed bands will play, those who have a fairly large fan base. I went here a couple of months ago to see Imogen Heap, and had a brilliant night! The venue itself has a good sized stage at the front, and three levels of standing balconies surrounding it - making it a good audience base with quite a large capacity. When I went, the sounds were pretty good too - and the atmosphere was buzzing. I do reckon though that it definitely depends on who you go to see, because the whole place will have a different ambience depending on this! There are two main bars - one in the back area away from the stage, and another within main arena - drink prices are ridiculous though, and I'd probably say wait till after the gig to go to another bar for drinks! read more

Having spent most of my life living in London I associated the 02 Academy name (formerly the Carling Academy) with huge stadium-like spaces like Brixton or Islington. So when I planned to make a visit to see Noah and the Whale at the 02 Academy Bristol I arrived extra early to allow for budging-to-the-front time. But - no need! This intimate venue sent my memory straight back to my youth, being so close to the band you can touch them, with music so loud your ears ache at the end. Even though, for no reason at all, I've been put off by the 02 brand slowly attempting global domination it does allow them to bring in the big names to Bristol: Dizzee Rascal, Fun Lovin' Criminals and La Roux to name a few. Sadly the small nature of the place leads in inevitable pushing, shoving and body touching so be prepared. I once spent a rather unpleasant night in a hub of big tall sweaty men at a Black Keys gig, all them wearing leather jackets. All of them men you'd rather not be that close to. read more

O2 Academy - Bars Near Me - Bristol, BST

What can you say about the Academy? It's housed in a converted cinema (I have happy memories of seeing Wayne's World 2 there many year ago), and it really shows. Basically it's just way too big with an incredibly high ceiling which means it generates absolutely zero atmosphere during club nights (seriously - don't bother). All drinks are served in plastic cups and are ridiculously overpriced, and unless you want to arrive an hour before a gig starts, don't expect to be afforded the luxury of actually being able to see what you've paid for. And yet it still keeps packing 'em in due to their conveyor belt of big name artists. If there's something on that you really want to see then I can excuse you for going along, but a city of Bristol's cultural standing really does deserve better. read more

The O2 Academy is not to be confused with the sprawling giant Academies in other cities like Leeds or Manchester. Bristol's O2 provides a comparatively intimate atmosphere that is suited to both club nights like the sport oriented 'Score', and live music. A quick glance down the upcoming gig listings elucidates the awesome booking power of the brand with BRMC joining the likes of La Roux and Plan B. So why three stars I hear you cry? In my view the place lacks a bit of that soul that makes a music venue like the Brixton Academy or (RIP) the old Astoria. Please O2, you sell enough iphones that you could charge less than £4.50 for a pint of Fosters. read more

Awful music venue. Used to get pulled in by the quality of bands playing there ( some great names!) But after each time of attending a gig at the O2, not seeing anything, sometimes frightening and crushing amounts of people, sweltering sweaty atmos, overpriced drinks, really dodgy sound quality... I decided to give it a big miss! It should be kept as a cheesy night club and should definitely not be hosting big bands there. If being squeezed in to a tiny space while more and more overheated drunk people squash up against you, and you can't hear the music for people talking or leave your space to buy a drink or go to the loo and can't see anything of the stage or band.... Then this is the place for you! read more

Smaller than its nationwide Academy counterparts, they still seem intent on filling it to bursting for big gigs making it uncomfortable and sometimes downright impossible to see the band. A narrow balcony around the floor allows views without the crush but get there very early to find a spot. The bar staff lack any care about their job, the drinks are horrendously priced - expect nearly a tenner for two drinks in a plastic cup - which sucks even more since you'll probably get half of it spilled down you as you attempt to get through the crush to the stage area. In general it is very badly laid out - the cloakroom is up three flights of narrow stairs so there is a long jolty queue at the end of a night - come without extra clothes if you can. Access to the floor involves doors and steps that get blocked easily. Even the female toilets require a small hike from the cubicle to the basin back through the original queue to get in. Absolutely nuts. Club nights are fun if you have a group of you - essentially its just loud music in a big black room so it's you that's going to make or break the night. Security is tight, especially for club nights. Expect to be searched - they have female security guards for the ladies. Staff are generally surly and bored but I have been surprised. I still come here though, and why? They get big name bands playing here exclusively because of the O2 group connection, including some great US rock. I've seen some of my favourite gigs here because of that and without this venue Bristol would be missed out for Cardiff or Birmingham on the tour circuit. Top tip - you can get priority tickets if you have an O2 mobile but if you're nearby nip in as the ticket box staff are really cheerful and chatty. read more

O2 Academy - photo from www.02academybristol.co.uk - Bars Near Me - Bristol, BST

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Formally the Carling Academy (which was formally The Rock which was formally a cinema) the o2 Academy holds the big guns compared to the other Bristol gig venues, its only real competition being Colston Hall, situated across the road. The Academy has diversified in recent years, adding a smaller gig venue to its upstairs bar and experimenting with adding/removing club nights, the most popular being Ramshackle on a Friday night - a popular choice with the indie kids and students. Since becoming a o2 venue the Academy has enjoyed a fresh coat of paint, new drinks (including Thatchers cider) and a little TLC which it was in dire need of. The result is a fresh look and a club big enough to accommodate sold out gigs as well as more personal, intimate acts. The split levels within the venue mean than its almost impossible not to see the stage, either from the dance floor, the balcony or leaning over the two staircases that run up either side of the building. Wheelchair access is available and the staff are friendly, the only negative is the price of drinks, with pints getting closer and closer to the £4 mark every time I visit. read more

I was so gutted when the council put paid to Bristol's plans for a big music arena. The city is crying out for one and we miss out on a lot of big bands because of its lack. So we must make do with over-rated places like The Academy and the wonderful new Colston Hall with all its limitations. I always sigh ruefully when I find bands I want to watch are playing the Academy as it makes for a far less enjoyable experience. But it's the only place in town that can hold the numbers so what can you do? I have seen some storming performances here- Florence and the Machine, Mos Def, Hot Chip to name a few of the recent ones but I have also seen some gigs which were totally ruined by the nature of the venue.It's just too short and wide to accommodate people and give them any sort of view of the stage. And there is a ridiculous safety grille across the back bar which obscures so many people's sight. The drinks are also ridiculously over-priced and it takes ages to get served. That said the Ramshackle nights have a great reputation. If you like any sort of popular music you'll just have to lump the Academy I'm afraid. read more

O2 Academy - Bars Near Me - Bristol, BST

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If you're a student, with the correct student identification, then there are nights here you'll love. The music is good enough; DJ Dan plays whatever iPod playlist he copied off Zane Lowe's radio one show. But there is a 'rock' room upstairs, that is mostly Emo or surfer bands, although they might slip in the occasional Rage or Blink tune etc. Other than when I was a student and I visited the nights they served unusually named vodka at student prices, I try not to watch gigs here, however much I love the band. It is a shell, an empty building that's sole purpose is to sell over priced cans of beer, have a stage with a decent sound system and enough standing room to charge stupidly high prices for gig tickets and sell an awful lot of them. The view of the stage is mostly terrible, unless you are lucky enough to find space on the stairs (where you are usually in people's way) or on the balconies (where you can't dance or leave your spot). I have seen some great gigs here, but that has nothing to do with the venue, they were just good bands. There is no atmosphere in this club, because as I said it is just a stage, some stairs and an overpriced, overcrowded bar. It is very upsetting that this is Bristol's biggest music venue! It's shocking. But venues like this aren't what Bristol does best, you should always look for smaller, more personal venues in this city and try to catch bands before they are signed or as they are starting out the guys still driving their own van full of equipment to gigs and setting it all up themselves), these nights have soul. You won't find a venue like Brixton in this city. They even have a sign above the bar that says 'No crowd surfing', 'No Stage diving' and 'No throwing drinks'...why don't you just ban dancing and smiling too! read more

I've been to the Academy a few times to see bands I like who rarely perform in Bristol. The sound and lights are decent, but visuals are only good if you: are standing in front, bag a place at a railing, are allowed to stand on the stairs. There isn't much in the way of seating. It's not a bad place to see bands, but I wish it was a bit more like the Brixton Academy or the Forum in London. I've only been there to see live music and not club nights so I can't comment on them. read more

A popular Bristol venue for live acts, the Carling academy has undergone many renovations since i first visited. Hosting some failry standard live acts and DJ's, the venue is marred by its prices and over zealous security staff. The bar is always teeming with underage drinkers and shifty looking patrons. Recently focusing on more standard fare acts, britpop mediocrity and the like, the Academy is a confusing place to visit. The layout of the club is actually rather good but organisation behind the scenes is often heave handed and on occasions brutal. In fact the best thing to note about the Academy is the Hatchet pub located some 20 paces form the venue itself. Make sure you really want to see the act before going to the Academy or just sit in the hatchet and save some cash. read more

This music venue is over around 4 levels. Its not great for short people as pretty much everywhere you go is full and you can't see over anyone from anywhere. The TV screens on the higher levels are normally distorted and not great quality. Most venues should really look to the Brixton Academy for inspiration, with its sloped flooring to allow everyone to see. read more

The Carling Academy is one of Bristols biggest music venues, it plays host to all manner of bands and there's pretty much always something happening there. If theres no live music there's always some kind of club night happening, anything from Drum and Bass to Indie/Rock and even some pop. However, it suffers from completely inflated drink prices, surly staff and a complete lack of soul. The club is split over three levels so be prepared to spend the majority of your night searching for someone, anyone that you actually know! It has tried to create a more intimate venue for some of the smaller bands that play there. They have done this by cramming the bands and the audience into the tiny top bar, grandly calling it 'Carling Academy 2'. Again, unless youre desperate to see the band, you'd be better off staying at the Hatchet, a mere 100 yards away, and 100 times better. read more

I don't really like this venue. It suffers from the usual gripes such as expensive ticket prices and extortionate drinks from the bar. But it also seems way too packed at a sold out show and could do with capping the crowd at about 3/4 of their current capacity. I think the physical lay out isn't the best and the floor could do with a minimal change in incline so no matter how far back you are at the rear you can see something - even just the top of a head - of the band. I know that's serious engineering work and won't be holding my breath for that to happen. On the plus side - there is a serious abundance of women's loos. In my eyes that is a serious achievement and knocks the stars up to 3. read more

I've been to the Academy many times, at first I would go to the dance partys that would be held on a bank holiday weekend. These partys were very good as the venue had such a large dance area and a balcony that looked down over the dance floor with a large seating area for those much needed rest breaks. Also the main bar was a good size with a smaller bar at the back. Drinks were a little pricey but that was ok because we went to dance not drink. The last time I went was to see a band play and the venue was perfect for that too, still a shame about the cost of drinks. read more

The Bristol (currently sponsored by O2) academy has always been a love/hate thing for me. Musically they have some great nights there, however there is a distinct lack of atmosphere which has left me feeling that I've never been to a 'great' gig there. Countless 'good' gigs but never a 'great' gig. To be honest, if you love a particular band thats playing, then the night should at the very least be 'good' by default. However the layout is a real problem, it often boils down to whether you want to be crushed and rattled about in the main 'dancefloor' area (for lack of a bitter term) or fenced outside the area feeling like an excluded spectator. The alternatives include standing on the main dance area but to the side to avoid both the crushes and any adequate view of the stage or anyone on it, OR, standing on the stairs like some sort of stair dweller. It's never felt right for me, and I have always been left feeling a little disappointed after each gig there. It was only when visiting gigs in other cities that I realise how sort changed Bristol was in terms of music venues. The fleece, The thekla and The lousiana are all great music venues, and its always great to watch bands at any of these but sadly its the venue that brings the bigger acts that is so terrible. Please, please please, find a better venue to use as the Bristol Academy. read more

Bristol's Carling Academy....a students paradise or horror? Depends on your musical poison really. I spent many a Ramshackle (Friday) in the upstairs bar getting just less than trashed dancing around with my housemates, other assorted friends and friendly strangers listening to the best and worst of modern rock/ska-punk and the like. Losing friends to the downstairs and on the stairs was all part of the experience. Drinks are moderate- its easy to drop a £20 without noticing. Its just good clean fun, though I frequent Ramshackle less often now due to no longer residing in Bristol. As for gigs- its a modern rock haven. Think Reading festival/Give it a Name/Taste of Chaos lineups for potential booked bands. Atmosphere-wise its a really hit or miss. It has no ambience or anything approaching it but its a good sized venue with a decent sound system. Gig tickets average £12-£14. Soo worth it. read more

When I saw that The Bluetones were playing the Bristol Academy (which had recently turned from the Carling Academy to the O2 Academy) I was a little surprised. This is one of, if not the, biggest venues in Bristol and here we had a band of, let's be fair, has-beens. Indie posters who had a substantial following back in the late 90s but who had failed to impress with some of their more recent offerings in the Noughties. And I'm not saying this to diss them as I actually adore The Bluetones but I would have thought they'd have been better off at the Thekla (which they did end up playing the next time they visited Bristol). Anyway, the point is, they weren't playing the main bit, but the upstairs Academy 2, which until then, I had no idea existed. It was somewhat depressing for me walking past the main stage up the stairs to what amounted to little more than a bar to see one of my much loved teenage bands, just imagine how it felt for them! I reckon the Academy should stick to bigger gigs and leave the smaller crowds to the other venues as this Academy 2 bit was really quite rubbish. Too dark, oblong and full of lairy idiots. read more

O2 Academy - Bars Near Me - Bristol, BST

Over priced student dive! The academy's "Ramshackle" night on a Friday has been popular for as long as I can remember and unless you're a student you'll find the whole experience quite dreadful. Dark smelly rooms full of Goths, emos and various other angst filled teenagers slipping and sliding in a mixture of urine, sweat and other bodily fluids best left unmentioned. The music is loud (but can be quite good) and ranges from contemporary indie, rock, ska and the occasional funk track. If you like "good" music and don't mind smelly teenagers and an inch of urine on the floor of the gents, then it's worth a visit. The one plus point is the names the Academy can attract for live music. If you really love a particular artist then it might be worth suffering the over crowding and over priced alcohol. It's your call. read more

Great for live bands. Nice spacious venue having (i believe) a capacity of 2200 people!!! used to be an Odeon Cinema so it has terraced areas overlooking a central dance floor. There are two bars one up, one down. Upstairs bar also has its own dancefloor. Don't bother going clubbing here unless you are a student and your only ambition is to get sh*tfaced. The place lacks soul. Most of the club nights don't bother with any interesting decor or additional lighting so the venue always seems to look the same. They also are quite happy to charge up to £15 for lacklustre club nights! I would only consider going if i had a free guestlist slot. The bar is also expensive and sells crap beers (especially when it was the Carling Academy) all drinks are served in "plastics" too (yuck!) read more

The O2 is much the same as the other O2's, the same overpriced drinks in plastic cups in a converted building. Although it has its own flavour that I certainly never experienced in the O2's of my younger ears in London, namely that it is smaller and it holds club nights. Now unless you're a fan of Indie music which I am not unless it's live, then the only thing that Ramshackle does is turn the venue into a pretty feral place to be. That being said if you don't have a problem with the grime it probably pulls the biggest names in Bristol. read more

The Academy is a large club/music venue in Bristol City Centre. There's an Indie/Alternative night called Ramshackle every Friday where some good tunes are played. On other nights they have gigs. I have seen some good bands here in the past, including Suede and Gomez read more

One of the few large venues to see music in Bristol. The Carling Academy is what you'd expect a dark, sticky place where beer costs over 3 pounds a pint and you're most likely to leave sweaty and covered in somebody else's beer. However with a good band or DJ it can do the business as the setting for some excellent nights out. read more

All the 02 academy venues as rods the UK are top notch night clubs to see live music ,with great sound , balcony views, and friendly staff ! read more

This venue is rubbish! Been twice now. The drinks are a rip off (It's Bristol not London!), the sound quality is average and split on some many levels that the view from the top is rubbish! read more

i'v been to a few gigs here, its eveything u'd expect from a regular carling academy, carlings, dirty, on gig nights lots of underage emo kids. bristol academy dose get some quality acts in tho and thats when its defo worth a punt if just for the moshing!! read more

Horrible, horrible venue. I have never been here when its a night club I go (begrudgingly) to see bands here and I hate the place. Sadly there are not many other places for bands to play in Bristol. Don't stand still too long or you'll stick to the floor. The stairs leading to the top bar are carpeted. Who in their right mind puts carpet in a nightclub?! I avoid the stairs as they have a very strong smell of sick! The sound quality is ok and if you get in early you can usually find somewhere to stand with a decent view. read more

Really pulls the live acts in but incredibly small! Can be very busy and difficult to get a drink at times. Do tend to shoot straight off after seeing the main gig and run down the road to the Bunch of Grapes. I do wonder what the bands may think when they come to our lovely city and play in such a place! read more

Really good venue this, with a very decent sound system. The venue always holds a vast range of acts from international touring bands to smaller independent acts to club nights with awesome DJs. Drinks are above average prices, but I guess that's what you expect in a venue like this. Always a good atmosphere, and extra rooms to get away from the noise if you need to. read more

This venue may not look like a palace by any means but its' pedigree as one of the top venues in the South West is assured by the list of top acts such as Mark Ronson, Dizzee Rascal, and Jill Scott that have played there. The interior is dark, the floor grimey but perhaps that is where the quirk lies. Unlike its' posh neighbour Colston Hall, the Carling Academy is young and bright, with music that reflects this manifesto. With affordable ticket prices and a small, and intimate capacity, try not to underestimate it, even if the Bristol Ice Rink is on top of it. read more

There are some great bands and artists that appear at the Academy. Many that are certainly worth the visit. Although the acts, in my opinion, are the only reason to visit. The place is a bit of a mess, the carpets are always sticky and it can stink. But they do pull great artisits though so I'll block my nose and continue to see great bands there. read more

The Bristol carling academy is a great place to see bands and artists performing live. The venue is small as far as music venues go. It's really good to be able to get up and close to the performers. There's always something going on at the carling academy, aswell as live music they have regular clubbing nights. Definitely a place to go on a night out in bristol read more

I've been to a few carling academies now. They are all pretty basic venues. If you dont want luxury or comfort then you'll be fine!

I've been to enough gigs at the O2 Academy that I know now to steer clear. The view is almost always terrible (unless you manage to get the coveted raised spot on the left hand side of the stage) and if the gig is a sellout then you can forget about being able to move as they cram everyone in like sardines. The additional floors are a waste of space as you can't see the band through the lighting rigs so everyone ends up piled together on the ground floor. It's a shame that this is Bristol's biggest venue as I've actually chosen to miss some of my favourite live acts rather than come here again. read more

Good venue and can be a good night out. Also can get very busy and difficult to get drinks. Has a wide range of music depending on night.

The Carling Academy is from the Carling chain of large clubs located up and down the country. This one is in the centre of town on Frogmore street. It's a really good place to see the live bands which regularly play there but it is lacking as a venue. It is really small and so often packed which makes trying to buy a drink difficult! When you do get to the bar however you realise that drinks are very expensive! There is however always something different going on! read more

The worst venue i've ever been to! very bad sound system! i stood on the stairs opposite stage and i couldn't hear vocal and some instruments!!!! and it's far too small for live gigs! there are only few speakers pointing down and nothing else! it doesn't matter who's going to play there am not going back to this place. don't recommend to anyone unless you want to waste your time and money. read more