This is a list of sessions as known by us in 2023. It is no longer being updated, but we hope the list will be a useful resource giving information of where you can find more up to date information.
NORTHERN ENGLAND (north of Birmingham)
Barnsley. Old Number Seven public house on Market Hill. Second Sunday of each month from about 1pm and lasts about four to five hours. All types of Traditional tunes are played, not just celtic, and all musicians will be made very welcome with a free pint of quality real ale. Contact Alan Jones: tel 07841 923 097
Burton upon Trent. Coopers Tavern. Every Tuesday, 9.00 pm. English and Irish. Howard Mitchell, 01283 532551 (pub).www.derbyfolk.co.uk
Buxton, Derbys. Four sessions: The George. Every Monday. Music and Song, anything goes. Ramsay's Bar. Every Thursday. Tunes only. Paul Sullivan, 01298 22530. Prince of Wales, 1st and 3rd Wednesdays. The Eagle, 2nd and 4th Wednesdays. Chris Rockliffe, 01298 72934.
Crewe. The Crown Pub, Earle Street. Wednesdays at 8.30pm.
Fleetwood, Lancashire. Fleetwood Folk meet every Thursday night at 8-30pm in The Strawberry Gardens, Poulton Road, Fleetwood, FY7 6TF.
Grange-over-sands, Cumbria. First Friday of every month, 8pm till closing time, at the Keg & Kitchen, Main Street, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 6AB (opposite the Post Office). An open session of traditional and modern folk music and songs, mostly playing together. Everyone welcome to join us in a great pub with good beer and a really friendly atmosphere.
Harrogate. The Alexandra, 11 Prospect Place, Harrogate HG1 1LB. Instrumental folk session. Contact Ray Black - blackmale@talk21.com
Huddersfield. The Grove, 2 Spring Grove Street, HD1 4BP. Thursdays 8.30pm. Trad Irish session. 01484 430113
Jackfield nr Ironbridge, Shrops. Boat Inn. Every Thursday, 8.00 pm. Irish. Fliss Burke, 01952 586986.
Jackfield nr Ironbridge, Shrops. Black Swan Inn. 3rd Sundays. English. Dave Hunt, 01952-505073.
Kegworth, Leicestershire. Third Friday Tunes meets at the Red Lion, 24 High Street, Kegworth, DE74 2DA, at 8.15pm. Tune session - any tradition welcome. Every third Friday.
Kendal, Cumbria. The Rifleman's Arms. Thursdays at 9pm. 01539 723224
Lancaster. The Britannia. Every Tuesday, 9.00 pm. Advanced Irish. Gordon Johnston, 01524 593845.
Lancaster. Gregson Centre. Every Thursday. All types. Rebecca Parris, 01524-36416.
Leeds. Irish Sessions: Wednesdays, Chemic Tavern, 9pm ; York Rd, Irish Centre, first Saturdays, 9pm.Chris O’Malley, info@irishmusicleeds.com
Liverpool. Belvedere Arms, 5 Sugnall St. Every Thursday 2-4pm. Singaround. 0151 709 0303.
Liverpool. Edinburgh pub session, Sandown Lane, Wavertree. Every Monday evening. Irish session. 0151 733 3533
Liverpool. Lion Tavern, Moorfields. 2nd Thursday of month from 8.15pm. Singaround. 0151 236 1734
Liverpool. White Star, Rainford Gardens. Every Wednesday lunchtime: singaround. 0151 231 6861.
Liverpool. Kelly's Dispensary, Smithdown Rd. Trad Irish tunes. 1st Sunday of the month, 7.30 till late
Longridge, Lancs. Civic Hall. Every 4th Thursday, 7.30pm. Shaun Mills, 01772 780562 (venue).
Long Eaton, Notts. Half Crown Inn, acoustic/celtic/folk session. Contact timothy.wright (at) domgen.com
Lydiate, Merseyside. Scotch Piper. Every Thursday evening: singaround. 0151 526 0503
Middlestone nr Spennymoor, Co Durham, Ship Inn. 1st Sundays, 8.00. Music and Song. Dot and Barry Siddle. 01388 817485.
Middlewich, Cheshire, Boar’s Head. 2nd Saturdays, 8pm. Acoustic and song. Dave Thompson, 01606 836896.
Mobberley, Cheshire. Bulls Head. 1st and 3rd Tuesdays. Mainly English. Brian and Linda Corrigan, 01565 654014
Newcastle upon Tyne, Cumberland Arms, St James Place Street, Byker, NE6 1LD. 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Wednesdays of the month. Traditional Irish Music session from 8pm. Contact peterh324@hotmail.co.uk
Ormskirk. Derby Arms, Aughton. Every Wednesday evening. Folk singaround. 01695 422237
Ormskirk. The Greyhound, Aughton Street. 2nd Thursday of month from 9pm. 01695 576701
Sale, South Manchester, Jackson's Boat. Every 1st Saturday from 12.30pm - Folk At The Beech.
Sheffield, Chapeltown. Commercial Hotel. Every Monday. Singaround. George Hill.
Sheffield, Dungworth. Royal Hotel. 2nd Sundays, 8.00pm. English. Diane Richardson, 0114 2631315, or Mark Davies, 0114 2851479.
Sheffield, Stannington, Rivelin Hotel. 4th Thursdays, 8.00pm. English. Diane Richardson, 0114 2631315.
Sheffield, Kelham Island Tavern. 1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays. Mainly English. Val Huzzard. 0114 2552228.
Sheffield, Kelham Island Tavern. 4th Sundays. Unaccompanied song. Richard Arrowsmith, 0114 231 6779.
Sheffield, Kelham Island, The Fat Cat. 1st Fridays. All sorts of stuff. Andy Bowdin, 0114 266 5197
Sheffield , Hillsborough Hotel. 4th Thursdays, European (French and Scandinavian). Val Huzzard. 0114 2552228.
Sheffield, Strip The Willow. 3rd Sundays - tunes and songs, all welcome. Also frequent one-offs gigs. Unlicensed, BYO drinks, cafe service available. Sadly not suitable for anyone who can't manage stairs. stripthewillow.org
Southport, Guest House on Union Street. 1st Monday of month singaround from 8.30. 3rd Monday of month music session from 8.15. 01704 537660
Southport. Mason's Arms, Anchor Street. 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 8.30pm: singaround and tunes. 01704 534123
Stamford, Lincs, Barnack, Millstone Inn. Every 1st Tuesday, 8.00pm. Many musical types. James Chadwick.
Stockport. Ye Olde Vic, Chatham St, SK3 9ED. Ye Olde Vic Band run an all welcome English Tunes session every second, fourth and fifth Wednesday.
West Hallam, Derbyshire. The Punch Bowl in The Village. First Thursday of the month. 8.30pm. A general session for any type of traditional music. Contact Rich Buxton on greenfiddler2@tiscali.co.uk.
Whitley Bay, Berkeley Tavern, Marine Avenue. Singaround. 8.30pm.
Wolverhampton. The Barley Mow, Pennwood Lane, Penn Common near Wolverhampton WV4 5JN. Phone 01902 333150.
Acoustic session, Folk based but anything goes. Organiser Jez Quinn phone 07963336549.
9-11.30pm every first and third Monday of the month, all year round.
York. The Maltings. Every Tuesday. English, Irish, Scottish. Mike Tavener, 01904 798738.
SOUTHERN ENGLAND ( Birmingham and south)
Adderbury nr Banbury, Oxon. The Bell Inn. 1st and 3rd Mondays, 9.00pm. All types. John Ekers, 01295 720381.
Amersham, Bucks. Red Lion, Coleshill Village. 4th Sunday 8pm. Mainly English but all welcome. Susan Bell 020 8954 5840
Bath. Royal Oak, Lower Bristol Rd. Alternate Wednesdays. Mainly English. Chris Timson, 01225-864706
Bradford on Avon, Wilts. Bear Inn. Alternate Mondays. Mainly English. Chris Timson, 01225-864706 EnglishMusicPlayedHere.org.uk
Bridgwater, Somerset. Arts Centre. 1st Wednesdays, 8.00pm. Music and song. Bill Crawford, 01278 422700 (venue).
Bristol, Hotwells. Merchants Arms. Every Tuesday, 8.00pm. Mainly English. Geoff Woolfe, 0117 9632126.
Chesham, Buckinghamshire. The Gamekeepers Lodge, Bellingdon Road. 3rd Friday of the month, from 9pm til late. For more info contact Helen & Pete 01494 581 774. All musicians welcome. Sandwiches provided for musicans!
Combe Martin, N Devon. Top George Inn. 2nd Saturdays, 8.00pm. Music and song. Barbara Brown, 01271 882366.
Croscombe, Somerset. Every Monday, 8pm till 10ish, at the George Inn, Croscombe, BA5 3QH. An open session of traditional and modern folk music, mostly playing together. Everyone welcome to join us and bringing new tunes to share is encouraged.
Dorchester. Wessex Royale Hotel. 2nd Tuesdays (?). Music, song and stories/poems. Howard Wright, 01305-263544.
Dunton, March Hare Pub, First Tuesday of the month. contact duntonfolk[at]hotmail.co.uk
Frome, Somerset. Griffin Pub. Last Tuesdays, 9.00pm. Mainly Irish. Trevor Mills, 07743-165432.
Haslemere, Surrey, The Wheatsheaf Inn, GU27 2DE. Irish session every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month 9pm - Keith 01971 661615 www .flyingtoads.co.uk
Kingsbridge, Devon -The Globe Inn, Frogmore. 1st Tuesdays, 3rd Thursdays. Music and song, all welcome. Sarah and Nigel 01548 531525
Kingsbridge, Devon - The Royal Oak, Malborough. 2nd and 4th Wednesdays. Music and song, all welcome. Sarah and Nigel 01548 531525
Kingsbridge, Devon - The Crabshell Inn. 1st Thursdays. Song accompanied and unaccompanied. Brenda 01548 853351
Lewes, Sussex. Lewes Arms. 1st Mondays, 8.00pm. Concertinas. Bryan Creer, 01273 474389.
London SE1, Horseshoe Inn. 1st Sundays, lunchtime. English. Martin Nail, 020 7485 2459.
London N7 8JL, The Lamb (pub), 54 Holloway Road. Sundays (except the last of each month). 8.00 pm. Irish, Scottish and much more. Todoja. facebook.com/TodojaJam
London, Greenwich. The Star & Garter pub, 60 Old Woolwich Rd, Telephone (020) 8305 1144. Every Tuesday, 9.00pm. English music and song.
London, Forest Hill. Blythe Hill Tavern. Every Thursday, 9.00pm. Intermediate Irish. Danny Mackay, 020 7848 0553/0119. Free beer for players.
London, Highgate. Red Lion and Sun. Last Thursday of month. Intermediate, mainly Irish. Pete Eiseman-Renyard, 07958-282898.
London, Highgate. Sunday nights, 7pm - weekly traditional Irish music session hosted by Paddy Egan, Karen Ryan (London Lasses) and Pete Quinn. FREE
London, Islington, The Old Red Lion Theatre Pub. Session 1st and 3rd Sundays from 8pm.
London. Howl at the Moon, 178 Hoxton St, London N1 5LH. Every Saturday 4-6pm. Eimear McGeown, Nigel Stevens. Contact Nigel Stevens 07968 585590
London. Howl at the Moon, 178 Hoxton St, London N1 5LH, Eimear McGeown. Every Sunday 5-7pm, Nigel Stevens. Contact Nigel Stevens 07968 585590
London. The White Hart Hotel, 184 New Cross Rd, New Cross, London SE14 5AA. Every Sunday 2-4pm. Eimear McGeown, Nigel Stevens & Rita Farrell. Contact Nigel Stevens 07968 585590
Penzance, Admiral Benbow on Chapel Street, Penzance, Cornwall. Cornish traditional music session. Every Thursday. 8pm-10pm. Visitors welcome, tune names, keys and sets are announced. More details: cornishtrad.com/penzance/
Salisbury , The Chough Inn. 2 nd Tuesdays, 8.00pm. English. Trevor and Sarah Marks. 01980 610151.
Southampton, The Hobbit Pub, Bevois Valley, Sundays 3-7pm. Musicians welcome. Pat Begley.
Stourbridge, W Mids. Katie Fitzgerald’s. Every Wednesdays, 9.00pm. Irish. Tim Woodhall, 01384 374410 (pub).
Uxbridge, Community Centre. Every Wednesday. All types of music. Peter.
West Mersea, The Coast Inn, Coast Road. Lively folk/acoustic session. Every Thursday 8.30-11pm
Wootton nr Woodstock , Oxon, Killingworth Castle. 1 st Mondays. All sorts. Jed Mugford.
Worcester , Monkwood Green, Fox Inn. 4 th Fridays. All types of music and song. Mike Walton, 01905-357482.
SCOTLAND
Aberdeen, The Globe. Every Tuesday, 9.00 pm. Intermediate Music and Song. Scottish Culture and Traditions Assoc, 01224 591900. (Start time may be later if football on TV!)
Blanefield, Lanarks. Carbeth Inn. Fortnightly Thursdays. Scottish Music and Song. Colin Dunk, 0141 956 7037 (or Inn 01360 770002).
Brechin, Angus. Caledonia Hotel. Every 4th Friday, 8.00pm. Irish and Scottish, Music and song. Manuel Balaguer-Cortes 01356 624345 (pub).
Cairndow, Argyll. Stagecoach Inn. Every 1st Friday, 8.00 pm.. Lochgoilhead Fiddle Workshop, Music and Song. Mark Morpurgo. 01301 703559.
Dundee, Broughty Ferry, Fisherman’s Tavern. Every Thursday, 9.00pm. Intermediate, Scottish and Irish. Music and song. Peter Gilmore, 01382 775941 (pub). Pub has featured in CAMRA guide for more than 30 years.
Dunoon, Renfrews. Lorne Bar. Every Sunday, 1.00pm. Scottish Music and Song. Loudon Temple, 01369 705064 (pub).
Edinburgh. White Hart Inn. Every Monday, 9.00pm. Scottish Music and Song. Marieke Smegen, 0131 2262806 (pub).
Edinburgh. Bennet’s Bar. Every Wednesday, 9.00pm. Scottish, Beginners. Nigel Gatherer, 01764 656347. ‘Slow’ session.
Edinburgh. The Ensign Ewart. Every Sunday, 9.00pm. Intermediate, Music and Song. Sandy Brechin, 0131 2257440 (pub).
Edinburgh, Sandy Bell’s Bar. Every Sunday afternoon, 3.00pm.Mainly Scottish, Music and song. Jack Campin, 07800 739 557. Especially good for ‘soft instruments’ (harmonica and smallpipes).
Edinburgh. West End Hotel. Every Thursday, 9.00pm. Irish and Scottish music for Gaelic speakers. Mark Neilly, 0131-441-6628 (pub).
Glasgow. Iron Horse, West Nile Street. Wednesdays 8-11pm. Open Irish session.
Glenfarg, Perthshire. Glenfarg Hotel. Every Monday evening. Music starts 8.30. Contact David McColl publicity@glenfargfolkclub.com
Grantown On Spey, Garth Hotel, Every second Wednesday, 8pm. All types of folk and roots music. Contact Gary 01479872144
Helensburgh, Rhu Inn, Rhu. Every Sunday, 6pm. Contact eilidh@helensburghtradmusiclive.com
Irvine, The Ship Inn, Tuesdays at 8pm - all welcome
Kelso. The Cobbles Inn. Every Friday, 9.30pm. Music and Song. David Kilpatrick, 01573 226032. Mainly acoustic though low power also permitted.
Killin, Perthshire, Ben Lawers Hotel. Every Sunday. Music and Song. William Chisholm, 01838 300 235.
Lauder, Berwickshire, The Black Bull Hotel, 01578 722208. Wednesdays.
Linlithgow Sports Club Folksters. Sports Club, Boghall, Edinburgh Road, Linlithgow. 2nd & 4th Mondays, 7.30-10.30. Musicians and singers all welcome, or indeed anyone who wants to come along for the craic. Licensed bar.
Linlithgow Folk Festival Sessions. Black Bitch Tavern. Every 1st Thursday evening at 8pm, and every 2nd Sunday afternoon at 2pm.
Musselburgh. Volunteer Arms/Stagg’s Bar. 1st Mondays. Music and song. John Jessiman.
Newcastleton Folk Night. Grapes Hotel. 4th Tuesday in the month from 8pm. All welcome - musicians, singers, audience. For further details: David or Eliza on 013873 75919. Email: elizamood@btinternet.com
Pitlessie. Live Music Group, The Village Inn, Pitlessie,by Cupar, Fife. Every second Thursday, 8.30pm all types of music and song. website - livemusicgroup.co.uk
Rothiemay, Huntly. Folk night in the Forbes Arms hotel. 8pm start on the first two Thursdays of every month. info@forbesarms.co.uk.
Sanquhar, A' The Airts. Open session held on the first and third Saturday of each month, starting at 1.30 pm, with a charge of £3.00 per session, which includes tea, coffee and biscuits
Stonehaven, Belvedere Hotel. 4 th Thursdays. Traditional. Pete Murray, 01569 – 763913.
Stranraer, Swan Inn. Every Wednesday, 9.00pm. Acoustic music and song. Cathy Frank, 01776 810473.
WALES
Fishguard. Royal Oak. Every Tuesday, 8.00pm. Music and song. Bryan Talbot, 07934 418186.
Glasbury On Wye, Powys, Wales. The Harp Inn. Trad Irish session, 1st Sat of the month. All welcome. Contact Alan 01874 658 440
Holyhead, Anglesey, Kings Arms. Every Tuesday. All sorts but strictly acoustic. Dave Evanson, 01407 764950.
Lampeter. Cwmann Tavern, every Thursday, 9pm. Mostly Irish but any good tunes welcome
Longtown, nr Abergavenny, The Crown Inn. Instrumental Session, first Thursday. 1.15pm - 4pm - Judy 01432 263495
Middletown, Powys. Breidden Hotel. Last Wednesdays. English music and song. Yorkie Bartram, 01938 570535. You can also contact Yorkie about other events in Shropshire and Powys.
Newport, Gwent. Irish National Club. 1st Fridays. Irish. Haydn Price (or Dave Murphy).
NORTHERN IRELAND
Armagh , Gildernews Bar. Every Tuesday, 10.00pm. Song and tunes. Philip Cheung, 028 3752 7315.
Ballycastle, Antrim. House of McDonnell. Every Friday, 10.00.Dick Glasgow, 028207 51746.
Belfast, The Duke of York. Every Thursday, 10pm. Trad Irish
Belfast, Maddens Bar. Every Friday & Saturday, 10pm. Trad Irish.
Bushmills, Antrim. Smugglers Inn. Every Saturday, 9.00pm. Irish and Scottish. Dick Glasgow, 028207 51746.
Portrush, Antrim, Springhill Bar. Every Thursday, 10.00pm. Dick Glasgow, 028207 51746.
IRELAND
Ardara, Co Donegal. Beehive Bar. Every Friday, 10.00pm. Music and Song. Fiona Heywood, +353 749537967
Ballinacarrow, Co Sligo. Durkin's - Singing session - second wednesday's at 9.30pm
Ballymote, Co Sligo. Perry's - Singing session - Last wednesday's at 10pm
Blarney, Co Cork, Huntsman’s. Every Wednesday, 10.00pm. Music and Song. Pa Jo McSweeney. Ongoing since 1981.
Boyle, Co Roscommon. Dodds The Crescent. Singing session - 3rd Saturdays at 9.30pm
Carrigallen, Co Leitrim, Mitchell’s Bar. Every Thursday, 10.00pm. John McCartin, +353 49 433 9000 (pub)t. Free drink on offer.
Dunkineely, Co Donegal. McIntyre's Bar. Every Wednesday, 10.30pm. Music and Song.
Gleann, Co Sligo. Alma's. Singing Session. First Friday's at 10pm
Glenties, Co Donegal. Glen Tavern (Dinny's). Last Saturday, 10.00pm
Inishowen Trad Singers Circle, monthly session in either McPheely's Bar, Clonmany or North Pole Bar, Drumfries. Kevin McGonigle, +353 (0)74 937896
Irishtown, New Ross, Co Wexford, Corcoran's. Every Thursday. Contact Paddy Joyce - pjoy@eircom.net
Kilkishen, Co Clare, Donnelon’s Pub. Every Thursday, 11.00pm.
Knockroghery, Co Roscommon. Murray's. Singing Session. First Saturday at 9.30pm
Miltown Malbay, Co Clare. Hillary’s Bar. Every Friday, 10.00pm. Music and Song. Gerry Hegarty.
Miltown Malbay, Co Clare, Tom Malone’s. Every Monday, 10.00pm. Fintan Malone, +353-65-70-85916 (pub).
In addition to the above info on individual sessions supplied directly to Living Tradition, there are a number of websites which list much that’s going on. Some of the information contained on these websites may be out of date, so please ensure you check with the session organisers before jumping in the car!
UK sessions - an online database where you can search for pub music sessions in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and also add details of your own session.
www.englishfolkinfo.org.uk Run by Martin Nail of the Committee Band. Attempts to cover whole of England by region, listing sessions (and Folk Clubs)
www.mustrad.org.ukRun by Rod Stradling of Musical Traditions. All types of sessions from all over England and abroad.
Run by Mr Red. Sessions, clubs etc in Gloucs ‘and attached bits’
Run by Sabrinaflu Folk Magazine. Sessions etc in Shropshire .
Run by Somerset and Dorset Folk.
Run by FolkSpace. Lists sessions etc in Derbyshire.
Run by Trouble at Mill band. Lists events in NW England.
Run by Scottish Tourist Board. Lists pub sessions in Scotland