Music Venue Properties: The Polar Bear, Hull

The Music Venue Properties scheme is the latest initiative by the Music Venue Trust that is aiming to help venues up and down the UK. They are offering to buy up the freeholds of nine different venues across the country, allowing them to rent the space back at a rate which would be lower than what their current landlord asks for.

But they need to crowdfund the funds in order to buy those freeholds. If you want to learn more about the initiative and the ways in which they are aiming to help these venues then you can find out more and donate here. One of the venues they are hoping to help out is The Polar Bear in Hull, which we are spotlighting today.

Like so many venues over the past couple of years, the pandemic pushed The Polar Bear to the edge and it took them a while to reopen. Now, thanks to the Music Venue Trust, they have a chance to have an easier time in the future. It is a Hull institution that has existed since as early as 1895.

Standing opposite what used to be the Hull Zoological Gardens, it is one of only 11 pubs in the country to feature a ceramic bar. A curved, Grade II listed building, it is immediately noticeable in comparison to its surroundings. It has changed from being a pub to one of the city's premier live music destinations.

In order to nurture local talent from Hull, it gives local bands a chance to strut their stuff every Tuesday with an event called Sesh. It is a fantastic platform for local talent to get gig experience and offers that sense of community that only local independent venues can provide. This is why venues like The Polar Bear are so important for their local scenes.

If you take a look at some of the artists that the venue are hosting in the upcoming months, you'll realise how crucial it is in attracting phenomenal talent. Yorkshire post-punk risers Yard Act will be playing in September, as will other rising indie bands such as Blackwaters and Courting.

The Polar Bear is a key proving ground for the latest indie bands and you'll never be let down by a Hull crowd. The venue prides itself as a music club and has a weekly club night on Saturdays that features the very best in indie from underground hits to emerging artists.

Places like The Polar Bear need to be protected and thankfully the Music Venue Trust is stepping in to try and secure its financial future. It's another example of an independent venue that allows its local scene to thrive and would be a devastating loss if it were no longer around. 

Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.