Caroline Street Social Club
Carmel Smickersgill, Tours & Activities Editor
Bradford is a city that stretches well beyond its central hub, with boroughs like Saltaire, you can enjoy a lively evening out on a smaller scale and experience a more welcoming and local perspective on Bradford’s nightlife. One of the venues in which this becomes apparent is Caroline Street Social Club, this venue exists between the worlds of local pub, club and entertainment venue. We say entertainment rather than gigs because you could turn up and see anything from dancing, theatre and live music through to the cultural staple; bingo.
The atmosphere is one of inclusion and feels more like a shared experience rather than formal performance
It is one of the many venues in the area associated with CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), meaning that you’re guaranteed a good pint, no matter the season or occasion. They regularly serve beers from Saltaire Brewery but you can usually find gems from Leeds, Ilkley and Salamander breweries as well. Real ale is arguably part of the North’s cultural identity, and as with Guinness in Ireland, a good real ale tastes best when you’re drinking it just down the road from where it’s made.
With free entry on a Saturday night, the club regularly hosts folk and roots music as well as louder and more energetic acts in the Live Room. The atmosphere is one of inclusion and feels more like a shared experience rather than a formal performance.
Over the lockdown, Caroline Street Social Club opened a beer garden, it’s the ideal place to enjoy a quality local real ale and catch some outdoor live music. Every Tuesday and Friday at 7:30pm the club’s main lounge comes alive with bingo. It’s worth going for the novelty, but you end up staying for the love of the game.
