Northern Quarter Huddersfield
Johnny James, Managing Editor
Northern Quarter is a small-capacity, grassroots music venue and bar set in the heart of Huddersfield. Boasting a high spec PA system, it plays hosts to live music, sound system nights, open mics, poetry events, workshops, lectures, art installations and theatre, always placing an emphasis on the local scene and culture.
The venue is housed in the building formerly known as the Builders Club, an iconic part of the local music scene in the 1960s and 1970s, when it was fondly known as Huddersfield’s answer to The Cavern in Liverpool. It was re-opened as Northern Quarter in 2017 by Sam Hodgson and Michael Acton, who sought to breathe fresh life into the local music scene.
Welcoming and inclusive, the 120-capacity venue hosts an array of music and performance from local and nationally touring live bands to reggae nights, open mics and exhibitions – all powered by a custom Axis Sound System PA, made by one of the UK’s leading designers of vintage amps and speakers.
In its short life, the venue has hosted the likes of Grammy Award-winning Keyon Harold, Cultural Olympiad Yazz Ahmed, Mercury Prize-nominated Laura Jurd, Björk drummer Chris Corsano and PRS supported Vula Viel.
As well as great music, the Northern Quarter is passionate about great beer. Huddersfield-based brewery Magic Rock, Leeds-based North Brewing Company and Hebden Bridge-based Vocation Brewery are all well represented, alongside a great international offering. The venue has a self-regulated walk-in beer fridge which keeps beer extremely chilled and tasting great. They also serve freshly-baked and reasonably-priced pizza, if a ‘substantial meal’ is what you’re after!
A great thing for the local scene, Northern Quarter is Huddersfield’s go-to spot for music fans and beer lovers alike.
