Welcome to a fiery cornerstone of music, culture, and community. With its rustic charm, real ales, and an ever-rotating lineup of live music, it stands as a testament to the city’s lively arts scene.
Team IM caught up with the venue to get insight into what makes this venue a must-visit spot.
Venue Name: The Old Firehouse
Address: 50 New North Road, EX4
Contact Email: info@oldfirehouseexeter.co.uk
Contact Phone Number: 01392 277 279
Flavours for every musical taste
The Old Firehouse is synonymous with diversity, hosting genres that span the spectrum of Exeter’s eclectic music taste.
A blend of rhythms that resonate with a broad audience: Funk, Reggae, Soul, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Rock n Roll right through to Indie Rock, Latin Funk, Indie Disco and Alternative.
The venue shines with its signature events, from the electrifying Friday night live music sessions to the soulful Ex-Tunes every Sunday, showcasing great local and international talent.
Each weekend is different. Visitors are encouraged to pop on their dancing shoes and be prepared to rub shoulders, knees and toes with Exeter’s best party pubgoers.
What’s coming up in Exeter: Old Firehouse
On Friday, September 20th, make your way down to OF for Cult of the Medium Way, a Devon-based trio bringing their acoustic indie rock talent to the stage.
Devon-born and bred duo Fat Beard, bring good beats, fun harmonies and a great time to the venue the following week, Friday 27th.
On Friday, October 4th, it would be wrong not to indulge in Sinful Maggie, a punk rock band based in Dorset that has been touring up and down the country, capturing the hearts of true Punk and Oi fans, Celtic punk fans, and everything in between. FFO the loud, the fast, and the aggressive. As with all events, entry is free, and the show starts at 10 p.m.
The Blues Machine, turn up the heat at the Od Firehouse on October 25th. This heavy blues rock band based in London and Bournemouth, will get you dancing the night away!
On Friday, 15th November, incredibly talented Jake Loosemore returns to the Old Firehouse’s stage. This gifted singer/songwriter and guitarist will be playing you through till Saturday.
Memorable moments
The venue has been a launchpad for talents and has witnessed unforgettable nights filled with music and memories.
Mad Dog Mcrea, Willie and the Bandits, My Baby, Pattern Pusher, Reggaskas, Revelation Roots, Town of Cats, Electric Spank, Red Cups… the list goes on!
Ex-Tunes Sundays have become a staple, offering a stage for talented student performers for the community of music lovers.
Free entry
In keeping with The Old Firehouse’s inclusive spirit, entry to its live music nights is always free, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the joy of music without barriers.
Beyond the music, The Old Firehouse offers a warm, inviting space for over 300 guests.
Its amenities include a bar, a dancefloor, an outdoor beer garden, and more seating on the second level.
No one can top these Pizza toppings!
The Old Firehouse is also renowned for its culinary delights, mainly its legendary 14″ pizzas and Sunday roasts. With vegetarian, vegan, and GF options, there’s something for everyone to savour.
Their famous 14″ pizzas make a great meal or a real crowd-pleaser for sharing!
Pizzas are fully customisable, with a range of extra toppings to choose from. Paired with their selection of the best and local cider, ales and beers on barrel, the Old Firehouse is the perfect venue to lock in for the night.
Explore Exeter
Ideally located a few minutes’ walk from Exeter Central train station and close to various accommodations like the Leonardo Hotel and the Queens Court Hotel, The Old Firehouse is an ideal starting point for exploring Exeter’s attractions.
From the cosy corners of Gandy Street to the tranquil beauty of the Quayside, there’s much to discover.
Check out our webpage for the top spots in Exeter to visit:
A bit of history
Between the mid-1800s and the early 1930s, it was a working fire station before the fire service moved its operation to the nearby Danes Castle. In fact, one of its original fire lamps now stands outside Danes Castle.
During the Second World War it was a military recruitment office, and in the 60s and 70s it was used as a warehouse for railway supplies before becoming derelict.
It opened as The Old Fire House in 1986. The rest, they say, is history.
A call to music lovers
Quick-fire Firehouse Q&A
Best booking so far for 2024? – “Cantaloop had a Beatles moment when they played in February – a packed crowd to watch their gig and lots of screaming/giggling students. We also had a fun Irish dance off on St Paddy’s weekend with The Dilly Boys playing Celtic style pop classics.”
Describe the venue in three words? “Vibin’, quirky, lively.”
If the venue was a season, what would it be? ”Autumn – cosy, heart-warming, homey, where you wanna be all year round. ❤️”
Capacity: During live music, we remove the tables from the downstairs bar area to make space for a dancefloor. The downstairs area where live music is performed has a max capacity of around 90 guests standing. Entire building has a capacity for 300 guests (standing/seated combined)
Cloakroom: We don’t have a cloakroom unfortunately.
Seating Area: Bar, outdoor beer garden with seating, more seating on second floor.
Access: Limited access, but the ground floor is accessible from the street (i.e. there are no steps or stairs to get from the street entrance to the bar.
Admission: Free
Can you think of any hotels/places to stay close to the venue? For example, if a visitor were to ask for a recommendation: our sister pub in Exeter, The Turks Head, has 6 lovely rooms available (a 10-minute walk from us on the High Street). The Mercure Exeter Rougemont Hotel is also close by.
Are you a grassroots music venue, eatery, café or small business in Exeter? Reach out to the team to be featured on the Involving Music website.
