The Robin

This place is now known as The Robin 2 (I’m guessing due to a change of management or something?). Prepare for some innuendo in this review!
To enter the main music venue you have to go around the back (oh-​er missus!) and apparently there’s a bar next door, that you enter around the front! We didn’t visit this part of the bar so I can’t comment on it.
There’s a good size car park at the back, and it’s free!
It’s one of those places where EVERYTHING is sticky (make your own joke there!!) Not just the dance floor but the walls, tables, seats etc. So try not to stay in one place for too long. I guess it’s a good excuse to get dancing!
They didn’t have lots of seats so some people braved sitting on the floor. They may still be there now, stuck forever…
They have a great line up of music acts, from tribute bands to proper bands, across lots of different music genres! I went to the Dames of Darkness festival, which was a two day event consisting of 15 female-​fronted metal/​rock/​goth bands from all over the world. Well worth the money.
On the Saturday the mike was a bit squeaky (did it need greasing up?!) but the sound was absolutely fine on the Sunday.
They serve food all day and was I assured their vegetarian burger was suitable for vegans, but I had my doubts after trying one on the Saturday. The chips were very nice though. On the Sunday I confused the woman behind the bar by asking for chips and a plain bun. I had to explain that I wanted to make myself a chip butty! My friends said the pizza was good, and people seemed to constantly have their lips around pizza and wraps so they must’ve been tasty!
The bar staff were friendly, despite it being very busy.
In my tip, I mentioned napkins. People seemed to be constantly walking passed with these stuck to the bottom of their boots, I found it rather amusing!
The toilets are upstairs. The stairs are also sticky, making it seem like a mountain hike to get to the top! (there is a disabled toilet downstairs). The ladies toilets stayed fairly clean the whole day/​evening and for some reason they reminded me of secondary school toilets. There’s plenty of them and I never needed to queue.
I’d definitely go back here. It’s not an outstanding venue but if a band you like are playing then GO!

I remember going to the old Robin back in the early 90’s and not much has changed since then.
The Robin always seems to have decent acts, both domestic and imported. Some of the names that have played here are amazing. Then… they let me on the stage. What were they thinking?
So, the sound was very good — tending to lean toward a «Rockier» sound due to the dimensions of the room. It is a little bit of a «sticky-​floor» type venue, but without a doubt has plenty of guts and integrity in it’s credentials.
One point that I will speak of was the food that we were served. I am not sure if the band food is from a menu that is on offer at The Robin, but it was first-​class and home cooked. I went for the lamb shank and it was fantastic.
All in all a great venue with some brilliant acts on the roster. I will look forward to returning whether it be onstage or off.
A little Robin video footage of my night there below…

fantastic venue that has come on leaps and bounds in the last few years. the highlight of the venue has to have been steven segal playing here last year! a hotel has just been opened next door called woodys. the venue is always clean, busy and loud!

Small concert venue great for seeing up and coming or journeyman bands and acts.

Ticket prices can be high but they have some good bands. Some originals and some tribute. Have seen some really good bands here. No real ales available unforunately and its £2.60 for smoothpour Bank’s mild. Still — its the music I go for and always visit The Old White Rose first if I’m drinking that night. Last saw the original Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel — they played for 2 hours. Great venue, just be careful of the steep stairs if visiting the toilet though!

Dont know why I didnt put 5 stars, maybe saving that for the venue of a lifetime, which I still await. The Robin is a great venue, great bands and handy little bar ‘Woodies’ next door. Upstairs you can get a baked potato and the natives are friendly.
Plenty of retro bands and big names turning up, and its only a walk away for me, hee, hee.

Though not as good as before the ‘improvements’, The Robin is a popular, safe, and friendly place with good bands and and a great atmosphere. Drinks are reasonable, too. Ticket prices are a bit steep, but that’s the same all over now. And you can catch the 525 right outside at 11.30 pm

This place is just brill, my favorite UK little music venue. It specialises in Rock /​Blues although it has a lot of 70’s /​80’s bands on. It’s a small venue, with a couple of bars in the hall. Upstairs theres a restrarant and they do hot pork sandwiches for sale on your way out! What more do you need from a venue!
I’ve been here to see allsorts of people from Midge Ure, Robin Trower, Robben Ford, and the Spin Doctors. It’s just a great little independent music venue.