About us
Polar Bear Music Club is a vibrant live music venue, bar, and community-focused event space based in Hull. We occupy a historic Grade II listed pub building with unique architectural features, including one of the UK’s few surviving ceramic bar counters, that dates back to the late 19th Century and reflects the area’s long social and cultural heritage.
Originally known simply as The Polar Bear, our venue has been a cornerstone of Hull’s music scene for decades. After the pandemic forced its closure under previous ownership, local support rallied in a major crowdfunded effort to save it. In 2021 it reopened as a Community Interest Company (CIC), run by and for Hull’s community, with the aim of sustaining grassroots music and events in the city.
Today, Polar Bear hosts an eclectic programme of live music, DJ nights, jazz evenings, open performance sessions and more, blending local, national and international artists across genres. It’s especially known for free entry nights and community-oriented events, including weekly nights like The Sesh, which showcases emerging talent.
The venue’s character is shaped by its intimate atmosphere, historic pub roots and strong connection to Hull’s creative scene, making it both a social hub and a launching pad for new performers.