A club for local bands to showcase their talent, The Thomas Tripp Late and Live has a wider range of entertainment to offer than most clubs in the area.

The Venue
Thomas Tripp Late and Live is on the main road into Christchurch from Bournemouth, so it’s almost impossible to miss. The club has plenty of signs to point out where it is, with boards outside and along the road displaying the week’s acts, as well as a catchy main sign and a couple of dancing statues wearing bowler hats above it.

The club is a good size and open-plan, but the low ceilings prevent it from feeling particularly spacious. The dancefloor is between the long bar and the main stage, with a few bar stools and tables against the walls.

The stage is at the far end of the club, next to the dancefloor and at a similar level, the intimacy of which adds to the great vibe of the place.

It says it opens from 8pm but don’t rely on this as you might be in for a long wait outside if you do. Acts generally start at either 9pm or 9.30pm and it stays open until 3am, with a DJ keeping the music going at intervals and after the live acts finish.

The People
The gigs at the Thomas Tripp Late and Live target people in their twenties and thirties, but you’ll find older people there on almost every occasion enjoying the music. It has an over 21s policy, and also a dress code that’s usually fairly laidback.

The bands that play here regularly have a quite a large local following, so there’s a great atmosphere at the gigs.

The Music
Check ahead for details of the acts, as they have everything from comedy to open mic nights, but the majority are professional bands. The acts play a wide range of music, but mostly rock, soul, jazz and blues.

There are covers acts and tribute bands, as well as a few originals from time to time. Prices of gigs vary, but are around £10 for the more popular Saturday night acts.

The Drink
There is a good range of beers and spirits at reasonable prices. A pint of Stella costs £2 and a large glass of wine is £3.50. Selected shots are £1.

The Last Word
The Thomas Tripp Late and Live is a great place to watch local talent. There’s an energetic vibe and the variation of acts means there’s usually something to suit most tastes. Opening times aren’t always reliable, and acts can be a bit quirky, but more often than not you’ll have a good night out.

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