A little off the beaten track, but all the better for it, this is Hull’s best and most friendly live music spot.

The Venue
The Lamp is a bit of legend in these parts. It’s modern (before modern existed here), cosy, lived-in and cutting-edge all at the same time — and still has more soul than the ascetic bars on The Avenues.

It’s got a low ceiling and green walls and a dark floor. The central bar has exposed brickwork behind it and is lined with little round velvet-covered stools.

The live music area has a tall stage at the end, big speaker stacks and bright coloured lights and there are massive colourful Manga-type graffiti murals done by local lad Pinky Cooke (Pinkyvision), who is currently riding high in the art world.

The skylight in the ceiling lets in natural light in the early evening, and later the candles on the long wooden tables add their own soft illumination, along with the orangey lights which give the whole place a low glow.

There are more childlike murals of big birds and animals in another room, plus exposed brickwork. Loads of bands have played here — Arctic Monkeys popped in to DJ here recently when their buddies Reverend and The Makers did a gig.

The People
Quite apart from the eclectic artiness of the place, you’ve got the friendliest bar staff in Hull here, which goes a long way to creating the great atmosphere. And Leslie, the official candle-lighter and pub mascot, is local legend.

The Food and Drink
On tap you’ve got Guinness, John Smith’s, Kronenbourg, Fosters, Budvar (regular and dark), Strongbow, Red Stripe, Moretti, Cruzcampo, Leffe, Copper Dragon, Amstel and Erdinger on tap.

And in bottles there’s Corona, Peroni, Modelo, Castell Cru, Estrella, Kingfisher, Quilmers, Mythos, Cobra, Liefmans, Dunquerton’s, Red Stripe, Sierra Nevada, Tsing Tao and Sagres — to name but a few.

It’s £9 for a bottle of house wine, and there’s a large range costing between £9 and £14 a bottle. On the food front you’ve got lighter meals, such as a cheese and tomato toastie (£3) or a Greek salad for £3.50.

Otherwise there’s a homemade steak pie and a beef lasagne is £6.95. Sweet chilli ribs are £3.50, or £6.95 for a large plate and a falafel platter to share is £6.95. Check out the specials’ board too.

The Last Word
Cool and cutting-edge, but laidback and friendly, and some great beer. What more do you want from a music bar?

venue information venue map view hull review add a review