○ IMPTReading
← All things to do Live Shows & Venues · Reading Town Centre

South Street Arts Centre

Reading's much-loved small venue for comedy, folk, indie gigs and spoken word — 210 seats, a proper bar and a genuinely interesting programme.

Where
Reading Town Centre
Time needed
2-3 hr visit
Tickets
£15
Free days
Selected free-entry events (poetry night, community showcases)
South Street Arts Centre stage during a live gig South Street Arts Centre stage during a live gig

What to expect at South Street Arts Centre

South Street opened in 1985 in a converted school on the edge of town and is Reading Borough Council's small-scale live arts venue. It seats around 210 and programmes a wide mix: touring stand-up (regular slots for Frankie Boyle, James Acaster and Nish Kumar warm-up shows), folk and world music, indie and alt-rock, jazz nights, spoken word, small-scale theatre and monthly life-drawing sessions. It is exactly the kind of venue every town should have and many don’t, and it has a fiercely loyal audience.

The building is unpretentious: a foyer bar with fair-priced pints, a single main hall with retractable seating for cabaret or standing formats, and a smaller studio for spoken word and workshops. The atmosphere is close and friendly — acts often chat at the bar afterwards. The programme leans indie and interesting rather than mainstream; comedy shows tend to sell out and folk nights fill up. The Loud Poets and Reading Poets slam nights run monthly and are free.

Ten minutes' walk east of Reading Station on South Street. Book online or at the box office Tuesday to Saturday. Tickets typically £12-25. Small enough that any seat is a good seat. Pair with dinner at one of the King's Road pubs (the George Hotel does an early theatre menu) or a Vietnamese at Pho on Broad Street. Handy for anyone staying at a Reading Town Centre hotel — a 5-minute walk from the Malmaison.

Plan your visit Tickets£15 Free daysSelected free-entry events (poetry night, community showcases) Time needed2-3 hr visit WhereReading Town Centre Opening hours Box office Tue-Sat 12:00-18:00 Doors typically 19:30 Events most nights of the week Hotels near South Street Arts Centre

Questions about South Street Arts Centre

Ticket price?

Typically £12-25 depending on act. Comedy £15-22, folk £18-25, spoken word free-£10.

Free-entry events?

Yes — monthly poetry slam and community showcases are free. Watch the What's On listings.

How long is a show?

2-3 hours including support and interval.

Closed days?

Sunday and Monday usually dark. Occasional Sunday matinees.

Booking?

Recommended — comedy sells out days ahead, small folk shows can sell out weeks ahead.

Nearest station?

Reading Station, 10-min walk east via Kings Road and South Street.

Where to stay

Hotels near South Street Arts Centre

Live prices · free cancellation
Browse

Every hotel we cover in Reading Town Centre

24 with a full page

More things to do

All things to do

From the journal

All posts