The Smokehouse: A decade on South Street
The Smokehouse opened in 2016 in a disused office on South Street. A decade later it has put on 838 gigs, supported over 2,500 bands, and become one of the most important rooms in Ipswich. This September, it turns ten years old
Tucked off Norwich Road, there is South Street.
A cosy little back road - and arguably, one of the most colourful streets in the area.
The Smokehouse is easy to miss from the outside. There is no flashy signage. No queue snaking round the block on a random Tuesday. However, step inside on a gig night and it's immediately clear why people have kept coming back for ten years - a room small enough that every set feels intimate, a venue run largely by volunteers, and a place with a foundation of passion.
It opened in 2016, converted from empty office space, and gave Ipswich something it didn't quite have before: a dedicated 70-capacity room built purely for live music. In the decade since, it has quietly become a cornerstone of the town's grassroots music scene — hosting artists from across the country, giving local musicians a stage to start from, and training a generation of volunteers and promoters who have gone on to build their own nights and followings.
This month, it turns ten. And it's celebrating in a way that feels right for a venue that has always been about community.
"The spirit of the venue has continued to develop over the years and it has become a cornerstone on the grassroots music scene." — Joe Bailey, CEO, Brighten The Corners
This year's celebrations carry an extra layer of significance. The University of Suffolk — which gained independent university status in the same year The Smokehouse opened its doors — is marking its own tenth anniversary in 2026, and the two organisations are celebrating together.
Both organisations in Ipswich, rooted and invested invested in what the town's creative scene becomes, and both have spent a decade proving they mean it.
What's On This Month
Smokehouse 10 runs throughout September with a programme spanning hip hop, alternative, emo, soul and indie. The month closes with a birthday party on the 26th — live music, DJs and street food.
- Fri 4 Sept - JayaHadADream, Kelci and Gen We — presented by Brighten The Corners
- Sat 12 - SeptLoome, I.Am.Afiya and Oscar November — presented by Baker's Dozen Radio Show
- Fri 18 Sept - Doll Face, Milvain and Yarrow — presented by Tune Up (youth project showcase)
- Sat 19 Sept - Return of the Boom Bap with Dylan Jay, Jimmy Green and JAL
- Fri 25 Sept - Mountain Peaks, Midweek and Buggery Act — presented by Offbeat Promotions
- Sat 26 Sept - The Smokehouse 10 Birthday Party — live music, DJs and street food. Line-up to be announced.
