Some things to consider. What constitutes a venue? Somewhere for a performance of music, theatre or the arts. Is it a paid event or a free event? Frequency of use? Open to all? Does a private party count? Decline of pubs. Rise of purpose built facilities. Does a DJ playing tunes at a bar or restaurant count. Might do, might not. Are we talking about just live performances of musicians etc? and by Nottingham do we mean strictly the city boundary. No Arnold, Carlton, Beeston and West Bridgford etc.

Venues of Nottingham, 2024. Let’s start with a list (maybe incomplete) of Nottingham venues as they stand in 2024.

The Arena, Royal Concert Hall, Theatre Royal.
Rock City, Beta (Rock City), The Black Cherry Lounge (Rock City).
Rescue Rooms, Red Room (Rescue Rooms), Bar (Rescue Rooms), Stealth.
Bodega (Upstairs and Downstairs), Metronome, The Level (Trent Uni), Rough Trade, Old Bus Depot, JT Soar, Old Cold Store, Saltbox

Playhouse
The Contemporary
Nottingham University, Djanogly Recital Hall
Albert Hall
Old Angel (Upstairs and Downstairs)
The Big Shed, Trent Navigation
Billy Bootleggers
Jam Cafe
31K
The Carousel
Peggy’s Skylight
The National Justice Museum
The Tavern, Annies Burger Shack
Stuck On A Name Studios
Bonnington Gallery, Trent Uni
Stansfield School, Ilkeston Road (I think)

Some gigs and “Open Mic” nights in pubs:

Sumac Centre
Fox and Grapes
Old Malt Cross
The Sal
Tap & Tumbler
The Lion
Running Horse
Lincolnshire Poacher
Golden Fleece
Bread and Bitter
Raglan Road Irish Bar
Revolucion de Cuba
Foremans Bar
The Embankment
Navigation
Whistle and Flute
lots more etc etc

Outside the city boundary
Bonnington Theatre in Arnold etc

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Then there are those old venues now closed and gone.

The most recent to close was The Chameleon early in 2024.