The Old Fire Station in Carlisle

Good venue and Bands, nice proprietors, however last time my friend and I attended their was a rather unnecessarily aggressive female Security person, not with my group , but my friend and I both commented wow she's a bit OTT

What a great night, staff were excellent.

A great wee venue with some big names without all the queuing and hassle of bigger venues. The bar is never more than 50 ft away either.

Great space and acoustics, with such a variety of acts. Staff friendly and drinks a reasonable price. A wee oasis of a venue.

I’m writing this review from the perspective of the band that plays here. We gig twice every weekend, all over the UK in Europe. We’ve just done our second date at the fire station from the moment we arrive. Everything was made easy for us. It’s not like that everywhere we go as a result we take with us a very professional system, all done so that we can set up as easier as we can. The old fire station has exactly the same attitude. The owner, will, is one of the most professional men I’ve ever met staff are exceptionally friendly. Then there’s the engineers, who are always friendly knowledgeable extremely easy to get on with and work with what you’ve sent them, tuning the system for the gig. Backstage is spacious comfortable and unlike many places is geared towards letting the band relax get everything sorted out they need to before they go on stage. They even had towels for artists something major chains don’t have. It’s a straight up five star review.

Went to see One Night in Nashville with my daughter last night and all the staff were really friendly and helpful- I can't stand for performances and they gladly arranged a stool for me to perch on for the evening in the event. The group were amazingly talented and played all our favourite country songs to the point where we were hoarse with singing along when we left. It was a wonderful evening and I can't wait for ONIN to return.

Great venue for live music. The sound is always spot on, there are always plenty of bar staff, prices are fair. Parking across the road (payment required). Every band that plays always says the staff at the venue are great.

Great afternoon at early doors disco. Drinks a bit pricey though.

Absolutely LOVED seeing Electric Six at The Old Fire Station. Always a great venue, and it was the perfect place for the band!

I have been here a couple of times now. It's a great venue, good size, plenty of toilets, a good bar, friendly staff, generally a great live music venue that i enjoy going to.

Excellent venue great entertainment good choice of drinks

Watched Skerryvor and loved every second.. the venue is easy accessible and hassle free.. we all had a great night.

Good space, clean toilets well stock friendly bar. Free parking near by

Having recently moved to Carlisle tonight was my first visit to the OFS, but it definitely won't be the last! What a cracking little venue, great sound system, a really convenient layout, and generally an excellent vibe. Tonight I had the pleasure of seeing The Zipheads (whom many years ago played a gig in a dodgy pub near me down South under a different name, and a car show if I remember rightly) supporting Hayseed Dixie. Both were good fun, with stacks of energy and stage presence, and I suspect The Zipheads will have gained a fair few new fans after tonight. I have seen a lot worse play far bigger sets and carry it off, I wouldn't be surprised if 2025 saw them taking off a bit if they can keep the momentum. Anyway, back to the OFS, it really is a cracker of a venue with super friendly staff, well worth supporting!

Love attending tofs it's not too big and a great relaxed atmosphere. Bar staff are always friendly prices are good too. We have attended a lot of gigs here and have never been disappointed.

Great night with Johnny Hates Jazz, well done everyone

Very good performance by the Upbeat Beatles. Friendly staff and well organised. Not a fan of standing for the entire time, but I understand the capacity issues for a small venue.

Friendly, helpful staff. Great atmosphere

Nice venue. Friendly bar staff. Went to see the Vintage Explosion. They were excellent and went really down well with the enthusiastic and appreciative crowd. The only thing that spoiled the night was a totally inappropriate bouncer with a terrible attitude. He seemed overly keen to make his presence know and seemed to be looking for trouble that wasn't there. It was almost as if he wanted to make trouble. His attitude was verging on aggressive with a crowd of mostly mature females trying to enjoy themselves. Totally inappropriate. The management need to have a look at this. A friendly steward was all that was required, not a "bouncer".

Great night went to watch Vintage Explosion

Cumberland's best live music/comedy venue.

Fantastic venue for a massively wide range of events. A real asset. Staff are always great too.

Fantastic venue that hosts incredible events , Security and bar staff are polite and friendly . Toilets are spotlessly clean which is a bonus . Love this place ❤️

Fantastic, didn't know what to expect but it's cool 🖖

Great venue , superb staff , ample parking outside the venue and a great bar inside x

First time attending a gig here. Good size, good selection of drinks. Nothing bad about the place tbh

Brilliant larl venue, been there a few times and loved it everytime 🤘

Great place for live music! Really enjoyed the uk Rock show!

Easy to get to, not being fat from the high street. Decent pint, close toilets and friendly staff. Always enjoy a gig here.

Tom meighan was great Really made the effort Impressed!

Had a great night here. Hospitality and prices very good. Intimate venue with good sound and lighting. Clearly managed well. Great bar staff.

Great meeting space for corporate events as well as brilliant entertainment venue.

Superb venue. Really reasonable priced drinks and the staff were all fast, efficient and very welcoming.

Great venue for live music, sound was great, there's lots of great events on here

Great concert,great service at the bar ,clean toilets.like this place

Great night seeing Fleetwood Bac. Staff here wonderful and friendly as always..brilliant venue.

Watched a jam tribute act good night

Fantastic venue ,it's nice to see live music and other acts just what carlisle need keep it up your doing a fantastic job

Great night out for an alternative good tribute bands reasonably priced

Brilliant Staff and service at the venue

great venue, great staff, always has a great line up. went to see the comedy club. Have booked up again .

Lovely venue for various concerts and events. Very efficient staff. Nice place all round x

Great venue. Staff very friendly.

The Old Fire Station is a fabulous music venue in the heart of Carlisle with friendly welcoming staff, a great atmosphere, amazing sound and easy to the city centre and lots of car parking close by. Tickets sell out fast for the gigs, but by signing up to the venue’s newsletter you get advanced news of who’s on. Highly recommended.

Good balanced sound and a decent venue, but most music concerts seem to be standing only. And as 2 hours plus can be quite uncomfortable on the feet/back, check if the show you want to see is seated or not.

Cracking venue with nice facilities & decent bar to complement the program of excellent acts & events

Good place for live music, friendly staff and mostly clean. I've been there a few times now and still think the acoustics could be better for the live bands.

Very friendly and helpful staff. Great venue.

Handy location for a top night out! Coldplay were excellent! The bar staff were very helpful and there was a cloakroom for your coat. Had already enjoyed a Bonjovi tribute and we are back again for an ABBA night! Can't wait!

Great place, saw Skippinish here, atmosphere was amazing, all the staff friendly and helpful

Never been before and was pleasantly surprised how good it was. Will definitely be back

Great place , handy parking opposite. Beer well priced, venue clean , good staff . Made us feel very welcome, especially security 👍👍

Brilliant venue. Looking forward to going again.

This was our 1st visit to the Old Fire Station . We went to the Loco Bingo night. It's safe to say we had a fabulous night. The venue itself is great, the drinks are great value for money and everyone was very helpful and seemed to be happy to be working there which is a bonus. Fabulous place we will absolutely be back .

Another quality evening in a fantastic venue. Never had a bad night here, fantastic staff.

Excellent night out at a great venue hosting a fantastic band.

Excellent gem in Carlisle for entertainment.

Fantastic place, drink OK price wise also

Brilliant music venue. Been here loads of times and no complaints 👍👍👍

Great venue, amazing staff, and a more personal experience. Love coming to this place. I'm just sad some of the acts I want to come and see are sold out so fast. Snooze, you lose. My loss Ofs gain

Great place and for a first time visit we were made very welcome. Good atmosphere and very cosy. Gets pretty hot inside when everyone is in so leave your coat off 😁 Drinks very reasonable and clean toilets. Good size smoking/vaping area outside

Wonderful arts venue m, nice bar and good position in Carlisle Town centre.

Brilliant venue. Very reasonably priced. Really good shows too. 👌

Friendly, small venue with a great bar and a warm vibe, it feels welcoming and personal and light-years away from the larger and more impersonal offerings. Excellent carparking right outside the door.

Fantastic venue, great sound and quick bar service. The acts are really close and the small venue means a great atmosphere.

Great place to watch a band. Friendly staff at the entrance. Good space for standing to watch.

Old fire station was great it was our first time there for some friends of ours who's daughter was having there wedding evening there .

Good atmosphere very pleasant helpful volunteers, great selection of beers. Great venue with easy parking.

Very nice venue. Enjoyed a Flock of Seagulls.

Brilliant venue for gigs and comedy shows , cracking staff and good prices

Nicely organised, good size venue, reasonable drink prices, staff are fantastic, super helpful and friendly. Toilets could be updated but on the whole clean and tidy.

Very tidy, spacious and drinks very reasonably priced

Such friendly staff. A brilliant atmosphere. Thank you 😊

Soul night was the best fun had in ages - great music and venue spot on

Great venue with nice friendy staff

Amazing venue, very friendly, well organised staff. Always have a great night.

Great atmosphere We were really annoyed that we weren't told in advance the lead singer for AC/DC cover band was a woman!!!! Wouldn't have minded so much at a bike rally but to pay to see a favourite band ruined was no fun

Great staff, Good bar, lovely ambience and a terrific gig.

Loved The Chameleons gig last night. Only my second visit to the OFS despite living only 12 miles away. With so many tempting gigs it's where to stop in the coming months, as cannot afford them all. Keep up the great work...

Great venue, bar staff friendly relaxed atmosphere. Came to see Martin Kemp- very disappointed that he only came on at 10:30, a very long wait for everyone, especially as the advertised time was 7:30. People had left, fed up of waiting for him. Excellent when he did finally get on.

Great place for a concert, back again shortly for another concert.

Nice venue. Enjoyed the evening

Loved my night here seeing Skerryvore. 7 minute walk from town centre. Will defo be back again for more bands 😜😜🍺🍺

Great venue, nice people a great evening.

Superb venue and Gary Delaney was outstanding

Brilliant time listening to the Zombies. Great place the OFS.

Staff friendly felt a bit claustrophobic once the doors were closed for the event, it was very warm & didn't seem to have air con or ventilation.

Amazing place, amazing tattoo convention!

Fabulous Place - Highly Recommend a Visit!

Brilliant weekend at the tattoo festival there... All staff and management very helpful

The Northlakes Tattoo show is a great show , we look forward to going every year , brilliant fun , see you guys next year

Great variety of music and comedy. Fun place for a good night out.

Ideal place to go lovely and clean and great atmosphere

Full 5* credit to the staff at The Old Fire Station. My wife and I attended an event 17th March.Both on crutches. ( long story 😀 ) The staff were so courteous and accommodating from start to finish. They made an awkward night into a most enjoyable one thanks again. We will be back. Minus the crutches 😀

Great night watching the Bob Marley experience. Would highly recommend

Fab venue, great drinks offers and very friendly staff.

Brilliant venue in the heart of Carlisle, the staff are fantastic and add to the feel good vibes. Always a varied taste in music, comedy etc so you don't have to wait long for an act you love. The bad bit. The venue doesn't allow vaping so you are forced outside into a very small smoking area surrounded by people smoking cigarettes. Rival venues I go to allow vaping inside so you don't have to miss any of the show, this seams a very harsh decision by the Old fire station and I am always disappointed by their silly rule.

An excellent venue for live music.

Great venue , clean toilets, big bar, good sound and easy to get too

Best live music venue in the area. Friendly bar and door staff, and the lovely couple who run the cloakroom 😊 can't fault it!