Exeter's only alternative night out (Cavern (Exeter))

Member Name: witneyite

Product:	Cavern (Exeter)
Date:	21/08/08 (17 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good for new bands or if you don't like the underage teenyboppers of Arena

Disadvantages: The toilets suck. Really really suck.

The Cavern is an interesting place. I am never entirely excited about a venue when you go into the (fairly skanky it must be said) toilets and they have that hideous blue lighting designed to stop people from seeing their veins so they can't shoot up. Frankly it's offputting.

That being said, the toilets are the worst feature of an otherwise passable venue (seriously, steer clear of the toilets though). The bar is pretty damn cheap, and being in Exeter that's something to be celebrated. The bar staff are also generally polite, friendly and efficient, which again in Exeter is not something to be steered at. The doorstaff are also friendly and queuing rarely seems to be a problem.

As a live venue it has its limitations. Clearly it is essentially a cavern; it's underground with low ceilings and you are in a fairly confined space. This is an advantage at small intimate gigs, but less so with crowds all thrashing up and down as there's a lot of wall to get thrashed into. They do however have a great mix of new bands, bigger rock/indie stuff and alternative stuff that you just can't find pretty much anywhere else in Exeter, whether it be live or by virtue of CDs.

So basically the place is cheap and cheerful but if you are into something other than the mainstream, it's pretty much your only bet.

NB Little tip for you: don't ask the DJ to play 'Are You Gonna Be My Girl'. He won't. Even if you ask him all night. Not that that's ever happened to me of course...

Summary: Don't go there expecting a swish night out and you won't be disapppointed.