Ipswich music scene was bustling at these five venues in years gone by, but many of the buildings have different uses now.

Here's five former favourites and what the buildings are used for in 2022.

Royal Oak

Ipswich Star: The Royal Oak in Felixstowe Road, pictured in 2005The Royal Oak in Felixstowe Road, pictured in 2005 (Image: Archant)

The Royal Oak pub in Felixstowe had a long history of live music performances but closed in January 2014.

Ipswich Star: The Royal Oak is now used by Emmaus Suffolk to support the homelessThe Royal Oak is now used by Emmaus Suffolk to support the homeless (Image: CHARLOTTE BOND)

It's since been given a fresh lease of life as a café and is now occupied by Emmaus Suffolk, which uses it to support the charity's work with the homeless.

Giles Tavern

Ipswich Star: The Giles Tavern in Ipswich, one of the town's lost music venuesThe Giles Tavern in Ipswich, one of the town's lost music venues (Image: Archant)

The Giles Tavern in Queen Street had many different names over the years, including Harvey's restaurant, but it was once a music venue.

The building has recently been branded with Honey + Harvey branding as it prepares to reopen as a coffee shop.

Zest

Ipswich Star: Zest closed down after the murder of Jimoh Plunkett in December 2006Zest closed down after the murder of Jimoh Plunkett in December 2006 (Image: Archant)

Located in one of Ipswich's most recognisable buildings, Zest closed down in controversy after the December 2006 shooting of Jimoh Blunkett.

The Maltings, as the building in Princes Street is known, has since been revamped into office blocks.

Ipswich Star: The Maltings in Ipswich is used as office blocksThe Maltings in Ipswich is used as office blocks (Image: RACHEL EDGE)

First Floor Club

Ipswich Star: The Barron Knights at the First Floor Club in January 1970The Barron Knights at the First Floor Club in January 1970 (Image: Archant)

For decades from the mid-1960s, the First Floor Club in Tacket Street was the only late night venue in the centre of Ipswich.

These days it is The Bloom Lounge, a bar selling brunch, coffee, cakes, juices and cocktails.

Ipswich Star: The Bloom Lounge in Tacket Street, in the former First Floor ClubThe Bloom Lounge in Tacket Street, in the former First Floor Club (Image: Archant)

Pump & Grind

Ipswich Star: The former Pump & Grind pub on the corner of Northgate Street closed in 2016The former Pump & Grind pub on the corner of Northgate Street closed in 2016 (Image: Archant)

The Pump & Grind pub, popular with music fans, closed in 2016, despite protests and a petition launched by the Ipswich community.

It has remained shut ever since, although agents said in 2020 there was interest in reopening the venue.