Five forgotten Ipswich music venues and what they are now
Zest was once one of the most popular music venues in Ipswich - Credit: Archant
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
The Royal Oak in Felixstowe Road, pictured in 2005 - Credit: Archant
The Royal Oak pub in Felixstowe had a long history of live music performances but closed in January 2014.
The Royal Oak is now used by Emmaus Suffolk to support the homeless - Credit: 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
The Giles Tavern in Ipswich, one of the town's lost music venues - Credit: 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.
Signage for the new Honey + Harvey which is set to open in Queen Street, Ipswich - Credit: Charlotte Bond
Zest
Zest closed down after the murder of Jimoh Plunkett in December 2006 - Credit: Archant
Located in one of Ipswich's most recognisable buildings, Zest closed down in controversy after the December 2006 shooting of Jimoh Blunkett.
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The Maltings, as the building in Princes Street is known, has since been revamped into office blocks.
The Maltings in Ipswich is used as office blocks - Credit: Rachel Edge
First Floor Club
The Barron Knights at the First Floor Club in January 1970 - Credit: 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.
The Bloom Lounge in Tacket Street, in the former First Floor Club - Credit: Neil Perry
Pump & Grind
The former Pump & Grind pub on the corner of Northgate Street closed in 2016 - Credit: 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.
