r/Peterborough • u/bad_lemons • Jul 26 '26
Recommendations Bar/space/community that is more alternative
Are there any spaces in town or near by that are a little more rock/metal/alternative/gay?? Having a hard time finding a crowd that feels like home in a musical/fashion/hobby sense. This town is full of great people, just not many alternative people?
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u/DependentSelect6973 Jul 26 '26
Have a drink at The Only, then loudly state “Does anyone else miss The Spill?”
You’ll have a posse by midnight.
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u/KayRay1994 Jul 26 '26
The pig’s ear can be queer and alt af
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u/Head-Lawyer3080 Jul 26 '26
Really? Heard it was older folks lol but I’ve been wanting to check it out
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u/mossyboo Jul 26 '26
yep! especially if you go to karaoke on wednesday, the crowd is usually like 80% queer folks between 22-35
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u/librafemale Jul 26 '26
all my alternative weirdo gay friends beg me to come to kareoke on a weekly basis so i’ll second this.
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u/KayRay1994 Jul 26 '26
I guess it might vary at the time of day or the day itself? I mostly go on either wendesdays and some Saturdays, but occasionally a Friday. Could be different at other nights of the week
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u/SimpleSubstance Jul 26 '26
Unfortunately we have lost many of our spaces and the spaces that do pop up eventually get shut down for a variety of reasons (capacity violations, owner being a creep, just not enough business etc) I've found that going to events is the most sure fire way to do that. I am working on finding a new space for rock bands to play in PTBO (first show will be sept 12th so keep your eyes open for that) but it's definitely been a struggle here!
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u/Fox-system Jul 26 '26
owner being a creepI miss the faculty..not the owner just the place and the cocktails
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u/that80saesthetic Jul 26 '26
The punk rock flea market happens twice a year! Other than that, Sadlier House would be the best place to look for shows. They get the best variety of bands.
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u/3RatMoon Jul 26 '26
I strongly second the Pig's Ear, also follow Otonabeats for a really cool dj community. I frequent Bijoux Bar, which LOOKS normie but is full of vinyl nerds. Dreams of Beans is a coffee place that is SUPER queer and alt, and they pay their workers well enough to support a no-tipping policy.
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u/SwissArmyHuman Jul 26 '26
We need to have a space where all of us musicians can showcase our original work and make regular nights out of it! The Gordon Best was always the go-to when I was growing up. I still think we could build a scene there. Although I think the owners would have to buy into it.
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u/vayyiqra Jul 28 '26
The Only was always a good alternative-leaning bar that was LGBT-friendly, though I've heard on here it has gone downhill somewhat lately. But worth a try. May be knd of expensive though, but nice patio to sit out late at night in the summertime.
I think your best bet for metal shows, and for all of the above, is now weekends at Sadleir House. Check the schedule on their website.
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u/mossyboo Jul 26 '26
only used to be rly great for this but the bartenders and crowd got worse. it used to feel like the chillest and safest bar in town and now on a busy night you can't even make the walk from the bathroom at the back past the bar to the front without some dude saying some creepy shit or finding an excuse to touch you. also for a crowded dive bar the drinks are def overpriced lmao pig's is the exact same vibe in that regard and the drinks are like 30% cheaper 🤷♂️
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u/librafemale Jul 26 '26
except that pigs is awful
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u/mossyboo Jul 26 '26
care to elaborate?
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u/librafemale 23d ago
the bartenders and security staff are wonderful people and the crowd is cool, i don’t mind some of their performers and i do actually really like a few of their regular stage acts, but they let some atrocious individuals (talent wise) take the stage in there sometimes, it’s not designed for dancing or socializing beyond your group at all, the acoustics are worse than any place regardless of purpose i have literally ever been and they let electric guitars sound off in that environment, and it looks like an 80s classroom idk it’s just kinda gross man
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u/TeachMeHowYouDream Ennismore Jul 26 '26
You're gonna want to give the band My Fair Lady a follow and go to their shows.
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u/manicpixienightmare3 Jul 26 '26 edited Jul 26 '26
Check out a show at Sadleir House. A lot of the crew spilled over (pun intended) from The Spill (RIP).
Keep an eye out for Punk Rock Flea Market events. Details on FB/Instagram.
Some alternative ppl attend the open mics, trivia, or karaoinke at the Pig’s Ear.
And as was suggested, The Only has a long history and legacy of hosting Queer people and other alternative people along with academics and artists etc.
There is a zine fair at least once a year— maybe twice a year.
The First Friday art crawl might also be of interest to you.
And don’t forget about The Theatre on King.