Sub89
Sub89, Reading, hosts 2 upcoming events between 26 Nov 2026 and 13 May 2027, with tickets from £44.68. General admission from £56.66.
📅 Upcoming Shows & Schedule
Across November 2026 – May 2027, Sub89 hosts 2 scheduled performances. Featured headliners include Red Richardson and UK Subs. Tickets currently start from £44.68.
📍 Area & Accommodation
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Upcoming Events at Sub89
How much are tickets at Sub89?
The lowest price each part of the house has been listed at across 2 upcoming dates. Seats are sold by individual block, so a specific date may differ.
| Where you sit | Tickets from | Dates listed |
|---|---|---|
| General admission | £56.66 | 2 |
What time do doors open at Sub89?
The main entrance is clearly signposted on Friar Street. Queues typically form on the pavement directly outside the venue. Standard security procedures, including bag searches, are in place upon entry.
Most upcoming dates start at 18:30 (1 of 2 listed dates); each event page carries its own start time.
Door times vary by event — check your ticket or the venue's own website on the day.
About Sub89: Layout, History & Architecture
Sub89 occupies the premises of the former ABC Cinema, a purpose-built Art Deco picture house that first opened its doors in 1937. As such, the architectural character of the exterior on Friar Street retains some of its original cinematic grandeur, albeit adapted for modern venue use. The interior, however, has been significantly reconfigured to function as a live music and club space. The primary performance area is a large, flat standing floor, capable of accommodating approximately 650 patrons, converting the original cinema stalls into an open-plan auditorium.
The room’s design, typical of a converted cinema, means that sightlines from the main floor are generally unobstructed towards the stage, positioned where the screen once resided. There are no tiered balconies for live events, ensuring a unified standing experience. Acoustically, the high ceilings and largely concrete construction, inherent to its cinematic heritage, can lend a somewhat lively, reverberant character to the space. Consequently, the venue relies heavily on its installed sound reinforcement system to manage and shape the audio, providing clarity and impact within the expansive hall.
The Live Experience & Current Schedule
Entry to the venue is directly from Friar Street, leading into a compact foyer area with access to the main performance hall. Patrons typically find one or more bars operational within the main auditorium or adjacent antechambers, catering to the standing crowd. The atmosphere inside can vary significantly depending on the event type, ranging from energetic and tightly packed for popular concerts to more relaxed for club nights or niche performances. The open floor plan encourages direct engagement with the stage. With 2 live performances scheduled, upcoming entry prices start from £44.68. The next confirmed event on the calendar is Red Richardson on 26th November 2026.