BrightonBrighton Facilities

EXPLORE

WATERBEAR BRIGHTON FACILITIES

The Brighton campus is set in the heart of the city, allowing artists and musicians to embed themselves within the local music scene, creating maximum exposure and networking opportunities.

BRIGHTON CAMPUS AND FACILITIES

Our central Brighton campus includes Hanover House on Queen’s Road and two music venues. Students also have access to numerous partner venues and studios across the city.

Hanover House HQ

From September 2025, the addition of three new floors will expand Hanover House to include live performance rooms, recording studios, instrumental rooms, rehearsal suites, common rooms, Mac suites, mentoring rooms, and general-purpose teaching spaces. It will also feature a 1,000 sq. ft. recording studio, which will serve as the engine room of Hanover House. This studio will be fully equipped with both analogue and digital gear to support a wide range of recording needs.

Hanover House

WATERBEAR VENUE

This is WaterBear’s very own seafront music and club venue. Located right on the beach, this iconic venue was once one of Brighton’s most famous club venues. Now exclusively operated by WaterBear, it’s a great place for our musicians to socialise, with lots of events happening throughout the week. The Venue can also be booked by students for their own music projects, and there are regular opportunities for work there too.

WaterBear Venue

WATERBEAR MUSIC BAR

Located in Kemptown, this eclectic venue is known for its vibrant atmosphere and rich musical heritage. It has hosted renowned UK artists, including Amy Winehouse, The Kooks, and Chris Difford of Squeeze. Now operated by WaterBear, the music bar hosts a diverse range of gigs and events, featuring a dedicated live music basement and a ground-floor bar with an intimate performance space. WaterBear students benefit from access to the venue for classes, rehearsals, performances, and stagecraft development. There are also opportunities to work at the venue and use it as a space to socialise.

WaterBear Music Bar

VINTAGE AND MODERN GEAR

As a college run by professional musicians, we know everything about equipment and what kind of gear you need access to. Teaching spaces are fitted out with state-of-the-art digital A/V technology. You’ll also find classic vintage gear alongside modern musical equipment to give you the best of both worlds, for any music projects you wish to explore. You’ll also navigate different Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) such as Pro Tools, Ableton and Logic Pro. All WaterBear students take part in audio production classes to expand their technical knowledge and compositional skills and to investigate different methods of recording.

PARTNER STUDIOS AND VENUES

We work with amazing partner studios and venues across the city, giving students access to free bookable rehearsal and recording spaces, plus regular opportunities to perform live. Students are encouraged to run their own gigs, tours, and events, gaining real experience, building networks, and becoming part of the city’s vibrant music scene. See below for details of our partners.

Songwriting and Performance spaces

Our songwriting and performance spaces have been designed as multi-functional, creative spaces tailor-made to support high-quality musical output. Think masterclasses, performance workshops, and loads of specialist activities for songwriters, vocalists, artists, and bands. You’ll be able to showcase your music while building confidence in these supportive, creative environments. The spaces are great for collaboration and impromptu lunchtime live performances.

SPACES FOR LEARNING AND CREATION

From performance rooms, recording studios, Mac suites, instrumental rooms, rehearsal suites, and hangout spaces, we have everything you need.

LIVE PERFORMANCE

REHEARSAL SPACES

RECORDING STUDIOS

INSTRUMENTAL ROOMS

MAC SUITES

HANG OUT SPACES

PARTNER VENUES AND STUDIOS

In addition to the college buildings, you’ll regularly work in other professional music venues, studios, and spaces across the city. This is a great way to grow your network and be working with people who are known and busy in the local scene.

BRIGHTON ELECTRIC

Brighton Electric is one of Brighton’s foremost recording and rehearsal facilities. It houses 17 practice rooms, 2 high-end recording studios and a live music venue space. There are also several mix studios and a mastering suite, storage facilities, shop, café and licensed bar. Brighton Electric is frequented by hundreds of bands and artists at all levels. It’s a vibrant hub for meeting other creatives active in Brighton’s busy music scene. WaterBear students have regular classes scheduled in the Brighton Electric spaces.

BRIGHTON ELECTRIC

SMALL POND

Small Pond rehearsal and recording studio complex, based in the centre of town, is a great musician’s ‘hang’ and a focal part of the Brighton music scene. There are 8 rehearsal rooms, free to book for all WaterBear students. Small Pond is stocked with great vintage gear, including the recording studio, complete with Neve console, amps, and quality analogue outboard gear. The recording studio can also be booked for free by WaterBear students.

SMALL POND

ALPHABET

Alphabet is an audio-led & HiFi venue in the heart of Brighton. Formally a former Gothic Chapel, it is now a bohemian theatre containing a beautiful art deco bar and a labyrinth of corridors. With full backline, we use the space for rehearsals, pre-production, live performance workshops and bass lessons.

ALPHABET

Please note: The use of outside venues is subject to change. We choose venues based on the positive impact we believe they will have on student experience and review the facilities we use on a regular basis, taking into account student feedback. If working with a particular venue is important to you, please contact the Programme Manager to discuss.