The Sugar Mill

As a teenager, it’s an amazing place to go for music and a good time with my mates. Some of the groups there are really famous so it’s a great place to go to listen to amazing live music, the drinks are reasonably cheap (depending on how famous the people you see are). The only think I can say bad is that it is rather cramped when there is a lot of people there, and your feet get trodden on a lot and you lose your shoes ocassionaly, but you need to be dressed for gigs ! The only other thing is the beer and red bull that gets tipped on the floor, making it really sticky sometimes, but great place none the less !

great night out.
music is rock/​heavy metal.
loads of bands and the staff are freindly.
bar is reasonable.

Good alternative scene bar/​club — loads of local bands and the occasional big acts. Staff are friendly helpful and bar is reasonably priced although could have a better choice as it is rather limited. The Sugar Mill’s small interior makes for great sound acoustics too. The balcony area is a nice touch for when you don’t want to be in the middle of the mosh pit/​stage area although sometimes during quieter nights they shut this area off which is annoying. Could definitely do with more seating areas, chairs are a rarity, not everyone can stand/​dance all night.

Tickets are cheap to see bands, and extremely cheap for the club nights because once you’re in the variation of music in each room means there inst really a need to leave!
Drinks are cheap and although the bar can seem a little slow at times, your order is almost always right.
The décor is very ‘alternative’, but this adds to the feel and individuality of the place.
Makes for a unique night out because there are no places like it in Hanley.
The stage is very central, and the sound always seems good regardless on the music type. Lighting is never very exciting, but for a good night out and a variety of music if you’re not into pop, then you’d be hard pushed to find a better night out.

good place to go even if you dont like the music, the atmosphere is fantastic. the price to get in and for dirnks isnt too bad but ID is definately required especially on nights where there is live music. when there is a band on there is a nice intimate feel with the band, not particularly a place to go if you want to go clubbing. the staff are helpful polite and nice. the layout is based on the idea of a band performing but the size of the venue isnt too big so it doesnt matter where you stand your still quite close to the heart of the music, not ideal to go on a night with a band if your claustophobic or want to majorly avoid ‘mosh pits’

The last time I went to the sugar mill was to see ‘black kids’.
It wasnt expensive (around a tenner) for a ticket, and the drinks were cheap enough too.
I quite like the layout, basically a room with a stage at the front, a bar to the right, toilets to the back. Theres a stair case near the toilets which leads you onto a balcony that surrounds the whole room — brilliant for seeing bands! Its quite a small place so at gigs no matter where abouts you stand you should get a pretty decent view (unless if your short like me) I wore heels with the idea that a few extra inches would help me to see over people. but then people started moshing and I realised I’d chosen the worst shoes in the world for the night!
It was still fun. But ladies — dont wear heels!!! (guys dont wear them either) :P

I have been here numerous times over the years despite not being a particular fan of most of the music. I usually went for the atmosphere which I have to say is ace even though slightly daunting when loads of morbid looking people are being thrown into each other each to their own eh? The prices for drinks used to be value for money and their speciality is newcastle brown: P It does offer a wide range of music for those not a major fan of metal or heavy rock — some nights are dedicated to a particular genre. I have also attended when some high profile bands have played and the events were mangaged very well and safety was taken into consideration throughout the night. Staff are very helpful and pleasant and represent the atmosphere they work in very well. Obviously not for all but good for a different night out if you just don’t feel like clubbing.