FAQ’s – Frequently Asked Questions

We mainly use promoters to organise our nights, they get bands together, organise advertising, ticketing, man the door and try to make sure everyone is paid!
We hire the venue to them and supply a sound tec as needed plus advertise the gig on this site, social media sites, through news feeds to many other sites, and our Gig Guide program distributed around the city.

The first thing you should do is check out our links section for contact details of our regular promoters as well as our Upcoming Events calendar for possible dates needing a support band.
You may also like to check out Cambridgebands.com and WereAllNeighbours for useful leads and resources.

Fancy running your own night?  Check out the What does it cost, age policy and the other FAQ’s in this section, look for a free date in the calendar then contact us on 01223 357268
Please don’t send demo’s to the pub as we simply do not have the time to listen to them.

Dogs welcome on leads in the pub bars and beer garden, but not inside the venue during a live event due to the volume and risk of being trampled.
(With the exception of service dogs).

No. Sorry, sold out means sold out.
You might like to try posting on the artists/promoters or our social media to see if someone is wanting to sell a ticket.

We don’t keep a reserve or wait list.

Doors are usually 7.30pm unless otherwise specified.

We have one gender neutral toilet available in the small bar.
There are separate male and female toilets available in the small and main bars.

Please note, we do not have an accessible toilet, though there is one nearby at Student Castle.
See our Access Info pages for details.

Advance tickets for gigs can be purchased either from the promoter, a third-party ticketing platform or from the Portland website Store.
Check the event listings under ‘What’s On’ and follow the Tickets link if available to purchase from the provided ticketing partner.

Any questions or inquiries about tickets purchased from sources other than The Portland Arms website must be directed to them.

See Ticket refund policy for details on our returns or refund policy.

Once purchased, tickets cannot be refunded unless the event is cancelled, or moved to another date. Venues and talent are also subject to change. If the event has been cancelled or postponed, you will be entitled to a face value refund. All fees (booking, service, transaction, processing, shipping, fulfillment) are non-refundable.

It is the customer’s responsibility to check whether the event is going ahead on the scheduled date, time and venue. The Portland cannot guarantee that Promoter/Producer will inform the customer of any changes to the event date, time, venue, or talent.

Refunds for cancelled events are usually automatic. For postponed events you will be contacted with the new date as soon as possible and your ticket will be valid for that new date. If you cannot make it to the new date you may be able to request a refund but at the discretion of the promoter.
In the case that an event is cancelled or postponed, tickets purchased at a third-party retail outlet must be refunded at the retail outlet.

Refund Process – In order to initiate a refund request, a customer should check their order confirmation to determine the vendor and then contact that vendor directly as set forth in their applicable refund policy. For tickets sold via The Portland store you can contact post@theportlandarms.co.uk to request a refund.

TicketSwap is our official resale partner!
If for some reason you aren’t able to attend an event, please use TicketSwap to sell your ticket to another excited fan! TicketSwap is a safe and easy service for fans to buy and sell tickets from each other, no more dodgy facebook posts!

The Portland is an over 18’s venue unless otherwise stated for a particular event
Under 18’s are permitted entry to gigs only when accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Entry to the pub for accompanied under 18’s is allowed until 9pm.

The Portland Arms is an inclusive venue. We welcome deaf and disabled customers to the pub and have step free access to the venue.

See our Access Info pages for full details or you can download a copy from here: http://theportlandarms.co.uk/UserFiles/Venue_Access_Info.doc

The Portland Arms offer PA tickets at no additional cost to a Deaf or disabled person who requires support to attend a gig. If you require a PA ticket, first purchase a regular ticket from our box office store and then GET IN TOUCH with us with your order number and name of the carer and we can arrange for a companion ticket to be sent to them.

Monday & Tuesday
4.30pm – 11pm
(No kitchen service)

Wednesday
4.30pm – 11pm
Kitchen hours: 5pm – 9pm

Thursday
Midday – 11pm
Kitchen hours: 5pm – 9pm

Friday
Midday – Midnight
Kitchen hours: Midday – 2.30pm & 5pm – 9pm

Saturday
Midday – Midnight
Kitchen hours: 4pm – 9pm

Sunday
Midday – 11pm
Kitchen hours: 4pm – 9pm

Nearly all shows are standing unless it is a comedy or theatre style show or is mentioned as seated in the event description.

If you are unable to stand for long periods we can supply a stool or chair for you.
If you have other access requirements see our access policy pages for details on the venue and how to contact us: ACCESS INFO

The Portland does not have it’s own car park.

Load-in for performers is via the driveway and rear courtyard *NOT THROUGH THE PUB!* Vehicles can park on the driveway or at the front of the pub to unload but must be moved straight after.

Pay and display street parking is available on Milton Road and Chesterton Road, usually free after 5pm or at the Boathouse pub pay and display carpark or on adjacent side streets.

Alternatively some private spaces are available to hire locally by booking at the  website. Use discount code PORTLAND20 to get 20% off your booking.