sofar sounds

Creating space where music and arts matter. Sofar brings artists and audiences together through unique live music experiences in surprising spaces.

Join Sofar Sounds and experience live music in memorable spaces

Intimate shows

Connect with local artists, up close and personal, at every show.

Unexpected venues

From iconic city landmarks to private backyards, enjoy live experiences in memorable spaces.

Limitless vibes

Choose from laid-back to feel-good, high energy to laugh-out-loud funny - and everything in between.

Example video.

JAZZBOPS: Alex Western-King

Join us for our monthly lunchtime jazz concert made especially for grown-ups and their little ones (ages 0-4) - a jazz club designed with grown-ups in mind.

Park up your buggies or scooters and get ready for a mid-week lunchtime concert featuring some of the UK's best Jazz musicians.

SEPTEMBER LINE-UP: Alex Western-King

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB: Empirical
feat. Jonny Mansfield

Join the multi award-winning UK jazz ensemble Empirical for a performance of their album Wonder is the Beginning, released on Whirlwind Recordings in 2024. 

Having started their journey in 2007, Empirical make a triumphant return, re-taking their rightful place at the centre of the UK scene, with their first full-length release since 2016.

Wonder is the Beginning is a mature musical statement that shows the band’s fire is still undimmed and their commitment to maintaining the legacy while forging their own unique path is as strong as ever.

Empirical’s trademark combination of complex, thoughtful writing and spontaneous improvisation is enabled by the absolute trust that comes from years of collective music making, and is at the heart of what makes Empirical stand out consistently on the musical landscape.

The performance will feature Nathaniel Facey (alto sax), Tom Farmer (double bass), Shaney Forbes (drums) and Jonny Mansfield (vibraphone).

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB

Sponsored by Christopher Jones Wealth Management.

Join us on the third Thursday of every month* for an evening of Jazz, delicious food (bring your own / order in) and drinks a plenty in an intimate cabaret style setting.

In partnership with Winchester Jazz Festival and Alex Western-King we will host some of the UK’s best Jazz musicians on The Nutshell stage.

SUNDAY SESSIONS X WJF

NEW FOR 2025/2026

Spend your Sunday afternoon immersed in live music and conversation at Sunday Sessions x WJF. Hosted by award-winning saxophonist Alex Western-King, this new event blends performance with an open workshop, giving you first-hand insight into all things Jazz.

Be part of an open workshop with some of the UK’s renowned jazz musicians (line-up TBC), ask questions, watch live performance and maybe even try a few ideas yourself. Whether you’re a budding musician, curious about a career in music, or simply love discovering new sounds, come with friends or family and be inspired.

A jazz experience designed for the next generation. Live music made for young people aged 12+ who want to be a part of Winchester's cultural scene.

Bring Your Own Baby Comedy is the UK’s premier baby-friendly comedy club! The show features the funniest comedy stars from the circuit and TV. The events are all about you, the parents! But don’t worry – we also take great care of our younger guests.

We provide soft flooring, buggy parking and baby changing, so that your baby is happy and you can relax, have a drink and be entertained. If you need to whip out a bum (the babies please!) a boob or a bottle please feel free… and our comics won’t mind being heckled by our younger guests!

The show features two acts, plus a compere, and the whole show will last approx. 75 minutes.

Grown up comedy... babies welcome! Find out more, here.

THE NUTSHELL PRE LOVED SALE

EVENT DETAILS

SATURDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 2025

FREE ENTRY / DONATION

10AM-4PM

👈☝️Book Your Table!

Are you ready to re-fresh your wardrobe or home while making a positive impact on the planet?

Shopping second-hand is a powerful way to reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future.

By extending the lifecycle of clothing items and homeware you are directly helping to reduce the demand for new production and so decreasing resource consumption, energy usage, and waste. 

The Nutshell will be running a Pre Loved Sale as part of the Kings Walk Festival and Winchester Green Week.

Interested in selling? - £10 a table - limited availability. Purchase via the link above.

The Phantom of the Opera (1925) + Live Score by Minima

Beneath the sewers of the Paris Opera House dwells a masked figure. He is the Phantom, a hideously disfigured composer whose dream is to turn chorus singer Christine into a diva. Lon Chaney, the “Man of a Thousand Faces”, dominates this classic adaptation of the 1910 novel. His ghastly make-up and outrageous performance made The Phantom of the Opera one of the great classics of American silent film.

This is the original film version of Phantom which inspired numerous remakes. It was a critical and commercial success upon release, as these press quotes from the time contest: an “ultra fantastic melodrama” (New York Times); “produced on a stupendous scale” (Moving Picture World); “probably the greatest inducement to nightmare that has yet been screened” (Variety)

Minima have specialised in live accompaniment to screenings of silent films since 2006. Their electrifying original score for The Phantom of the Opera captures the horror of the story, but also finds pathos, romance and humour. Drums, bass, guitar and cello strike up a thrilling relationship with the film, following the Phantom down into his subterranean nightmare world.

The NUTSHELL COMEDY CLUB: October

It’s happening - The Nutshell Comedy Club is back with a blistering bang so come and enjoy a night of big laughs with Mark Cram, Jon Wagstaffe, Jason Patterson and Live at the Apollo Star Spring Day!

SPRING DAY

As seen on BBC’s Live at The Apollo, Spring Day is an American stand-up comedian, writer and actor now based in London.

Spring’s uniquely acerbic and sassy style of comedy is always a crowd pleaser, or shocker...A Fluent Japanese speaker and a mild cerebral palsy haver, Spring began her career headlining at the Tokyo Comedy Store. Now a permanent fixture is the best stand up clubs in the UK we’re delighted that Spring will be coming to Winchester - and you will be too.

Mark Cram

Mark is quite the all-rounder; with both a killer set and strong MCing chops. For the last few years Mark has been plying his comedy trade across the UK. Constantly evolving, usually unpredictable; he is garnering positive reactions everywhere he goes.

Mark thrills crowds with his tales of dead-end jobs, his family and being the less than grateful winner of Bedford Comedian of the Year.

“A Masterclass in comedy design” Newbury Weekly News

JON WAGSTAFFE

A simple country lad from Tewkesbury, Jon Wagstaffe burst onto the scene in May 2011 and has propelled himself quickly into being a well known act and brilliant compere. His mix of high energy and clever writing make audiences warm to him instantly.

His take on modern life will have any audience in fits of laughter.

‘Very energetic, bombastic, contagious humour’ – Voodoo Magazine

‘A naturally sharp and funny comedian, fresh like everything from Tewkesbury’ Patrick Monahan, Comedian

JASON PATTERSON

Winner of the Laftas Rising Star Award, Jason Patterson is a versatile and engaging comedian.An audience favourite Jason has performed at comedy clubs across the UK and his strong performances have seen him booked on the International circuit performing across North America Europe and the Middle East and he’s had TV appearances on BBC3 and MTV.

“Brilliant stage presence backed by a perfectly measured delivery” – Chortle

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB:
Andrea Rinciari Quartet

Andrea Rinciari is an eminent jazz guitarist whose tireless dedication to the traditions of bebop and straight-ahead has led him to master the essence of mid-20th century jazz.

Inspired by legends such as Bud Powell, Tadd Dameron, Elmo Hope, Freddie Redd, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Sonny Stitt, Fats Navarro, and Clifford Brown, Andrea’s devotion to their legacy permeates through every performance.

Beyond being a virtuoso bandleader, Andrea is an engaging host, consistently gracing prestigious jazz venues on both sides of the channel. From the legendary Ronnie Scott’s, Chelsea’s 606 and Vortex in London to Parisian gems like Duc des Lombards, 38Riv, and Le Barbizon.

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB

Sponsored by Christopher Jones Wealth Management.

Join us on the third Thursday of every month* for an evening of Jazz, delicious food (bring your own / order in) and drinks a plenty in an intimate cabaret style setting.

In partnership with Winchester Jazz Festival and Alex Western-King we will host some of the UK’s best Jazz musicians on The Nutshell stage.

Baby Bear

Join Baby Bear as she explores nature and wildlife in an uplifting, beautiful and comical theatre production.

Baby Bear doesn’t want to venture outside her cosy cave. But she is too curious about the sights, sounds and smells outside to stay indoors. Tempted by the creatures that wander into her home, Baby Bear learns the beauty of nature and how returning home is even better after an adventure.

Combining stunning visuals, an exploration of the senses and sung to a mesmerising soundtrack, Baby Bear is a playful, interactive puppetry adventure for babies, toddlers and their families. The perfect first theatre experience.

Baby Show Suitability: For ages approx. 0-18 months. A gentle version of the production suitable for those not on the move and/or wanting a calmer experience. 20mins performance with optional 20mins stay & play.

Toddler Show Suitability: For ages approx. 18 months-3 years. An energetic version of the production suitable for those on the move and/or wanting a livelier experience. 20mins performance with optional 20mins stay & play.

THE ZOO THAT COMES TO YOU

The Zoo That Comes To You follows the impassioned attempts of two animal enthusiasts to share their love of and concern for animals with the world. They take in animals that need respite, care or a temporary home and have, accidentally, ended up with a whole sanctuary, but with no visitors! So everybody – animals and humans alike – have decided it is time to get out, see the world, and bring the zoo, to you.

Come and meet this eclectic group of charming yet cheeky animals, as they discuss their life experiences and the challenges they face in a rapidly changing world. They have a lot to say and want to inspire people of all ages to take action, because they know small actions can make a big difference in the world.

Featuring puppetry, live music and playful characters, Scarlet Oak Theatre welcomes you to join the conversation about animal conservation.

Running time 60mins. Suitable for ages 5+ but we welcome younger audiences and unaccompanied grownups. 

WINCHESTER COMICS FAIR

The Winchester comics fair brings together 40 independent artists, writers , and creators to showcase the diverse and inclusive UK comic book and graphic novel scene. There is something for everyone, old and young,  aficionados and novices alike. Come along and meet the makers!

Comics, visual narrative, call it what you will; it is more than just super heroes and Garfield.

The Winchester Comics fair brings independent comics makers, artists, and writers from all over the UK.

BARK! BARK!

A live cinema play told from the perspective of a dog. 

A dog with a bird-killing problem. Two people stitching their relationship together. A house filled with taxidermy animals. When a young couple responds to a dog-sitting advert expecting a free holiday, they stumble into an unexpected tradition.

Using cameras, puppets, and diorama sets, five performers weave together a live animation told from the perspective of a dog.  A delicate, eerie, and amusing look at three lives, human and non-human, from emerging live-cinema company Buzzcut. A “sold out must see” (★★★★ Beyond the Curtain) from Edinburgh Fringe 2024.

This is a captioned and BSL performance.

Contains themes which may be upsetting to younger children.

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB:
HARRY DIPLOCK TRIO

Guitarist Harry Diplock brings together some of the UKs most exciting musicians to capture a modern take on the world of acoustic jazz. ‘Harry Diplock Trio & Friends’ pushes the envelope of acoustic jazz guitar. 

Rooted in the acoustic qualities of the Selmer guitar and heavily inspired by both the French and American Jazz scene, the trio has a unique sound that is distinctly original.

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB

Join us on the third Thursday of every month* for an evening of Jazz, delicious food (bring your own / order in) and drinks a plenty in an intimate cabaret style setting.

In partnership with Winchester Jazz Festival and Alex Western-King we will host some of the UK’s best Jazz musicians on The Nutshell stage.

*please check dates as due to holiday season we will occassionally shift from the third Thursday!

Fatiha El-Ghorri: Cockney Stacking Doll (Work In Progress)

She’s the break-out star of Channel 4’s Taskmaster and Sky’s Mr Bigstuff and she’s warming up before she hits the road. Catch Fatiha El-Ghorri, winner of Best Debut Show at Leicester Comedy Festival 2023, in this work in progress show! 

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB:
Alex Western-King Christmas House Band

This Christmas, we welcome back Alex Western-King and The Nutshell House Band to bring you a celebration of the festive season.

After last year’s sold out double house, join Alex and his band for a night of holiday classics. Featuring Hannah Castleman on vocals, this is a Monday night not to be missed!

Alex Western-King is an award-winning musician and one of the most sought after saxophone players on the London jazz scene. Described as "reaching deep into the core of jazz”, Alex is passionate about communicating through music and preserving the jazz tradition.

Wanna hear more? - book your tickets for our December LATE SHOW.

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB

Join us on the third Thursday of every month* for an evening of Jazz, delicious food (bring your own / order in) and drinks a plenty in an intimate cabaret style setting.

In partnership with Winchester Jazz Festival and Alex Western-King we will host some of the UK’s best Jazz musicians on The Nutshell stage.

*please check dates as due to holiday season we will occassionally shift from the third Thursday!

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB:
Alex Western-King Christmas House Band - The Late Show

Our Christmas LATE SHOW is back, bringing your favourite Christmas tunes to life with our fantastic house band. New Orleans style Christmas music led by Alex Western-King.

Join us for a late night Christmas Jazz experience and bring in the Christmas season in style.

Alex Western-King is an award-winning musician and one of the most sought after saxophone players on the London jazz scene. Described as "reaching deep into the core of jazz”, Alex is passionate about communicating through music and preserving the jazz tradition.

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB

Join us on the third Thursday of every month* for an evening of Jazz, delicious food (bring your own / order in) and drinks a plenty in an intimate cabaret style setting.

In partnership with Winchester Jazz Festival and Alex Western-King we will host some of the UK’s best Jazz musicians on The Nutshell stage.

*please check dates as due to holiday season we will occassionally shift from the third Thursday!

The NUTSHELL COMEDY CLUB: January

Kicking away the winter blues we welcome back our ever popular, and ever hilarious, comedy club featuring some of the best UK comedians on the UK stand-up circuit for your laughing pleasure!

This month’s cracking club features the comedy skills of Louise Leigh, Ben van Der Velde, Blank Peng and headlined by local comedy legend Mike Cox!

LOUISE LEIGH

MIKE COX

Mike Cox has been performing comedy since 2011 and quickly made his mark on the comedy scene with his sharp witted observational style which saw him crowned South Coast Comedian of the Year in 2014 and the Not So New Comedian of the Year in 2022.

Mike also made the final of the prestigious Amused Moose Laugh Off in 2016 and British Comedian of the Year 2023.

He can be seen at comedy clubs up and down the UK.

Ben Van der Velde

Ben Van der Velde is a stand-up comedian, actor, improviser and presenter. Over the past few years, has spread joy and nonsense to all four corners of the British Isles, as well as Greece, Estonia, Latvia, Finland and Norway.

Outside the circuit, Ben has performed a voodoo re-marriage ceremony, founded the Church of the Holy Kazoo with comedy legend Mark Thomas, and walked the entire London Underground network to raise money for The Refugee Council.

BLANK PENG

Made in China but with reliable quality.

Opening Act for Henning Wehn, Nabil Abdulrashid.
2nd Place of Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year 2024.
Finalist of Funny Women Awards, Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year; Beat the Frog World Series;

She’s brilliant so come and see what the fuss is about.

"Delightful presence with a faux innocence that conceals a cutting edge" - Chortle

"Lots of Love, you are brilliant." - Jo Brand

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB:
Ant Law & Brigitte Beraha

‘Ensconced’ is an exciting new collaboration initiated during the pandemic years between leading UK guitarist/composer Ant Law and Milan-born British/Turkish vocalist, composer and lyricist Brigitte Beraha.

The six originals on the album are bookended by re-imaginings of two timeless standards - ‘A Kiss To Build A Dream On’ (made famous by Louis Armstrong) and Bernstein’s ‘Some Other Time’ - in which the duo simply and beautifully conjure up a spellbinding, intimate ‘campfire’ feeling.

Inspired by Ant’s compositions, Brigitte exhibits rich lyrical storytelling, from wistful memories of growing up in the south of France in ‘Who We Are’ to the more obscure tale of a gifted horse in ‘Clever Hans’. Her deeply expressive vocals, alongside Ant’s inventive and melodic acoustic guitar artistry, are the elements at the very heart of this music.

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB

Join us on the third Thursday of every month* for an evening of Jazz, delicious food (bring your own / order in) and drinks a plenty in an intimate cabaret style setting.

In partnership with Winchester Jazz Festival and Alex Western-King we will host some of the UK’s best Jazz musicians on The Nutshell stage.

*please check dates as due to holiday season we will occassionally shift from the third Thursday!

Daniel Foxx: Work in Progress

Join award-winning comedian Daniel Foxx as he road-tests brand new material and has a good old natter. Described by Rolling Stone as "utterly hilarious and effortlessly charismatic”, Daniel is co-host of the hit podcast 'Welcome To Hell' and author of 'Bedtime Stories For Privileged Children'. His debut show Villain was nominated for NextUp's Biggest Award in Comedy and toured internationally, including a sell-out run at New York's iconic Soho Playhouse. As seen on BBC One, BBC Three, ITV and Comedy Central, Daniel has also written and performed on BBC Radio 4.

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB:
The Alex Merritt Quartet

This exciting new quartet - by Bristol-based saxophonist and composer Alex Merritt - brings together four distinctive improvisers, and voices on their respective instruments, to interpret original material of Alex’s that draws inspiration from both classical composers such as Maurice Ravel, Olivier Messiaen and Henri Dutilleux as well as a host of contemporary jazz influences.

The line-up features the wonderful Elliot Galvin on piano (Shabaka Hutchings, Norma Winstone, Marius Neset), Will Harris on bass (The Jazz Defenders, Matt Anderson, Simon Gardner) and Jeremy Stacey on drums (Soft Machine, Jason Rebello, Noel Gallagher.)

This quartet builds on the success of Alex’s former quartet release ‘Anatta’ (2016) a record that featured legendary American drummer Jeff Williams.

Since this time Alex has also released two albums for the prestigious Barcelona-based label Fresh Sound New Talent; ‘Mind-Ear-Ladder’ in a co-led quintet with trumpeter Steve Fishwick (2022) and ‘Common Threads’ with the Fresh Sound Ensemble (2023).

Alex is now relishing the opportunity to get back to the classic quartet format with this brilliant line-up and is excited to bring some new quartet material to The Nutshell as part of a larger nationwide tour ahead of a recording later in 2026.

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB

Join us on the third Thursday of every month* for an evening of Jazz, delicious food (bring your own / order in) and drinks a plenty in an intimate cabaret style setting.

In partnership with Winchester Jazz Festival and Alex Western-King we will host some of the UK’s best Jazz musicians on The Nutshell stage.

*please check dates as due to holiday season we will occassionally shift from the third Thursday!