The Apex

About The Apex

Award winning live music & entertainment venue in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. From classical to jazz, folk to pop /rock, comedy & more!

The Apex Description

The Apex is an award-winning venue, known for its acoustic excellence and home to a diverse programme of live music and events; from classical concerts to pop, rock, jazz, blues, world, country and folk, plus comedy and dance performances.

It also hosts a number of community and corporate events, offering the local community and wider environs a unique and exciting space from which visitors can see a great selection of artists, bands and events.

It has been very well publicised (and we never tire of hearing it! ) that, as well as its architectural beauty, The Apex also has the very best acoustics, with many musicians who've played here describing it as the best acoustic in the UK, if not Europe:

"Best new venue in the UK. Absolutely superb" - Funeral For A Friend

"Best acoustic we’ve had in 40 years of touring" - Fairport Convention

"The best hall we have ever played in" - The Escher String Quartet

Food & Drink at The Apex

The Apex Café in the foyer is open for delicious drinks (including triple-certified fair trade and organic coffee), cakes and snacks from 9. 30am-5. 30pm Monday-Saturday and from 10. 30am-4pm on Sunday.

You can enjoy your drinks and snacks at a table in the foyer, out in Charter Square if the weather's pleasant, or upstairs in the Lounge to take in the beautiful artworks on display in the Art Gallery.

Art at The Apex

The Apex Gallery is situated on the first floor and is open from 10am-5pm Monday-Saturday and 10am-4pm on Sunday.

The Gallery holds a range of regularly-changing exhibitions featuring works by emerging and established artists, as well as engaging with West Suffolk's various art groups and offering an opportunity to schools and the wider community to display work in a professional environment. All works are for sale, unless otherwise stated.

Reviews

User

The UK’s premier rock 'n' roll production, That'll Be The Day, returns with a brand new show on 19 September!
Highly acclaimed for its stunning live entertainment value, That’ll Be The Day is an outstanding celebration for all true fans of the golden era of popular music.
For more info or to book - http://bit.ly/ThatllBeTheDayApex

User

Chris Amoo and Dave Smith, along with their five-piece band, deliver a funky show with a strong retro flavour, with the The Real Thing's classic songs mixed with contemporary grooves, on Saturday 15 September.
For more info or to book - http://bit.ly/TheRealThingApex

User

The Supersonic 70s Show on Friday 21 September will take you down memory lane with some of the biggest classic hits from the 70s!
For more info or to book - http://bit.ly/Supersonic70sApex

User

On Thursday 13 September, we celebrate the sensational hits of Whitney Houston with Queen of the Night!
For more info or to book - http://bit.ly/WhitneyApex

User

If your children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews love Milkshake! favourites such as Bob the Builder, Little Princess or Noddy then they'll love Milkshake! Live - The Magic Story Book, on Sunday 9 September.
For more info or to book - http://bit.ly/MilkshakeApex

User

BBC Gardeners’ World's Carol Klein is coming to The Apex on Thursday 6 September, to tell us about life in her own beautiful cottage garden...
For more info or to book - http://bit.ly/CarolKleinApex

User

On Sunday 5 August The Apex will host the fourth annual Just Push Play : Charity Event in aid of St Nicholas Hospice Care.
The line-up boasts some fantastic bands, so don't miss out!
For more info or to book - http://bit.ly/JustPushPlayApex

User

Sir Ranulph Fiennes has spent his life in pursuit of extreme adventure, risking life and limb in some of the most ambitious private expeditions ever undertaken.
As a result, he has some fascinating and poignant tales to tell.
Don't miss him on Monday 30 July at 2.30pm - http://bit.ly/SirRanulphMatinee

User

The 545 returns to The Apex on Friday 31 August - bringing you 5 fantastic bands for just £5!
Enterlude, who were one of the stand out bands in the heats of BurySOUND 2018 and have since gone on to support rapidly up-and-coming singer/songwriter Bessie Turner, are just one of the bands performing!
For more info or to book - http://bit.ly/The545Aug

User

Now On Sale... An Evening With Alice Roberts Friday 25 January | 7.30pm
Anthropologist, author and broadcaster, Alice Roberts, has been delving into Britain’s past and making archaeology programmes for nearly twenty years.
... In this exclusive tour, Alice will share insights, anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories from her personal journey to explore Britain’s past, with footage from her programmes and excerpts from her books.
For more info or to book - http://bit.ly/AliceRobertsApex
See More

User

Fans of The Who won't want to miss The Total Who Show on Saturday 28 July, featuring musicians who have performed with Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, and John Entwistle from the band itself!
For more info or to book - http://bit.ly/TheTotalWhoShow

User

False Lights, featuring BBC Folk Award winners Sam Carter and Jim Moray, are a folk rock group, formed in the spirit of the genre’s late-‘60s originators but informed by the music of Sam and Jim’s far more recent youth.
For more info or to book - http://bit.ly/FalseLightsApex

User

This special gig at The Apex, on 31 July, will be the first-ever European concert by Carnegie Hall’s NYO Jazz Orchestra, directed by renowned trumpeter Sean Jones and featuring preeminent jazz vocalist, Dianne Reeves!
For more info or to book - http://bit.ly/NYOJazz18

User

Went to see Joel Domett last night, the venue was perfect for more of an intimate show where the comedian can really interact with the audience. Great sound and was really pleased even though we had seats right at the back and top the view was not compromised at all. Drinks and service at the bar were very good...great to have such a lovely venue in Bury. Will be back soon for sure :)

User

We enjoyed a lovely evening at the apex , a super venue for music , we have been many times before , the searchers this time , our first time trying the Pre dining and we were very impressed ! Def be eating again for future visits !

User

Saw the levellers here a couple of days ago,amazing band,amazing intimate venue easily accessible,friendly,helpful staff . first time here and alone,all concert goers friendly too,fantastic night.

User

I love this Theater, parking is always easy, staff are very helpful and polite, and it is a lovely modern Theater, comfortable seating, and just an all round pleasure to see a show here.

User

I have been to the Apex many times before, mostly for Fat Cat Comedy Club which is usually hilarious depending on who the comedians and compere is. Thought I'd try something different and booked tickets with some friends for the Burlesque night. So glad we did as it was an absolutely fantastic show and the host - Christian Lee - made it even better. The jokes and tricks he did to keep the audience entertained were great too and really got everyone involved. The burlesque dancers were fab and really captivated everyone ;) Lookingn forward to seeing what other shoes the Apex will be bringing to Bury!

User

Had a fantastic night with Ian Waite and Natalie Lowe . They were so down to earth with their life experiences and funny my face ached from laughing. My husband even got up for a bit of audience participation and ending up being Ian's dance partner. Brilliant evening all round.

User

Great to see you yesterday that you offer gluten free cake and it was in its own cake dome with separate tongs. I have shared in local Coeliac groups. Thank you �

User

Great place, it has hot and cold running water. The hot water is set at a minimum of 60 degrees to prevent legionnaires disease. Soap is provided in the lavatories to prevent the spread of dysentery. Toilet roll is also provided. If you can't afford a drink at the bar, they will provide tap water at no charge. I will certainly recommend this place to friends.

User

Great night watching the BeeGees tribute band You Win Again. Can highly recommend this show.

User

Great Joe Brown gig last night....shame there were so many empty seats which I guess was down to the weather conditions.

We love coming to this well run friendly venue apart from the lack of decent ale. I saw a review from November last year about the Guinness and you said that you were going to trial bottled beer. Has this been continued and if so how well promoted is it. We didn't see any last night...not that we looked very hard.

User

Best folk music venue anywhere! Brilliant acoustics, great view of the stage from every seat. A shame you can’t have a cup of decent coffee in the interval, only some stewed stuff out of a pot. Can also be a tad chilly in the auditorium, turn down the air-con please Apex! Wear a jumper!

User

Amazing venue and nice and helpful staff and and I have seen some amazing people down the apex bury st edmunds last night was grate amazing band soul II soul grate night will never for get it thanks guys

User

Not the first time we have been here and always enjoyed he show we have been to.I have to agree with Dean Wade on him comments about the bar,not a fan of green king and it's overpriced. Lucky Witherspoon's is just round the corner

User

I've been to the apex a number of times and I've enjoyed every time. The acoustics are brilliant and wherever I've sat has a great view. Staff are courteous and polite and I've never had to wait too long at the bar. Otherall a fantastic venue which hosts some great acts.

User

Been here a few times for Fat Cat Comedy, always a great evening. Grabbed a couple of drinks and a bag of sweets beforehand - Maltesers were £3+, more expensive then our drinks! Wouldn't have got them if I had known this but couldn't see a price list on the bar.

User

The good bit...



We saw Gretchen Peters here last week and it was a perfect small venue for this type of gig, with a good sound. However, this was a country artist with no drummer...



The bad bit...



Not a venue for rock bands!! The sound for the support band for Walter Trout on Wednesday was appalling - everyone I spoke to on the lower balcony agreed. Vocals loud to the point of distortion made them completely unintelligible and painful, but the worst was the kick drum volume and resonance that was making people feel ill, to the point that several went to the bar! We were told it was because the in house engineer was doing the sound for the support, and to be fair it was slightly better for Walter Trout as he had his own engineer. I have to say the front desk and balcony staff were wonderful though - they found us temporary alternative seats at the back of the balcony and also offered us the option of trying the standing area downstairs. This is from someone who has been going to rock gigs for 40 years and played in many bands. I wasn't sure whether to give 2 or 3 stars, but gave 3 as the staff were so helpful :)

User

Nice venue, nice size, friendly staff, but £5.20 for a can of Guinness served in a plastic is ridiculous. Sort your prices out, you're not London ya know?

User

First time I've been to see live music here and I'm afraid to say myself and my husband were not impressed. First evening out for just the two of us in too many years and I feel utterly gutted it was so poor. We went to see Soul II Soul and whilst they were brilliant we couldn't actually enjoy their music as the sound guys got it really wrong. Violinists on stage were drowned out by all the other instruments. On the whole the music was too loud and they compensated for this by turning up the mic for the singers, to the point Caron Wheeler's higher notes actually distorted. Jazzy B spent a fair amount of time trying to get them to adjust it but it couldn't be done enough to improve the whole performance. The venue itself is nice and staff were very friendly but I guess if we do get time off to go out again, sadly it won't be here.

User

Well we went to see soul to soul who I must say were brilliant but:::::it was my first visit to the apex & not sure I will go again !! The bar area was so packed that I waited over 30 minutes to buy a drink (2 bar staff) & so many people moaning about the lack of staff !!!& to have to wait until 9.30pm to see the band was madness !!! Far too late & awful dj music most of the night !! We felt at £36.50 a ticket we had been ripped off !!!!

User

Went to see Joel Domett last night, the venue was perfect for more of an intimate show where the comedian can really interact with the audience. Great sound and was really pleased even though we had seats right at the back and top the view was not compromised at all. Drinks and service at the bar were very good...great to have such a lovely venue in Bury. Will be back soon for sure :)

User

We enjoyed a lovely evening at the apex , a super venue for music , we have been many times before , the searchers this time , our first time trying the Pre dining and we were very impressed ! Def be eating again for future visits !

User

Saw the levellers here a couple of days ago,amazing band,amazing intimate venue easily accessible,friendly,helpful staff . first time here and alone,all concert goers friendly too,fantastic night.

User

I love this Theater, parking is always easy, staff are very helpful and polite, and it is a lovely modern Theater, comfortable seating, and just an all round pleasure to see a show here.

User

I have been to the Apex many times before, mostly for Fat Cat Comedy Club which is usually hilarious depending on who the comedians and compere is. Thought I'd try something different and booked tickets with some friends for the Burlesque night. So glad we did as it was an absolutely fantastic show and the host - Christian Lee - made it even better. The jokes and tricks he did to keep the audience entertained were great too and really got everyone involved. The burlesque dancers were fab and really captivated everyone ;) Lookingn forward to seeing what other shoes the Apex will be bringing to Bury!

User

Had a fantastic night with Ian Waite and Natalie Lowe . They were so down to earth with their life experiences and funny my face ached from laughing. My husband even got up for a bit of audience participation and ending up being Ian's dance partner. Brilliant evening all round.

User

Great to see you yesterday that you offer gluten free cake and it was in its own cake dome with separate tongs. I have shared in local Coeliac groups. Thank you �

User

Great place, it has hot and cold running water. The hot water is set at a minimum of 60 degrees to prevent legionnaires disease. Soap is provided in the lavatories to prevent the spread of dysentery. Toilet roll is also provided. If you can't afford a drink at the bar, they will provide tap water at no charge. I will certainly recommend this place to friends.

User

Great night watching the BeeGees tribute band You Win Again. Can highly recommend this show.

User

Great Joe Brown gig last night....shame there were so many empty seats which I guess was down to the weather conditions.

We love coming to this well run friendly venue apart from the lack of decent ale. I saw a review from November last year about the Guinness and you said that you were going to trial bottled beer. Has this been continued and if so how well promoted is it. We didn't see any last night...not that we looked very hard.

User

Best folk music venue anywhere! Brilliant acoustics, great view of the stage from every seat. A shame you can’t have a cup of decent coffee in the interval, only some stewed stuff out of a pot. Can also be a tad chilly in the auditorium, turn down the air-con please Apex! Wear a jumper!

User

Amazing venue and nice and helpful staff and and I have seen some amazing people down the apex bury st edmunds last night was grate amazing band soul II soul grate night will never for get it thanks guys

User

Not the first time we have been here and always enjoyed he show we have been to.I have to agree with Dean Wade on him comments about the bar,not a fan of green king and it's overpriced. Lucky Witherspoon's is just round the corner

User

I've been to the apex a number of times and I've enjoyed every time. The acoustics are brilliant and wherever I've sat has a great view. Staff are courteous and polite and I've never had to wait too long at the bar. Otherall a fantastic venue which hosts some great acts.

User

Been here a few times for Fat Cat Comedy, always a great evening. Grabbed a couple of drinks and a bag of sweets beforehand - Maltesers were £3+, more expensive then our drinks! Wouldn't have got them if I had known this but couldn't see a price list on the bar.

User

The good bit...



We saw Gretchen Peters here last week and it was a perfect small venue for this type of gig, with a good sound. However, this was a country artist with no drummer...



The bad bit...



Not a venue for rock bands!! The sound for the support band for Walter Trout on Wednesday was appalling - everyone I spoke to on the lower balcony agreed. Vocals loud to the point of distortion made them completely unintelligible and painful, but the worst was the kick drum volume and resonance that was making people feel ill, to the point that several went to the bar! We were told it was because the in house engineer was doing the sound for the support, and to be fair it was slightly better for Walter Trout as he had his own engineer. I have to say the front desk and balcony staff were wonderful though - they found us temporary alternative seats at the back of the balcony and also offered us the option of trying the standing area downstairs. This is from someone who has been going to rock gigs for 40 years and played in many bands. I wasn't sure whether to give 2 or 3 stars, but gave 3 as the staff were so helpful :)

User

Nice venue, nice size, friendly staff, but £5.20 for a can of Guinness served in a plastic is ridiculous. Sort your prices out, you're not London ya know?

User

First time I've been to see live music here and I'm afraid to say myself and my husband were not impressed. First evening out for just the two of us in too many years and I feel utterly gutted it was so poor. We went to see Soul II Soul and whilst they were brilliant we couldn't actually enjoy their music as the sound guys got it really wrong. Violinists on stage were drowned out by all the other instruments. On the whole the music was too loud and they compensated for this by turning up the mic for the singers, to the point Caron Wheeler's higher notes actually distorted. Jazzy B spent a fair amount of time trying to get them to adjust it but it couldn't be done enough to improve the whole performance. The venue itself is nice and staff were very friendly but I guess if we do get time off to go out again, sadly it won't be here.

User

Well we went to see soul to soul who I must say were brilliant but:::::it was my first visit to the apex & not sure I will go again !! The bar area was so packed that I waited over 30 minutes to buy a drink (2 bar staff) & so many people moaning about the lack of staff !!!& to have to wait until 9.30pm to see the band was madness !!! Far too late & awful dj music most of the night !! We felt at £36.50 a ticket we had been ripped off !!!!

User

Went to see Joel Domett last night, the venue was perfect for more of an intimate show where the comedian can really interact with the audience. Great sound and was really pleased even though we had seats right at the back and top the view was not compromised at all. Drinks and service at the bar were very good...great to have such a lovely venue in Bury. Will be back soon for sure :)

User

We enjoyed a lovely evening at the apex , a super venue for music , we have been many times before , the searchers this time , our first time trying the Pre dining and we were very impressed ! Def be eating again for future visits !

User

Saw the levellers here a couple of days ago,amazing band,amazing intimate venue easily accessible,friendly,helpful staff . first time here and alone,all concert goers friendly too,fantastic night.

User

I love this Theater, parking is always easy, staff are very helpful and polite, and it is a lovely modern Theater, comfortable seating, and just an all round pleasure to see a show here.

User

I have been to the Apex many times before, mostly for Fat Cat Comedy Club which is usually hilarious depending on who the comedians and compere is. Thought I'd try something different and booked tickets with some friends for the Burlesque night. So glad we did as it was an absolutely fantastic show and the host - Christian Lee - made it even better. The jokes and tricks he did to keep the audience entertained were great too and really got everyone involved. The burlesque dancers were fab and really captivated everyone ;) Lookingn forward to seeing what other shoes the Apex will be bringing to Bury!

User

Had a fantastic night with Ian Waite and Natalie Lowe . They were so down to earth with their life experiences and funny my face ached from laughing. My husband even got up for a bit of audience participation and ending up being Ian's dance partner. Brilliant evening all round.

User

Great to see you yesterday that you offer gluten free cake and it was in its own cake dome with separate tongs. I have shared in local Coeliac groups. Thank you �

User

Great place, it has hot and cold running water. The hot water is set at a minimum of 60 degrees to prevent legionnaires disease. Soap is provided in the lavatories to prevent the spread of dysentery. Toilet roll is also provided. If you can't afford a drink at the bar, they will provide tap water at no charge. I will certainly recommend this place to friends.

User

Great night watching the BeeGees tribute band You Win Again. Can highly recommend this show.

User

Great Joe Brown gig last night....shame there were so many empty seats which I guess was down to the weather conditions.

We love coming to this well run friendly venue apart from the lack of decent ale. I saw a review from November last year about the Guinness and you said that you were going to trial bottled beer. Has this been continued and if so how well promoted is it. We didn't see any last night...not that we looked very hard.

User

Best folk music venue anywhere! Brilliant acoustics, great view of the stage from every seat. A shame you can’t have a cup of decent coffee in the interval, only some stewed stuff out of a pot. Can also be a tad chilly in the auditorium, turn down the air-con please Apex! Wear a jumper!

User

Amazing venue and nice and helpful staff and and I have seen some amazing people down the apex bury st edmunds last night was grate amazing band soul II soul grate night will never for get it thanks guys

User

Not the first time we have been here and always enjoyed he show we have been to.I have to agree with Dean Wade on him comments about the bar,not a fan of green king and it's overpriced. Lucky Witherspoon's is just round the corner

User

I've been to the apex a number of times and I've enjoyed every time. The acoustics are brilliant and wherever I've sat has a great view. Staff are courteous and polite and I've never had to wait too long at the bar. Otherall a fantastic venue which hosts some great acts.

User

Been here a few times for Fat Cat Comedy, always a great evening. Grabbed a couple of drinks and a bag of sweets beforehand - Maltesers were £3+, more expensive then our drinks! Wouldn't have got them if I had known this but couldn't see a price list on the bar.

User

The good bit...



We saw Gretchen Peters here last week and it was a perfect small venue for this type of gig, with a good sound. However, this was a country artist with no drummer...



The bad bit...



Not a venue for rock bands!! The sound for the support band for Walter Trout on Wednesday was appalling - everyone I spoke to on the lower balcony agreed. Vocals loud to the point of distortion made them completely unintelligible and painful, but the worst was the kick drum volume and resonance that was making people feel ill, to the point that several went to the bar! We were told it was because the in house engineer was doing the sound for the support, and to be fair it was slightly better for Walter Trout as he had his own engineer. I have to say the front desk and balcony staff were wonderful though - they found us temporary alternative seats at the back of the balcony and also offered us the option of trying the standing area downstairs. This is from someone who has been going to rock gigs for 40 years and played in many bands. I wasn't sure whether to give 2 or 3 stars, but gave 3 as the staff were so helpful :)

User

Nice venue, nice size, friendly staff, but £5.20 for a can of Guinness served in a plastic is ridiculous. Sort your prices out, you're not London ya know?

User

First time I've been to see live music here and I'm afraid to say myself and my husband were not impressed. First evening out for just the two of us in too many years and I feel utterly gutted it was so poor. We went to see Soul II Soul and whilst they were brilliant we couldn't actually enjoy their music as the sound guys got it really wrong. Violinists on stage were drowned out by all the other instruments. On the whole the music was too loud and they compensated for this by turning up the mic for the singers, to the point Caron Wheeler's higher notes actually distorted. Jazzy B spent a fair amount of time trying to get them to adjust it but it couldn't be done enough to improve the whole performance. The venue itself is nice and staff were very friendly but I guess if we do get time off to go out again, sadly it won't be here.

User

Well we went to see soul to soul who I must say were brilliant but:::::it was my first visit to the apex & not sure I will go again !! The bar area was so packed that I waited over 30 minutes to buy a drink (2 bar staff) & so many people moaning about the lack of staff !!!& to have to wait until 9.30pm to see the band was madness !!! Far too late & awful dj music most of the night !! We felt at £36.50 a ticket we had been ripped off !!!!

More about The Apex

The Apex is located at 1-2 Charter Square The Arc, IP33 3FD Bury St. Edmunds
01284 758000
http://www.theapex.co.uk