Venue Guide: The Drill, Lincoln
The Drill is Lincoln's most storied live music venue — a Grade II listed former drill hall turned 500-capacity home for gigs, comedy and community events in the heart of the city centre. Built in 1890, it's spent over a century as a gathering place for the city, including one night in particular that's never stopped being talked about (more on that below).
Under the stewardship of Lincoln College Group since reopening in 2021, The Drill pairs touring-grade sound and lighting with an intimate, atmospheric room. Its programme runs wide, taking in singer-songwriters, tribute acts, touring bands, family shows and community performances, nurturing local talent alongside the bigger names passing through.
Browse upcoming shows at The Drill and book tickets.
Getting to The Drill, Lincoln
By car
Lincoln sits at the meeting point of the A46, A15 and A57, all feeding into the city centre. The closest car park to the venue is on Free School Lane, right next door, with further options within a five-minute walk:
- Lincoln Central Car Park (LN5 7HW)
- St Rumbold's Street car park (LN2 5AP)
By train
Lincoln Central station is managed by East Midlands Railway, with additional Northern and LNER services linking the city to Nottingham, Sheffield, Doncaster and beyond. The station is a five-minute walk from the venue through the city centre.
By bus
The Drill is a five-minute walk from Lincoln's bus station. Routes 4, 17, 23, 510, 9811 and the Walk & Ride Shuttle all stop on Silver Street, just around the corner, while routes 5 and 53 stop close by on Broadgate.
Venue information
The Drill
Free School Lane
Lincoln
Lincolnshire
LN2 1EY
Find parking near the venue
The Drill – Need to know
What is The Drill known for?
Beyond being one of Lincoln's most active live music venues, The Drill holds a genuine piece of British music history: The Rolling Stones played a New Year's Eve show here in 1963, the night before their first-ever appearance on Top of the Pops. Today it continues that legacy with a mixed programme of touring artists, tribute acts, comedy and community events, all run under the stewardship of Lincoln College Group.
Is there parking near The Drill, Lincoln?
The closest car park is on Free School Lane, right next to the venue. Within a five-minute walk, you'll also find Lincoln Central Car Park (LN5 7HW) and St Rumbold's Street car park (LN2 5AP). Using the JustPark tool below is the easiest way to compare and pre-book a nearby space.
What are the age restrictions at The Drill?
Most events are 14+, with under-16s required to be accompanied by an adult. Age restrictions can vary by event, and refunds aren't given for incorrectly booked tickets, so it's worth checking the specific listing before you buy. Bar service follows a Challenge 25 policy, so bring photo ID if you plan on drinking.
Is The Drill accessible?
Step-free access is available to the venue's key public areas, alongside accessible toilet facilities. Complimentary tickets are available for essential companions, and designated respite seating may be available for selected events — it's best to contact the venue before booking to confirm what's available for a specific show. Registered assistance dogs are welcome throughout, with water provided on request.
Is The Drill a cashless venue?
Yes — The Drill operates as a fully cashless venue, so bring a card or contactless payment for the bar and any extras on the night. There's also a cloakroom at the Box Office if you need to leave belongings during a show.
How do I get to The Drill, Lincoln?
The Drill is a five-minute walk from both Lincoln Central railway station and Lincoln bus station, right in the city centre. Full transport and parking details are below.
How can I contact The Drill, Lincoln?
For ticketing queries, email boxoffice@lincolndrill.co.uk or call 01522 534160. The venue's box office team is in the office Monday to Friday, 10:00 to 14:00. Full details are on the venue's website.
History and Culture of The Drill, Lincoln
The Drill takes its name from its original purpose: built in 1890 and designed by architects Goddard and Son, the Grade II listed hall was funded by Joseph Ruston, a former Lincoln MP, as a training base for the 1st Lincolnshire Rifle Volunteers. Community and social events were held here almost from the start, and in August 1914 the building's regiment, by then the 4th Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment, mobilised here before deploying to the Western Front.
Music has been part of the building's story for just as long. No night looms larger than New Year's Eve 1963, when The Rolling Stones played a show at the Drill Hall the night before their first appearance on Top of the Pops. It's a genuine footnote in British music history, and one Lincoln still talks about six decades on.
The venue closed in 2020, and it was Lincoln College Group that stepped in to save it, carrying out extensive renovations before reopening the building in December 2021. Since then, The Drill has rebuilt its programme from the ground up: acclaimed touring artists, tribute acts, comedy, and community performances, all delivered in a room that still carries the atmosphere of its 130-plus-year history.
Today it sits at the centre of Lincoln's grassroots music scene, balancing its role as a heritage landmark with a genuine commitment to nurturing local talent alongside the bigger names passing through.
Upcoming Gigs and Events at The Drill, Lincoln
From touring singer-songwriters to tribute nights, family-friendly festivals and everything in between, The Drill's Lincoln city-centre stage keeps a packed and varied calendar year-round.
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Laura Smyth: Born Aggy
Thursday 24th September 2026
The Drill, Lincoln -
Elles Bailey
Thursday 3rd September 2026
The Drill, Lincoln -
Big Country
Saturday 5th December 2026
The Drill, Lincoln -
The Feeling
Wednesday 18th November 2026
The Drill, Lincoln -
Skerryvore
Sunday 29th November 2026
The Drill, Lincoln -
Reef
Thursday 22nd October 2026
The Drill, Lincoln
Explore more live music across the East Midlands and beyond
From Grade II listed drill halls to converted churches and university-sized main stages, Lincolnshire's live scene punches well above its weight. Explore our gig guides and concert recommendations for Lincoln, the East Midlands and beyond.
Browse more venues in the East Midlands and beyond
Discover even more stages across Lincoln, Lincolnshire and the wider East Midlands, from converted churches and community halls to landmark auditoriums. Browse the full venue listing below to find your next show.
Discover More Live Music Venues Near Lincoln
For more live music close by, Metronome is a 400-capacity purpose-built room in Nottingham's Creative Quarter, while The Nest brings a flexible warehouse space nearby for bigger club nights and live shows. In Derby, The Flowerpot keeps the city's independent gig scene thriving, and back in Nottingham's Lace Market, Billy Bootleggers is an American-inspired dive bar with live music seven nights a week. The Grove, one of Nottingham's newest grassroots stages, is based in Sneinton Market, while Southside brings grassroots gigs to a converted Grade II listed church a short walk south of Lincoln's own city centre. Rounding things out in Derby, The Hairy Dog is a 500-capacity home for alternative live music.
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