Spread the word – Beer, laughs and thrills at Derby Market Place

Fri 30 Jul 2021

Stand-up comedy and an evening of thrilling travelling tales from a climber are just part of the many events in store for audiences at the new Derby Loves You temporary venue at Derby Market Place.

Comedian Mike McClean and traveller Andy Kirkpatrick are on the bill for October & November, adding to the eclectic range of entertainment on offer throughout the summer and into the autumn, which includes Jazz, Classical and Folk music, theatre, markets, festivals, comedy, and quizzes.

Coming up soon is Derby Beer Festival, which takes place from Wednesday 4 to Sunday 8 August. Drinks will be provided by a number of local breweries including Blue Monkey Brewery, Shiny, Dancing Duck, Littleover, Derby Brewing Company and Darley Abbey Cider. 

Live music will entertain the festival with a range acts already confirmed, starting with 3-piece pop ‘n’ rock ‘n’ roll band Peashooter performing on Wednesday, followed by Herron Brothers the following night. As we move into the weekend, Silicone Taxis, a 4-piece soul, funk, and rock ‘n’ roll group will play on Friday night. Finally, the good-time rock covers band The Unforgiven will take to the stage on Saturday. Daytime sessions will also have live music to add to the atmosphere while you enjoy the drinks.

Entry ranges from £3 to £5 depending on the session, and you can upgrade to a chalet from £20 for up to six people. Full session and pricing information.

Just on sale, Derby Concert Band will be bringing the Last Night of the Proms to the Market Place on Saturday 17 October at 5.00pm, as they present a great selection of music from melodies to tug at the heartstrings to toe-tapping pop classics. If that wasn’t enough, the evening will be rounded off with the traditional Proms favourites including Jerusalem and Land of Hope and Glory – raise the roof and wave your flags! Tickets will cost £13.

On both Saturday 30, and Sunday 31 October at 8pm, Join the The Lost Boys for a Halloween Quiz Night-Mare to remember, or rather to forget, at the Derby Loves You temporary venue.

Win the coveted winner’s prize and secure freedom for yourselves, for not all is as it seems. Yes, you are entering a game show, yes, there will be different rounds exploring a range of skills, talents and intellects, yes, there will be The Lost Boys, but perhaps there will be other visitors too! Visitors with their own endgame in mind…

Enter as a team of up to 6 for 3 rounds of 30mins of brain teasers, with a mix of live performance and digital content and breaks for trips to the bar! There’s also a bonus prize for the best-dressed team.

Dare you enter this frightful challenge? Have you got the guts and grey matter to survive this immersive and interactive experience? Can you laugh in the face of danger?

Participants must be 18 or over. Tickets cost £12 per person, with discounted rates for groups of 4+.

Following a summer of uncertainty around travelling abroad, climber and comic Andy Kirkpatrick brings his Mind Your Head: Holidays From Hell show to the Derby Loves You venue on Saturday 13 November at 8pm.

His one-man show features film and stills footage of his latest expedition, and his humorous take on what can and does happen will leave you laughing – and realising there are worse things in life than being on the amber plus list. Tickets are £18 and £15 for concessions. This event is likely to contain very strong language

One of Derby’s favourite comedians, Mike McClean, brings shows for young and more grown-up audiences to the Derby Loves You venue on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 November.

Well-known for his past appearances in panto in the city, Mike trained as an actor before breaking onto the stand-up comedy circuit with his comedy magic act. He has hosted numerous television shows over many years, including interviewing some of the biggest stars of the day, such as Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt and Britney Spears, for Channel 4’s The Big Breakfast. He also appeared in The Office and played Fin’s Dad in My Big Fat Diary on E4.  

Join Mike and a special guest for an evening of top-class comedy, proper entertainment, and even Mike’s alternative mind-reading act, on Friday 19 November at 8pm. Tickets are £13.50.

In his special show for a younger audience, Mike will be ‘keeping it clean’ and bringing lots of laughs, and a touch of magic to the stage on Saturday 20 November at 2.30pm. Mike’s rapport with younger audience members was evident in his roles in panto, and he has the ability to put them at ease while delivering some side-splitting laughs that will keep their adults entertained too! Tickets are £8.

Tickets for all shows and events can be booked online or by calling our Sales and Information Centre on 01332 255800. More shows & events are being added weekly.

The Derby Loves You venue is a sophisticated temporary space designed with your safety and comfort in mind. It is well ventilated with a minimum of six air changes an hour, and will be heated as the nights start to draw in. Derby Market Place is a registered We’re Good to Go venue, meaning it meets Visit Britain’s industry standard for following Government and Public Health guidance.

Current Government guidance advises caution so we would encourage all our visitors to Do the Right Thing for Derby by continuing to wear a face covering, if you are able, while moving around the Derby Loves You venue. We also advise social distancing where possible, and use of the hand sanitiser and washing facilities provided. We will also continue to display our QR code for NHS Test and Trace purposes.

Full advice and information are available at The Derby Market Place FAQ pages. Above all, we ask you to respect our staff and each other so everyone can have a good time.

Tables for Alfresco Dining are still available outdoors and in chalets at Derby Market Place from 12noon to 3pm every day and from 6pm to 9pm on Friday and Saturday evenings when there are no performances taking place. Order food to be delivered to your table, or bring your own takeaway. Tables are free to book and you can reserve one up to 24 hours before, or just turn up on the day and we’ll accommodate you if space is available.

From Sunday 1 August, while shows are running, tables will be reserved for audience members to book pre-show Alfresco Dining as a free add-on if they wish, and there will be no general public access. Table bookings made before this date was announced will be honoured and we will contact customers direct.

From Wednesday 11 August, if you’re dining at Derby Market Place from Monday to Wednesday, drinks will be available to order at the bar. For all other times, the Derby Brewing Company app will still be in use. For show nights, interval drinks can be pre-ordered by app and pre-show drinks will be available from the bar in person.

Derby Market Place is supported by our media partner, Smooth Radio