CHURCH has long been a vital part of Dundee’s cultural and nightlife scene, a space where live music, club nights, and inclusive events have come together under one iconic roof.
Since 2012, the venue has evolved through several incarnations, including The Doghouse, Buskers, 20 Rocks, and Bar 15, before becoming CHURCH: a vibrant, multi-use venue built on creativity, inclusivity, and community. It became home to local legends like The View, global acts such as Snow Patrol, Twin Atlantic and Texas, and club favourites including Basshunter, Cascada, the Vengaboys and Dundee’s very own Hannah Laing.
But CHURCH has always been more than a venue. It’s been a safe space, especially for the LGBTQIA+ community, and a platform for grassroots artists, drag performers, and independent promoters. Our mission has always been to create a place where everyone feels welcome, celebrated, and inspired.
Like many independent venues across the UK, CHURCH has faced its share of challenges, from rising costs and the ongoing struggle for sustainability to a difficult and painful dispute with our former landlord that ultimately forced us from our home on Ward Road. It was a heartbreaking moment, but not the end, far from it.
With the incredible support of the Music Venue Trust (MVT), our community, and our friends at Beat Generator, CHURCH has kept the music alive. Beat Gen opened their doors when we needed it most, and together we’ve continued to bring shows, energy, and life to Dundee’s scene. As our time there draws to a close, our partnership and shared commitment to pushing the city’s live culture forward remain stronger than ever.
This next chapter is about more than survival, it’s about growth. We’ve learned a lot from the journey so far: the highs, the mistakes, and the lessons that come with building something real and raw from the ground up. We’re constantly striving to be better — for the artists, the fans, our staff and the community that have always stood by us.
We can’t wait to reveal our new permanent home, a space that will honour CHURCH’s legacy while marking the start of something truly iconic.
CHURCH lives on, stronger, wiser, and more determined than ever to uplift the scene, the artists, and the people who make it all possible.