We’re proudly part of the Bristol Rules campaign – a set of ideas that help people in our city be kinder, nicer, and more involved. As a venue there are a few things we’ve got our own views on. Get to know.

Dancing, raving and partying are for everyone – so rule number one: be kind. No matter how insignificant something feels or looks, we encourage you to report anything inappropriate or uncomfortable. Music and performance bring us together, so we ask that you respect fellow clubbers and partyers. If you feel unsafe, unwell, threatened or harassed, please report this to a staff member immediately. Our staff work hard to keep the club going and you happy; without them, this wouldn’t happen, so please show them the same respect you’d expect.

Lakota has zero tolerance for drug use. Security operates a mandatory search policy, so expect that before you come in. If you refuse, we might have to refuse you. Anyone found using or dealing drugs will be handed over to the police, plus an indefinite club ban. We reserve the right to photograph any offenders and retain the photo on our files for banning enforcement.

By choosing Lakota, you agree for us to search you on entry, at random and on exit from the venue. If you don’t, sadly, we can’t let you in. If you’ve got any of the following on you, we’ll have to remove them:

Food & drinks

Chewing gum

Any item deemed to be a weapon or could be used as one

Any substance suspected of being an illegal drug

Drug paraphernalia such as grinders or pipes

Any substances, pills or medication that is not in their original packaging

Eye drops & nasal sprays

Sharp objects such as scissors,

needles and penknives

Balloons/chargers.

Any glass items (perfume etc.)

Items can not be kept on the door for collection on exit, so please ensure you leave any of the above items at home.

We can’t offer exchanges or refunds if an event is going ahead on the initially planned date. But if you can’t join us, we recommend re-selling your tickets to a friend or someone else using a trusted resale site like Ticketswap. If your event has been cancelled or isn’t going ahead on the planned date, we’ll be in touch about what you can do. We can’t offer refunds if you get COVID-19 before the event.

We’d recommend purchasing resale tickets through official ticketing sites like Eventbrite, Fatsoma, RA or Ticketswap for extra protection. We’ll issue no refunds for fraudulent tickets and only pay official refunds back to the original purchaser.

We reserve the right to refuse admission at any point, so please show everyone respect.

If you’re lucky enough to look under 25, bring a suitable photographic ID. We accept passports, driving licences and an approved proof of age card. We can not accept a photograph of an ID so please bring the physical copy.  Please don’t be offended if we refuse you because you don’t have ID – it’s there to protect our license.

We can only accept physical copies of an ID. Photo’s/printouts of ID will NOT be accepted.

At Lakota, we want everyone to feel welcome and we know that clear information in advance is important.

Following a recent wheelchair access walk-through of the venue, we are reviewing our accessibility information and working through recommendations to improve the experience for disabled customers, artists and staff. The information below reflects the current venue layout.

Virtual venue tour

We have a virtual tour of the venue available so customers can view the space in advance, get a better feel for the layout, and plan their visit before attending.

View our virtual tour here.

Wheelchair access

Lakota has wheelchair access into parts of the ground floor of the venue via a street-front entrance separate from the main gates. From this entrance there is a small lobby leading into the bar area, with access through into the main room.

The smallest door width on the accessible route is approximately 73cm.

Please note that access routes may vary depending on the event layout, room usage and crowd-control arrangements. If you have specific access requirements, we recommend contacting us before the event so we can advise on the best entrance, route and facilities for that specific show.

Accessible toilet

There is an accessible toilet on the ground floor, accessed by Radar key. We have Radar keys on site if you do not have your own.

Please note that the accessible toilet has limited space and may not be suitable for all wheelchair users, particularly larger wheelchairs. The current approximate dimensions are:

Door width: 77cm
Width of room: 113cm
Length from door to toilet: 149cm
Right-hand toilet transfer space: 40cm

If you would like to check whether the facilities are suitable for you before attending, please contact us and we will do our best to help.

Ground floor areas

The main room, Lakota Gardens and Coroner’s Court are on the ground floor and can be accessed by wheelchair users, although some routes and thresholds may require staff assistance.

Some areas at the rear of the venue, including the playroom/backroom areas, currently require leaving the venue, travelling a short distance along the pavement, entering through the main gates, moving up a steep incline through the outdoor area, and re-entering the building. There is currently no wheelchair-accessible toilet in these rear areas.

Upstairs areas and Moon Club

Moon Club and other upstairs areas are currently not wheelchair accessible. There is no lift. Access is by stairs only, with seven steps, a landing turn, and a further nine steps. There are handrails on both sides.

Known limitations

We want to be clear that Lakota is an older multi-room venue and not every area is currently accessible. Moon Club and upstairs areas are not wheelchair accessible. Some ground-floor routes include thresholds, slopes or routes that may require staff assistance. The accessible toilet is limited in size and may not be suitable for all wheelchair users.

Mobility aids and visibility

Some customers have previously found it useful to add small LED lights or other visibility aids to wheelchairs, walking sticks or other mobility aids when attending club events, particularly in darker or busier spaces.

This is completely optional and is not a requirement. We include this information only because some visitors have told us it has helped them feel more visible and comfortable moving through the venue.

Artists and performers

If you are performing at Lakota and have access requirements, please contact us or your event promoter in advance. Some stage access is currently limited, but we will work with you and the promoter to explore suitable arrangements where possible.

PA/carer tickets

We offer PA/carer tickets where required. To arrange this, or to ask any access questions before attending, please contact us at info@lakota.co.uk.

Assistance on arrival

If you require assistance on arrival, please speak to a member of door or security staff and they can contact the duty manager.

Ongoing improvements

We are currently reviewing recommendations around signage, Radar key access, staff guidance, threshold strips, safer ramp options and clearer access routes through the venue.

We welcome feedback from disabled customers, artists and visitors as we continue to improve the venue.

We can’t accept responsibility for anything you leave in your pockets, so please keep your valuables on you. In the event of loss from this cloakroom, our insurers will only payout a maximum of £50 per claim. Lost tickets will be asked to wait until the end of the evening, and coats won’t be given out without a ticket. Only one piece is allowed per hanger. If you haven’t got a token or ticket, our insurers will not compensate for the damage inflicted by the loss of the ticket. If you’ve got a complaint, get in touch.

We keep unclaimed cloakroom items at lost property for three weeks, after that we’ll give them to charity.