The Grayston Unity is an independent bar, grassroots music venue and cultural hub in Halifax, founded in May 2016.
Independence, music and community have always been at the heart of what we do. We’re a place for great beer, creativity, conversation and bringing people together.
We are an inclusive and welcoming venue and bar in Halifax — friendly, approachable and down to earth.
It’s fair to say we agree with the words of David Byrne:
“love and kindness are a form of resistance.”
In a fractured world, we believe in community, co-operation and trying to do the right thing.
That approach extends to our booking policy. We try to give opportunities to new and young artists, as well as offering internships and work experience to people who want to develop a career in the live music sector.
We’ve given first-gig opportunities to many young artists and welcomed emerging acts on their first or early UK tours. By way of example, Getdown Services played in front of just 35 people on their first visit to The Grayston Unity.
Locally, we have a strong relationship with fellow grassroots music venues including The Trades Club, Golden Lion, Blind Pig and The Puzzle Hall Inn.
We have also led work with MVT to help secure a levy on ticket sales for gigs at The Piece Hall, supporting essential equipment purchases for grassroots music venues.
Our support for emerging artists goes beyond putting on gigs. We set up a record label to help release music by young Halifax band Grow and have also supported the purchase of equipment for young artists.
Music is a huge part of The Grayston Unity. Over the years we’ve hosted an eclectic mix of
live music, folk and roots, jazz, DJs, open mic nights, spoken word, poetry, film, art, creative writing, music quizzes and theatre.
We’re also the founders of TOWN grassroots music festival and co-founders of the Halifax Festival of Words , working with The Book Corner and venues across Halifax to celebrate music, spoken word, books, authors and creativity.
Music matters to us in the bar too. Expect an eclectic soundtrack — but not at a volume that gets in the way of a good conversation.
Want to see what’s happening at the venue?
See upcoming live music and events →
Since opening in 2016, The Grayston Unity has received recognition including
Yorkshire Post Pub of the Week, Calderdale CAMRA Pub of the Season, inclusion in several editions of the CAMRA Good Beer Guide, and Yorkshire & Humberside Parliamentary Pub of the Year 2018.
We were also named Bar of the Year at the 2018 Halifax Courier Business Awards and featured by The Guardian among the UK’s top pubs for live music.
Awards are nice, but what matters most is remaining an independent Halifax bar and music venue where people can meet, talk, discover new music and find something a little different.
For more about the bar itself, our drinks, spaces and location, discover our Halifax bar →
You can also read more about what makes us distinctive in our guide to
the best bars in Halifax →
Grayston was the family name of the founder’s mother and is used in her memory. Until the 1950s, members of her family owned a brewery in the centre of Keighley, with pubs including the Turkey Inn at Goose Eye.
Unity represents something simple: a belief in the goodwill of people, community and bringing people together.
Today, you’ll find The Grayston Unity at 8 Horton Street, Halifax, close to Halifax railway station and The Piece Hall.
We’re a popular stop for people heading to Piece Hall gigs, as well as an independent grassroots music venue in Halifax in our own right.
Looking for more information about the bar, drinks and our spaces?
Discover our Halifax bar →
Planning your next visit?
See what’s on at The Grayston Unity →
