Gingerbread version of The Portland Arms, featuring brick-textured gingerbread walls, royal icing garland, hand-painted scenes in the windows, and a tiny gumpaste version of Georgie, the pub dog, sitting on the steps.

Closeup of the door and porch of the gingerbread Portland Arms pub where you can see a tiny gumpaste version of Georgie, the pub dog.

Gingerbread version of The Portland Arms pub in front of the actual pub.

Cas (the landlord) and Georgie (the pub dog) standing with the gingerbread replica of her pub sitting on the bar.

Last but not least for 2025, The Portland Arms. Another beautiful 19th century pub that has the best Sunday lunch in St Albans! And Georgie, the adorable pub dog. I had to include him sitting on the steps of the gingerbread house. #ThePortlandArms #gingerbread #pubsofstalbans #stalbans

A black and white photo of Henry Dartnall and The House of Lords from the band Young Knives, on stage at The Portland Arms, Cambridge, UK. The brothers are both playing guitars and leaning in to sing into the same microphone. A bright stage light is shining over The House of Lords’ left shoulder.

I really appreciate it when bands like @young-knives.bsky.social bring the things you associate with a big venue - custom lighting, banners, huge flags - to a place like #ThePortlandArms. It makes everything else about the show bigger too. Just like it did last night.

A black and white photo of Sarah Cosgrove from the band Low Girl, on stage at The Portland Arms, Cambridge, UK. She is playing a bass guitar and standing in front of an illuminated “Portland” sign.

It was good to catch up with #LowGirl touring their new album at #ThePortlandArms in Cambridge last night. Two years since they played the Blue Moon, the bigger room really suits their sound: inventive, melodic indie with sharp production.

Digital flyer for the gig. Background picture of cloaked and hooded rider with red eyes atop a black horse with bare trees and dark blue sky behind. The top left has the Scarecrow Corner logo. On the right side is the band's logos and names. Flyer text: Scarecrow Corner Strawberry Fair Presents... Remember... Remember... A Return To The Dark Special. Wednesday 5 November at The Portland Arms Cambridge. 7:30 to 11pm £8 advance £10 OTD. Orme - psychedelic sludgedoom. Terra - atmospheric black metal. DJ Steerpike.

Scarecrow Corner benefit gig for Strawberry Fair at The Portland Arms Cambridge. Bands are black metal Terra and phychedelic doomsters Orme. Tickets £8.80 - £10 on door
theportlandarms.co.uk/wp/product/t...

#livemusic #cambridge #theportlandarms #strawberryfair #scarecrowcornerstrawberryfair

A black and white photo of Reid Bateh of the band Bambara, on stage at The Portland Arms, Cambridge, UK. Reid is at the front of the stage with his bandmates behind him. His right arm is raised as he sings into the microphone that he holds in his left hand.

Last night’s @bambaranyc.bsky.social gig at #ThePortlandArms - a masterclass in taking advantage of a small venue to interact with the crowd and bring them into the show. Loud, and sweaty, and dynamic in all the right ways.

A black and white photo of Nell Mescal on stage at The Portland Arms, Cambridge, UK. Nell is holding her microphone stand with her left hand and her mic in her right as she stands in front of a plectrum-shaped sign reading “The Portland”.

Really lovely atmosphere at #ThePortlandArms in Cambridge last night for @nellmescal.bsky.social’s gig - friendly and supportive and inclusive. And not only did the crowd know all the words, but they sang along _in tune_! A pleasure to be there.

Super budget white A4 promo poster, you can see that the print cartridge is running out. Poster reads: The Frank & Walters 9:00 The Pony Collaboration 8:00 - 8:30 DOORS 7PM COMPLETELY SOLD OUT

The pinnacle of my #musical career to date! In 1993, with my childhood friend, I saw #TheFrankAndWalters supported by some unknown band called #Radiohead. Having followed and loved the Frank's for 30 subsequent years, this weekend 'my' band […]

[Original post on mastodon.world]

A black and white photograph of Chuck Prophet playing guitar on stage at The Portland Arms, Cambridge, UK.

It’s not every day that a US singer-songwriter brings his five-piece Cumbia band to #ThePortlandArms. But on Thursday night, that’s exactly what @chuckprophet.bsky.social did. It’s a very good show indeed. And there can never be too much cowbell.

A high-contrast black and white photo of Anouska Sokolow from the band Honeyglaze on stage at The Portland Arms, Cambridge, UK. Lit brightly from her left, she is playing a rectangular electric guitar and singing into a microphone on its stand.

Drums that are sometimes jazz, guitars that are sometimes post-punk, and vocals that are sometimes Sprechgesang - all making for a gig that was never less than excellent at #ThePortlandArms on Tuesday night. #Honeyglaze really know how to do the quiet-loud thing, and their latest album is so good!

A photo of Joseph Evans, the lead singer of Manchester band WH Lung, taking a well-deserved break between songs. He is on the stage of The Portland Arms in Cambridge, UK. His left hand holds his microphone stand as he looks down and to his right.

I’ve started a run of 4 gigs in 4 nights. If they’re all as good as #WHLung were at #ThePortlandArms yesterday, I’m going to be (a) very happy, and (b) exhausted. Drums, synths, two guitars, frontman: a classic lineup lifted by the playing, the harmony, and the irresistible rhythm. Loved that.

John Otway on stage at The Portland Arms in Cambridge, UK. His shirt is open, his left hand is holding a microphone to his mouth, and his right hand is reaching out of the frame.

As things stand, @thejohnotwayband.bsky.social has played over 5200 gigs. But I hadn’t caught one before last night at #ThePortlandArms in Cambridge, which was also my first for 2025.

Funny, and self-deprecating, and then - when you’re least expecting it - really quite poignant. Very glad I went.

Been a bit quiet, as I've been visiting friends in Cambridge. A great weekend, much needed for my MH. Fantastic gig by the Rush tribute band #MovingPicturesUK at the #ThePortlandArms with a friend yesterday. Highly recommended - they're astonishingly good.