The Record Room, nestled below The Commercial Bar on Catherine Street, is a hidden gem. Established in 2018, this stone-walled, candlelit basement performance venue has quietly and without fuss devoted itself to providing a warm and welcoming platform for Limerick’s rich social and cultural scene.

Music is without a doubt the mainstay of this small and intimate space, and the live music program regularly features the cream of local and national indie and alternative rock. For lovers of electronic music, a regular rotation of some of the city’s most respected vinyl DJs demonstrate what the top-class sound-system is capable of on any given Saturday night. Don’t expect chart topping anthems though. The hip-hop, funk, soul, disco and house soundtrack is decidedly individual and attracts a fun, eclectic crowd that match the vibe perfectly.

But the Record Room is so much more than just a gig spot. It’s a cultural melting pot and one of the most diverse event venues in Limerick. In 2019 it hosted the Richard Harris International Film Festival, Limerick Fringe Festival, and was a core host for the Limerick Soviet Centenary. The monthly Mic Drop Comedy Club regularly fills the Record Room to capacity, and mid-week Salsa dance classes are often raucous affairs and a key social hub for Limerick’s international community. Monthly flea markets and vintage fashion shops pop up regularly at weekends, Rugby fans can take refuge underground with a good pint and a cozy corner to watch key matches on the big screen, and theatre groups regularly put on small productions on the Record Room’s delightful red-curtained stage.