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= The Hunter Club Bar & Venue = This article is about The Hunter Club Bar & Venue located in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, UK.

The Hunter Club is a grassroots music venue, bar and multi-purpose event space in the heart of Bury St. Edmunds. The venue is located a short walk from the town centre, is a free house and independent bar and venue.

Built in the 16th century and once one of the most prominent inns and breweries of Bury St Edmunds The Saracens Head was trading as early as 1730 from the site on Guildhall Street but trading came to an abrupt end for the Saracens head when bankruptcy proceedings forced the sale of the property in 1901. The building was auctioned shortly after and The Royal British Legion moved in and called it home for over 100 years but once again financial issues meant the building fell in to disrepair and it was sold in 2008. Some original features remain and the original saracens heads dating from the 1800’s that once took pride of place above the front door can now be found inside the venue.

A new buyer was found and extensive renovations took place before reopening in 2009 as The Hunter Club and has since established itself as one of Bury St Edmunds leading independent venues for live music and private hire.

The Hunter Club are dedicated to supports local creative performers and artists, and provide a much-needed, fully-equipped venue for independent music promoters. They are proud to support a wide range of local grassroots bands and musicians, as well as accommodating more well-known acts.

In addition to Their regularly sold out gigs, comedy nights, and community events, they also provide facilities for numerous youth and community projects/events including Bury Fringe Festival, BurySound Band Competition, West Suffolk College, National Citizen Service, Noise Solution, the Bury Singer Songwriters Competition, Bury St Edmunds Film Society, and many others. They provide free space for community groups, and work closely with local organisations in their fundraising efforts.

In 2019 they were awarded the Best Local Music Venue award by the NMG awards, another local institution celebrating the vibrant local music culture in East Anglia.

Residency (1823 - 1904)
1823: Jemima Everett

1830: Henry Everard

1839: Thos Gardine

1844: Mary Ann Gardener

1855: John Bishop

1861: John Bishop, Victualler, 65, Born in Pakenham, Suffolk

1861: Charlotte Bishop, Wife, 65, Born in Ingham, Suffolk

1861: Charlotte Bishop/Daughter/27/Bloomsbury, Middlesex

1861: Robert Bishop, Son, 24, Friston, Suffolk

1861: Alfred Bishop, Son, Gun Maker, 20, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

1861: Nathaniel A Lamer, Lodger, Jeweller, 23, Swaffham, Norfolk

1861: William Stacy, Lodger, Private in Army, 25, Rocklemet, Norfolk

1865: John Bishop

1869: Robert & Alfred & Miss Charlotte Bishop

1874: R A & C Bishop

1891: Robert & A & C Bishop

1904: Mark Webb

The Saracens Head (1730 - 1901)
At 63 to 65 Guildhall Street, the Saracens Head inn closed down, owing to the bankruptcy of Bishop's Brewery. The Great Head, as it was often known, dated back well into the 18th century and had included the Brewery for 'Bishop's noted Bury Ales'. When put up for sale, there was no bid for the Brewery, or the Saracens Head and its first tied house, the nearby Golden Lion. The other tied house was the Coach and Horses in Honey Hill, and this was withdrawn from sale at a bid of £1,800. Later the empty Saracen's Head became home to the British Legion Club.

The Royal British Legion (1904 - 2008)
The Royal British Legion moved in and called it home for over 100 years but once again financial issues meant the building fell in to disrepair and it was sold in 2008 to Andrew Hunter.