The Exchange, Sturminster Newton

The Exchange is more than just a music venue: it offers a diverse programme of music, theatre, cinema and community events. At its heart is a community centre but it does rather a fine impression of being a commercial venue. The website offers a taste of the programme on offer and the professionalism with which The Exchange operates. It has a flourishing programme of events and a growing audience keen to catch something different and of good quality.
• Old Market Hill, 01258 475137, stur-exchange.co.uk

The Lazy Lizard, Weymouth

Take a surf-orientated style coupled with a mix of music from indie to hip-hop, funk, reggae and ska – all the good stuff basically – throw in cool live bands and DJs upstairs and down and you have yourself a chilled, enjoyable night out at one of Weymouth's best venues. It sits directly opposite the beach and during the day the tables out front are the perfect place for people-watching while slurping a cappuccino or two. The venue has welcomed everything from new bands to established names looking for a more intimate gig, and continues to support the local live music scene both within its walls and on the beach across the road at larger events.
• 52-53 The Esplanade, 01305 766901, thelazylizard.co.uk

The Three Compasses, Charminster

What it lacks in size this pub more than makes up for in its welcome. The bar is an "intimate" space, but they love their live music and never ask you to turn it down. On the outside it's your typical village pub, but inside you will find two bars and a skittle alley. Anything from a three-piece outfit upwards manage to squeeze into the venue and still play as if it were Wembley. Whether you're a local or a new kid in town, you'll get the same warm reception. Among musicians in the area, an intimate gig at the Compasses is high on the "things to do before I die" list. Local jazz stalwart Rodney Teague hosts the area's only jazz jam session here.
• 9 The Square, 01305 263618

The Ropemakers, Bridport

Bridport has its own annual hat festival, and PJ Harvey also famously hailed from here. The Ropemakers stands out as the town's live music pub, offering a diverse selection of live acts. A quick glance at the website details what you can expect, and reflects the venue's commitment to live music. There's also a hearty and well-priced menu on offer in this quirky, friendly and deservedly popular venue.
• 36 West Street, 01308 421255, theropemakers.com

Finns, Weymouth

Perhaps one of the longest-established live music venues in Weymouth and attracting a diverse crowd of all ages, Finns offers a mixed program of regular gigs and a crowd that likes to have a good time. You always seem to bump into somebody you know from the area within its walls. If you're lucky, you'll get to meet landlord Steve Perry (not to be confused with the former Journey frontman). I've spent many an enjoyable night in Finns whether on the stage or in the crowd and have always left in high spirits. The layout of the venue makes it possible to get right up to the band or stand towards the back and have a conversation without shouting "yeah!" at each other on a continuous loop. Good times!
• 26 Westham Road, 01305 778098, finns-weymouth.co.uk

The Electric Palace, Bridport

Built as a state-of-the-art cinema in 1926, the New Electric Palace closed its doors in 1999 and lay derelict for years before local artist and writer Peter Hitchin bought it in 2003 and reopened it as an arts and live music venue. The new owner retained many of the building's original art deco features, including a portrait of Bob Hope in the circle foyer, and enhanced it with lavish features – a five-metre screen for the back of the balcony depicts Alice through the Looking Glass, contributed by Ralph Steadman, a patron of the Palace. The venue was a finallist in Rock The House's Best Small Live Venue 2012 award.
• 35 South Street, 01308 428354, electricpalace.org.uk

Sixty Million Postcards, Bournemouth

This is an indie venue in the truest sense, with a mixed crowd of students and older locals drawn by the eclectic range of music that includes live bands, DJs, hip-hop, and the legendary Dirty Soul nights. The venue also doubles as a gallery for art events and hosts vintage clothing sales. In addition to the music, the decor ("chic grunge" with battered sofas and "granny" lampshades) and the ambience, they also do a nifty range of food, including 13 different burgers (with three veggie options) and drinks, with a good selection of mojitos. A guaranteed good – but always different – night out.
• 19 - 21 Exeter Road, 01202 292 697, sixtymillionpostcards.com

Mr Kyps, Poole

Similar in size and capacity to the Electric Palace, Mr Kyps differs in focusing entirely on live music, subsidising the door take from local and up-and-coming rock, indie and metal bands with that of the ever-lucrative tribute acts. The large stage and spacious green room facilities are more like those of more major UK venues, making it a particular favourite of touring bands.
• Parr Street, Lower Parkstone, 01202 748 945, mrkyps.net

Quicksilver Mail, Yeovil

As the name suggests, the Quicksilver Mail is a 17th-century coaching inn, situated on the southern approach to Yeovil (just over the border in Somerset). It has a purpose-built function room where bands of every hue have appeared since the 1970s. (It used to be a favourite of London-based jazzers such as Dick Morrisey and Jim Mullen.) Landlord Pete Lamden, something of a music promoter himself, took over the place in 2002 and has extensively refurbished the pub, adding a large restaurant and providing accommodation.
• Hendford Hill, 01935 424721, quicksilvermail.com

Royal Portland Arms, Portland

This funky little locals' pub has been turned into a live music venue by its owners Kim, a touring musician himself, and his wife Jill. Despite its size, blues, roots and folk bands from around the world appear here regularly, and the walls of the "stage" (more accurately described as "the bit where the bands shoehorn themselves in") are decorated with their tour posters. The pub provides an extensive range of real ales and ciders, and if you time it right you might leave with a bag of freshly caught scallops or mackerel bought from a local fisherman who's dropped in for a pint.
• 40 Fortuneswell, 01305 862255