The Artyst
A café and events space devoted to Cambridge's Syd Barrett.
The Artyst is a café by day and a bar and events space in the evening, at 54–56 Chesterton Road. Its website presents it as a dedicated Syd Barrett heritage venue, run with the approval of the Barrett estate.
Who was Syd Barrett
Roger Keith Barrett was born in Cambridge on 6 January 1946 and went by Syd from his teens. He co-founded the rock band Pink Floyd in 1965 and left the music industry in 1974, afterwards living a private life, painting and gardening in the city. He died at home in Cambridge on 7 July 2006, aged 60. The venue's connection is local pride: the website calls him one of Cambridge's favourite sons.
What happens here
The programme includes talks, live music, art workshops, wine tastings and exhibitions, along with a walking tour of Barrett's Cambridge. Photographs hang on the walls. Beneath the café, the venue has a performance and workshop room.
Practical notes
The venue is about ten minutes' walk over Jesus Green from the Corn Exchange. Opening hours are not published on the website, so check ahead before a special trip. The site also invites musicians and supporters to get in touch about its events.
Nearby
Within a few minutes' walk
