Glastonbury's once-secret Underground Piano Bar - how to find it

Glastonbury Festival has officially thrown open its gates for 2024, marking the start of five days of music and art. With over 150,000 festival-goers descending on the Somerset farm, the event will transform into a miniature city brimming with wonder.

The festival is playing host to a large number of veterans as well as newcomers who are set to experience its offerings for the first time. While many attendees will be familiar with the larger stages, Glastonbury offers much more than just the headline acts, including some 'not-so-secret' locations that have become favourites among adventurous explorers.

The once-secret Underground Piano Bar at Glastonbury has now established itself as one of the best urban legends associated with the festival, sparking debates about its very existence. Much like the Rabbit Hole, only a select few lucky festival attendees will actually gain entry.

So, if you're looking for entertainment beyond the obvious, here's what you need to know about locating the elusive Underground Piano Bar. Thanks to Paul, a die-hard Glastonbury Festival enthusiast and the mind behind Glastonbury Tips, your quest will be a lot easier.

Paul spent five years searching for the bar after first hearing a rumour about it on the BBC. One crucial detail to remember - its location changes, reports the Liverpool Echo.

The elusive Underground Piano Bar at the Glastonbury Festival is never constructed at the same spot, adding to the thousands of acres of grounds event-goers must explore. Paul, a regular attendee, shed light on some tips, jesting: "Look for a large hole, a small stage and a wooden frame. Just kidding. I wish I could tell you the secrets to finding it. All I can say is what happened to us in 2015. It has probably changed many times since then but that's what makes it fun."

He attributes his eventual success in uncovering the bar to sheer luck, having learned it was constructed by Irish travellers. His clue? A Gaelic 'Men at Work' sign spotted near the festivals Green Fields and Stone Circle areas.

Recalling the crucial moment, he revealed: "This must be it I thought. I asked a guy who was standing there and he categorically denied it was The Underground Piano Bar. He wouldn't say what it was apart from the fact that it was opening at Midnight on Friday. We just knew it was the place."

Despite festival maps and official guides withholding its location for obvious reasons, a much-needed hint came their way when they came across a large paper map at one of the stalls in the Greenpeace area. "As we lay on the grass sipping our ciders, I looked at the map. There in really faint font was the word piano. It was right in the same spot we found the men at work sign. Result," he said.

A random queue forming at an unanticipated spot further amplified their suspicions. Therefore, Paul bestowed one golden tip upon future explorers if an unusual line begins to form anywhere within the festival grounds, do not hesitate to join.

The venue, with a cosy capacity of around 50 people, is dwarfed by the vast crowds that flock to the festival. Once full, it operates on a strict one-in, one-out basis.

Reflecting on the experience, Paul shared: "This is the holy grail of Glasto! Once everyone was in, the live music started and it was brilliant. The stage is small and you have to be quiet because there are no acoustics. Some brilliant musicians played that night."

He continued: "We have had many amazing moments at Glastonbury. Discovering The Underground Piano Bar is one of them. It is telling that the first post on this website dedicated to just one stage is on The Underground Piano Bar. For me, that little bar captures what Glastonbury is all about. Don't get me wrong, I love the mass sing-alongs in front of The Pyramid Stage.

"But, The Underground Piano Bar is a truly unique experience. These are the experiences that make Glastonbury stand out from other music festivals and why after 52 years people still flock to Worthy Farm."

Paul's advice for festival-goers is to stay vigilant; Glastonbury Festival is full of surprises waiting to be discovered.