Bristol is a city renowned the country over for its nightlife. If you’ve just moved to the city, it’s likely that you don’t need to be reminded of the buzzing bar, club, and music scene that draws in punters from all corners of the South West – but if you’ve been looking for a hand navigating yourself through the endless venues Bristol has to offer, you’ve come to the right place.
Keep reading for a complete guide to the Bristol bar scene.
The Apple
Welsh Back, Floating Harbour
A cider bar on a boat. It doesn’t get much better than selecting a pint from The Apple’s extensive menu and taking it out to gaze upon the water while the summer sun gently sets in the background. This converted Dutch barge bar is moored in the harbour, offering stunning panoramic views of the waterfront and an impressive range of both locally and internationally produced ciders.
The Canteen
80 Stokes Croft
A community-focused bar with live music and events throughout the week, The Canteen can be found in the buzzing Stokes Croft area, with indoor and outdoor seating ready to house Bristol locals whatever the weather. The Canteen serves a delicious selection of locally sourced food and drinks, with a menu that communicates its passion for the promotion of sustainability.
The Christmas Steps
11 Christmas Steps
Nestled at the bottom of one of Bristol’s oldest shopping streets sits The Christmas Steps, a cosy, quaint, and charming pub brimming with character. You’ll be lucky to bag a seat here as it’s always rammed with friendly-faced locals, but it’s more than worth getting up early for.
The Volunteer Tavern
9 New Street
An oh-so quintessentially Bristolian bar, The Volunteer Tavern will never disappoint. A traditionally leaning pub with a cool, modern vibe, every hidden nook and cranny of this place is adorned with colourful lights and vibrant decorations, and the beer garden is perfect for wiling away the summer evenings in. Enjoy their moorish pub grub menu and fantastic selection of craft beers and real ales.
The Old Duke
45 King Street
Step through the quaintly cobbled King Street and traverse back in time with a visit to The Old Duke, a legendary jazz and blues venue with live music ringing round its walls every night of the week. You can soak up the sweet sound of trumpets and saxophones alongside the great selection of beers, ales, and whiskies, and there’s plenty of room to pile on the benches outside if the sun’s out.
The Milk Thistle
Quay Head House, Colston Avenue
A speakeasy-style cocktail bar, The Milk Thistle sits surreptitiously behind an unassuming doorway in the heart of Bristol’s city centre. Once inside, you’ll be invited to sample an extensive list of expertly crafted creations in a stylish, intimate setting – ideal for bringing along someone you want to impress.
Left Handed Giant
Unit 9, Wadehurst Industrial Park
LHG Brewery sits just across the winding bridge that overlooks Castle Park, and has earned a well-deserved reputation that rings around the city due to its exceptional and innovative craft beers, producing deliciously bold flavours right in their brewery and taproom located in Finzels Reach. Make sure to visit if you like hop-forward IPAs, rich stouts, and sour ales – LHG has it all.
HMSS Bristol
Whiteladies Gate
Her Majesty’s Secret Service – a chic cocktail bar tucked away in the depths of Whiteladies Road, with an exterior so low-key you’d walk straight past it if you didn’t know where to look. Once inside, the sleek, sophisticated ambience is sure to set a note of secrecy to your evening, almost as if you should have received an invite to attend – expect plush decor, dim lighting, and a mouth-watering selection of original drinks that will have you emptying your bank account just for the chance to try them all.
The Lanes
22 Nelson Street
Where bowling alley meets bar, The Lanes is a cultural hub of entertainment, food, and not-too-badly-priced drinks. Nestled in the heart of the city, this venue has a retro-chic aesthetic and a dynamic music scene that comes alive at night, with live events that showcase a range of sounds from local bands to unforgettable DJs.
Kongs
13 King Street
What list of Bristolian venues would be complete without a mention of Kongs – the city’s arcade bar, where nostalgic gaming meets cocktails and comfort food. Kongs’ extensive selection of classic arcade games, from pinball machines to vintage consoles, is perfect for losing track of an afternoon with a big group of friends, with a retro-chic decor and laid-back atmosphere loved by locals throughout the city.
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