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 Classy bar/restaurant on the waterfront |
Welsh Back Bristol BS1 4SB United Kingdom +44 117 915 6060 http://www.aqua-restaurant.com |
This very classy, chic, waterfront venue caters for business people and shoppers in the day and young professionals in the evening, when it's a lot livelier. You can either just have a drink from their well-stocked bar (lots of interesting and unusual spirits, lagers and wines), or go for a meal. The Anglo-French (with a few twists) menu is varied enough to suit most tastes, with dishes such as crispy duck salad, crab and coriander fishcakes and beef fillet with mushrooms. House wine starts at £11 a bottle . Look out for the infamous chess/draughts board - the pieces are small glasses of evil-colored spirits (green one side and red the other). If you win a position, you drink the drink! Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Arty Relaxed Experiences by the River |
16 Narrow Quay Bristol BS1 4QA United Kingdom 0117 917 2305 |
Whether it's the snug colors and lighting that attract you during the winter, or the lavish outside set-up on the terrace in the summer, there is no doubt that the ambiance created at the Arnolfini cafe-bar will impress you. Designed by Bruce McLean, this minimalist bar impresses most with its deep red walls and mahogany bench seating. Complemented by a great dockside location, this is the place for lovers of fine art and literature to discuss the works in the adjoining gallery, which is consistently being voted as one of the best independent galleries outside London. The emphasis in the bar though is on fusing world cuisine with a cocktail menu to die for. Complement anything on the menu with a pint of your favorite ale or lager, and you'll really be living the life of luxury. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: bairuide |
 Winner of Real Ale Pub of the Year |
St Georges Road Hotwells Bristol BS1 5UU United Kingdom +44 117 940 6776 |
Small but perfectly formed is the best way to describe this pub. It's one tiny room with a bar, perched on the edge of a roundabout slightly out of town. But that doesn't stop people flocking here from miles around. Why do they bother? Well, it's the antithesis of a city-centre super pub and that's what the punters like about it. You won't find loud music, fruit machines, flashing lights etc. in here and if you even tried to buy an alco-pop or fizzy, tasteless lager, why, you'd be practically hung for treason! It's a real ale fan's paradise in here. There are always at least four different brews from independent breweries on draught, with a couple of guest ales usually on offer too. Check out their blackboard for the beer's vital statistics - how much a pint and more importantly, the alcohol percentage in each one. Some of these brews are lethal! Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Seafood and 101 types of beer |
Queen Charlotte Street The Old Granary Bristol BS1 4SB United Kingdom +44 117 905 8000 |
Housed in an enormous old Bzyantium-style building, this place is as popular for its funky basement bar as for its seafood. Head downstairs to try a few of their 101 types of beer or sample the wide range of equally delicious schnapps. Upstairs, the restaurant serves hearty Belgian cuisine - they're most famous for their massive pots of moules served with frites, but also offer dishes such as wild boar sausages and lobster. Kids are very welcome - up to two can eat for free (if under age twelve) if accompanied by adults and there is a good children's menu. One word of warning - if you fancy a quiet evening meal at the weekend, this is perhaps not the place to go. Friday and Saturday nights have a distinct club feel - bouncers on the door and DJs inside - and gets packed and noisy. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Cool, Relaxed and Fashionable Nightclub |
14 King St Bristol BS1 4EF United Kingdom 0117 927 2277 http://www.brownstonebar.com |
Brownstone is a cool, relaxed and fashionable club designed to recreate the desires of the truly cosmopolitan night out. Our initial impression was one of style and quality; we were impressed by the vibrant bar and late night lounge club designed for lovers of great music, fine surroundings and superior quality drinks. It may sound like a bit of a cliché, but Brownstone fuses together New York chic with Bristol cool. And it certainly doesn't stop there – we consistently enjoy Brownstone and the experience is a regular pleasure: that's because it's the hangout for everyone from the party set looking for the ultimate night out, to laid-back individuals looking for a cool environment in which to meet up with friends after work and while away the stresses of the day. Check it out – Brownstone won't disappoint! For further information on exclusive privileges and offers at this venue, visit ChicUK Bristol at www.ChicUK.net Review © 2007, Wcities |
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For all you oldest swingers in town |
The Watershed, Canon's Road Bristol BS1 5UH United Kingdom +44 117 929 1361 |
This large bar/restaurant boasts a fabulous location - right on the waterfront - attracts an over-21 crowd (often very much over) and gets very busy and loud at weekends. There's a small dance floor, with a disco glitter-ball suspended above it - perfect for your Travolta impersonation! And the music policy reflects the age of the customers; only records from the years 1957-1986 are played. As well as plenty of bar stools and sofas, there's also a large dining area, where you can get main courses (e.g. roasted herbed crusted cod, jambalaya of chorizo, chicken and shrimp etc.), or sandwiches. A kid's menu is also available and little ones are welcome during the day. At nights though, it turns into something of a pick-up place and you'll only survive by working your way through their wonderful cocktail menu! Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Funky house for the over-twenties |
Evolution, The Harbourside Bristol BS1 5UH United Kingdom +44 117 922 0330 |
All those funky house fans of the world ? get yourself down here for a continual evolution of music anthems that are sure to blow your mind. Guest DJs from Galaxy 101, Bubblegum, Belief or Aubergine will be spinning the discs, but arriving sharpish is advised - as the night goes on, the admission prices will put an increasing dent in your pocket. However, if you grab a club flyer from the advised pre-club bar, Brasshouse (The), next door, you can sometimes get in at a discounted rate. It's a night for over 20s only, and the dress code is described as "stylish and sexy", so make sure you dress to impress (they're strict about this). Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Deep beats on the boat |
East Mud Dock, The Grove Bristol BS1 4RB United Kingdom +44 117 929 3301 |
Thank goodness - a night where you don't have to listen to the same old house that every other club in the city seems to be playing. Those of you hankering after something a bit different (in both ambience and music) should make your way to this night, held on alternate Saturdays at the popular and slightly grungy club, The Thekla. It's mostly breakbeat, with side orders of disco, dub, superfunk and special effects - your ears will be ringing for days afterward. Resident DJs - Krishna, Sid Fossil, Aether, Tim Spin and Justin - work alongside special guests, and occasionally there's even a soundclash between the two!Attracting a mix of the trendy, slightly grungy and glammed-up customer, it's a very popular night with the city's more knowing and less Ibiza-obsessed clubbers. You will probably get frisked by the bouncers at the door - don't take it personally, it's policy. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Bristol's biggest drum n' bass night |
The Thekla The Grove Bristol BS1 4RB United Kingdom +44 117 929 3301 |
Born in 1996, this amalgamation of old and new school jungle beats has found its resting place at one of Bristol's longest-running venues. The queues on these nights are predictably long but the crowd - who take their clubbing very seriously - are in high spirits. As always with this place, the dress code isn't fixed, so turn up in whatever takes your fancy - it doesn't matter here, as all the focus is on delivering the music that supports the claim that this really is "the best Drum n' Bass night in the West." If you're lucky you might even catch one of their infamous breakdancing sessions in the upstairs bar - start practising spinning on your head now! Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Q-Burns Abstract Mes |
 Photo: Matthew George |
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Trendy waterfront bar |
Canons Road Bristol BS1 5TX United Kingdom +44 117 907 4287 |
Walking into E-Shed is like entering an artery; absolutely everything is a deep, vibrant red, including the walls, the bar, seating and even the tiles in the bathroom. Catering to a the funkier and young hipsters in the city, there is a different musical line up seven nights a week, including house, hip hop, funk and disco, as well snowboardng, skating and retro cartoons shown on a big screen in the evening. The bar menu includes a sinful selection of homemade stone baked pizza, salads and melts. An excellent variety of rum, bourbon and absinthe is availailable, as well as some unique cocktails like the double chocatini. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: richt... |
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Twice the clubbers dream |
The Harbourside, Canons Road Bristol BS1 5UH United Kingdom +44 117 922 0330 |
Walk past this venue on a weekend night and here's what you'll see - an enormous queue of glammed-up clubbers, most under 21, with the girls wearing very little and all the boys wearing identikit shirts. The number of people waiting to get in is testament to this place's popularity. It's slick, right on the waterfront, and offers two rooms in which to party - one playing popular chart hits and "cheesy" hits of yesteryear, the other devoted to all the latest club anthems - plus large dance floors, and plenty of seating to rest your legs. To get in, dress smartly, leave your jeans and trainers at home and bring ID (proof of age), or the enormous and strict (they have to be - it's that sort of place!) bouncers won't let you in. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Traditional, old pub in beautiful listed building |
17-18 King Street Bristol BS1 4EF United Kingdom +44 117 929 1763 |
This enormous old pub on busy King Street is popular with locals, students and tourists alike, mainly because the building itself is so ancient and beautiful and oozing historic charm. It's split into four areas, each with its own bar and plenty of nooks and crannies to hide away in. Real ale is big here, although they also stock the usual draught lagers and beers, and food is also served. This includes main meals such as Sirloin steak, red pepper lasagne etc. and bar snacks (baked potatoes, sandwiches and salads). Sunday lunches are also very popular. At weekends in the evening it becomes full of a slightly more boisterous crowd, so if you're after a quiet civilised drink, best to avoid this place Friday and Saturday evenings and try it in the daytime. They also host live bands on alternate Fridays. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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A pub with spy-holes! |
The Grove Bristol BS1 4QZ United Kingdom +44 117 926 5967 |
This pub is allegedly the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson's fictional Spyglass Inn, from his novel "Treasure Island" - look out for the spy-holes, which were used to watch for press-gangs, who were out to capture men and force them into a life at sea! Part of the Beefeater Restaurant chain, who specialize in traditional pub-grub, you can either get bar snacks or visit the restaurant upstairs (disabled access to bar only) and sample steaks or fish dishes. The large beer garden at the front, gets busy on a sunny day and it's popular with business people in the day and a real mix in the evenings. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Mike Hardwell |
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Old grooves and new tunes at club Evolution |
The Harbourside Bristol BS1 5UH United Kingdom +44 117 922 0330 |
Party animals, soul sisters, mad Motown fans and just about everyone else who appreciates a diverse range of music, will love this weekly event. With room one offering the best in commercial dance and chart anthems, and room two catering for those who prefer the good old grooves of 60's, 70's and 80's motown and soul hits. So, you can chop and change all night long from the groovy hits of old to the modernity of current favourites, in atmospheric mayhem. The dress code is smart/casual, meaning no trainers or blue denim. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Eat pizza and listen to actors emoting! |
33-34 King Street Bristol BS1 4DT United Kingdom +44 117 929 7712 |
Over 30 years old, this restaurant is a great choice if you fancy eating in the middle of a party! It gets extremely busy downstairs on weekends, with pizzas being passed over the heads of the drinking throng. The walls are covered with photos of the famous celebrities who have wandered in here after their show is over at the Old Vic theater next door. In fact, it has become somewhat of an institution; get in before 11p to stay late and watch out for "Mrs Renato," a classic Italian matriarch—what she says goes! Review © 2007, Wcities |
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17th century merchant's house, now a pub |
3-5 King Street Bristol BS1 4ER United Kingdom +44 117 926 0783 |
Built in 1664, three out of an original row of five timber-framed houses each of four storeys and a basement, have been combined to make this fascinating public house and restaurant. Built for wealthy merchants, the antiquity of the building has been tastefully preserved - there are several bars, cosy niches, a non-smoking area (daytime only), plenty of bench seating outside and a restaurant upstairs. There is a good variety of regular pub-grub dishes on the menu, an excellent selection of steaks, plus bar food in the evenings and a popular Sunday Lunch. Real Ales fans in particular can have a great time in here - choose from three varieties of Theakstons, Old Speckled Hen, Old Peculiar and Directors beer. Watch out, they're pretty potent! Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Peter Morris |
 Photo: James Nicholls |
 Photo: Kah-Lin Chong  |
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Rocker Heaven |
Wapping Road Bathurst Terrace Bristol BS1 6UA United Kingdom +44 11 7926 5978 http://www.thelouisiana.net/ |
With its riverside location and iron-grilled porches and balconies, this is Bourbon Street come to Bristol! Unfortunately this illusion somewhat evaporates once inside, where you'll find a rather ordinary (but nice enough) pub interior. Nevertheless, it's a very popular place and has a refreshingly mixed clientele - from boat-owners popping in for a quick pint to hordes of indie-kid students. Its commitment to live music also explains its draw: In its over 100 years of existence, The Louisiana has unearthed some music gems, and a long list of music greats have rocked out within its walls. Coldplay, The White Stripes, Travis, Stereophonics, and Amy Winehouse are just a few of the many great acts seen at The Louisiana, which is also an important venue for local rising stars. Booking is advisable. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Academics from far and wide |
The Harbourside, Canons Road Bristol BS1 5UH United Kingdom +44 117 922 0330 |
Add hundreds of students, two rooms and three nights together, and what have you got? Student mayhem at Evolution! With commercial chart music in one room, and house anthems in the other, the two resident DJs promise hours of non-stop dance for all those club-a-holic students out there. With cheap drinks thrown into the bargain, it makes for a popular and lively night out, whatever you prefer to shake your thing to! The dress code is casual, but no tracksuits are allowed and it's over 18s only, so bring ID if you don't want to be turned away by one of the enormous bouncers. The night is only open to NUS (National Union of Students) members, so bring your NUS card (or overseas equivalent) as well. There are actually three student nights held here, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays - the latter two nights go under the name of "Wedgies" but it's the same thing. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Enjoy jazz in this traditional pub |
45 King Street Bristol BS1 4ER United Kingdom +44 117 927 7137 |
Bursting at the seams every night of the week, an outsider might wonder what is so alluring about this somewhat quaint looking docklands venue. Well, just open the door and the live jazz music that pumps forth from the corner stage, complete with its piano, will tell you all you need to know - this is one place where jazz lovers can sit and tap their feet to great music whilst enjoying a pint or two. Surrounded by boisterous and slightly clubby establishments, it provides, in contrast, a more mellow atmosphere which attracts an older, more chilled-out crowd. Food, of the pub grub variety, is available and on a sunny day you'd do well to take advantage of their large courtyard at the front. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Peter Derrett |
 Photo: Marcus Wetherell |
 Photo: Cristina Onde |
 Photo: MaxDT |
 Photo: Mark West |
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Exceptional dockside drinking den |
Lower Guinea Street Redcliffe Bristol BS1 6TJ United Kingdom +44 117 927 3774 |
Right in the heart of the harbour, almost surrounded by water, this is a great place for a pint. It gets busy at the weekend, especially when it's sunny, when folk gather at its collection of tables right on the water's edge and enjoy their drinks and the setting - a sublime way to spend an evening! The clientele is very mixed, which adds to its charm and you'll find a cross section of Bristol in here - elderly locals, salty sea-dogs, young doctors and nurses from the nearby hospital, glammed-up clubbers and those just out for a quiet drink. Food is available at lunchtimes and early evenings, from the usual pub-grub (their seafood platter is rightly popular) to rather tasty Sunday Roasts. Make sure you ask the bar staff about the place's fascinating history and look out for the caves inside, one of which contains a replica of a skeleton! Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Stuart Thorn |
 Photo: geoff |
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Very Spanish |
57 Prince Street Bristol BS1 4QH United Kingdom +44 117 925 6014 |
If you are tired of shopping and sight-seeing, or just want to relax after a long hard day, then come straight to El Puerto. This bar and restaurant is filled with locals and tourists every night, thanks to its chilled-out ambience, friendly service and delicious Spanish and Mediterranean fare. You can come during lunch hour on weekdays, or when you intend to spend some quality time with friends or colleagues. The menu also offers some vegetarian dishes. Tea and coffee are served at the bar for those who don't prefer alcohol. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Acclaimed Organic Restaurant & Bar |
The Grove City Docks Harbourside Bristol BS1 4RB United Kingdom +44 117 925 1212 http://www.severnshed.co.uk/ |
This hot spot, housed in a former transport shed right on the water's edge, is many things to many people. To business people it's great for working lunches in chic surroundings; foodies love its innovative and mostly organic Middle Eastern/North African cuisine. To Bristol's hip young professionals this is the best place to come for a drink. It's drop-dead trendy and definitely somewhere to see and be seen. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Richard Whitcher |
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Legendary club on a boat |
East Mud Dock The Grove Bristol BS1 4RB United Kingdom +44 117 929 3301 |
The infamous Thekla is one of Bristol's oldest clubs located inside an iron ship moored in the harbour. Do not expect super-club glam, do not bother dressing up and definitely do not look for any frills. However, what you can expect is top music; downstairs the live acts and DJs get the dance floor moving and upstairs is often more lively. Hosting various nights, from jungle to break beats to garage and funk, the crowd attracted is a good mix. This is the only club in the city where you can gaze out of portholes at swans asleep on the water below! Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Daniel Bracken |
 Photo: MatHampson |
 Photo: smushed_cow |
 Photo: Alice Bottini-Hall |
 Photo: Peter Broderick |
 Photo: Benjamin Brown |
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Light up the harbourside |
The Waterfront, Canon's Road Bristol BS1 5UH United Kingdom +44 117 922 0382 |
With fabulous views over the harbour, this place is equally popular with families and business people at lunchtimes and beered-up, lively young things at night. Open until 1a Tu-Sa, it acts as a pre-club venue for the popular club Evolution next door and gets very busy and rather loud, as DJs play and people take to the small dancefloor. Dress smartly - if female that translates as lots of skin-tight lycra and if male, make sure you have your checked shirt and chinos on - or you may not be admitted. The bouncers are tough here, they have to be. For those after a quieter time, food is served daily until 8p and includes sandwiches, "lite-bites" (e.g. grilled sardines, mixed olives, pickled vegetables and ciabatta etc.) and main courses such as mussels cooked in white wine, and lamb's liver and bacon with potato and cabbage pie. Review © 2007, Wcities |