A Student’s Nightlife Guide to Bristol

Bristol might be underrated for its music scene, but its contributions to UK music are huge, with bands like Massive Attack and IDLES originating from here. The city has one of the biggest underground scenes in the country, making for some unforgettable nights out.

Freshers Week

Welcome to Bristol! As you settle into the city, we’ve put together the ultimate Freshers guide to help you discover the best nightlife spots. From bars and clubs to venues and more, we’ve got you covered.

• Stokes Croft: Stokes Croft has it all for nightlife in Bristol. Home to clubs like Lakota, this area showcases the city’s underground scene. The area also has plenty of cool bars and venues.

• Park Street: Park Street is another lively area in Bristol, packed with a variety of bars. Whether you’re in the mood for pints, cocktails, just dancing or all of the above, Park Street has something for everyone.

• Old Market: A historic part of the city, Old Market is closely tied to the LGBTQ+ community, hosting up to five festivals annually. With a range of bars and clubs like To The Moon and the Phoenix pub, Old Market offers a fun nightlife experience.

Live Music

• O2 Academy Bristol: One of the city’s most diverse venues, O2 Academy Bristol features performances from artists across all genres. It functions as both a club and live music venue, but the live gigs are where it shines, with high-quality production.

• The Louisiana: A 140-capacity family-run venue, The Louisiana has been a staple for Bristol gig-goers since 1996. Hosting bands like Super Furry Animals and Placebo in its early days, it continues to be a key venue for emerging bands. Attending a gig here gives you bragging rights to say you saw them first!

• Thekla: One of the UK’s most unique venues, Thekla is a converted 1950s trading ship now hosting a variety of gigs from indie rock to reggae. Its intimate setting makes it the perfect place to catch your favourite underground acts. It really is the boat that rocks!

Clubs

• Basement 45: Opened in 2009 and formerly known as The Mandrake, Basement 45 is an underground club with two floors and a 300-person capacity. The venue is musically diverse, featuring a range of club nights hosted by local promoters and showcasing both emerging DJs and professionals.

• The Fleece: The Fleece is a live venue that also hosts impressive club nights. Known for featuring iconic bands like Oasis, Radiohead, and The White Stripes, its themed rock music nights are especially popular with students. Here, you can dance to music from almost any decade.

• Motion: One of Bristol’s largest and most exciting clubs, Motion has been previously voted the best club in the UK by DJ Mag. This venue attracts ravers from all over, hosting special guests from across the globe. A night at Motion is always a massive party.

Hopefully this helps you navigate the nightlife of Bristol a bit better, ensuring you make the most of your nights out in this incredible city and your time as an Urban Student.

Published: 06.08.24 by Phoebe Clutton