For a city with one of the most thriving and storied underground music scenes, Bristol can fly under the radar. The hip and trendy harbourside hub has made huge waves in music for decades, from the trip-hop of Massive Attack and Portishead to the punk rock of IDLES. With such a lively underground scene, Bristol has some amazing nights out.
The Best Student Nights in Bristol
To kick off the week, The Brass Pig on a Monday has you covered. The cosy two-storey pub’s Utopia Mondays is a student haven, with tickets starting at just £3. For a ticket that’s as cheap as chips, you can enjoy unlimited access to all of The Brass Pig’s game stations, arcade machines, ping pong & beer pong tables for as long as the night takes you.
Wednesdays are best spent at OMG. Always reliable for a cheap and crazy night out, the lively gay bar’s student Wednesday nights are one of the best cheap things to do in Bristol, with drinks from just £1. With its state-of-the-art sound-systems, buzzing atmosphere, and prices that barely scratch the surface of a student loan, OMG is nailed on for a midweek party.
Since it began on 19th September during fresher's week, FAAB Presents: Attic Thursdays at cult Stokes Croft favourite The Full Moon & Attic Bar has become the perfect plan for a Thursday. With the best local talent on the decks and the finest Bristolian bevs on tap, this genre-bending night is an unforgettable mid-week treat. It’s got £3 lager & cider pints, £2.50 cans, 3 shots for £7.50 all night long, and has two rooms of quality drum & bass, garage, house, disco, and more. What else do you need?
When the weekend hits, you just need some guilty pop pleasures. Besides being one of the best student clubs in Bristol, The Fleece hosts some killer club nights every Friday and Saturday, and caters to all your favourite genres. A night at this legendary venue after a week of hard study has club nights ranging from a celebration of alternative culture like their Choker night to a cavalcade of emo anthems like at The Black Parade. If those two club nights are a little too intense for you then fear not, as their Club Tropicana night proudly proclaims to be the UK’s biggest 80s club night. Saturday at The Fleece has Propaganda, where your weekend party will be soundtracked by the biggest and best indie belters.
The weekend doesn’t stop there, as Bristol’s iconic boat-turned-party pad Thekla has its Pop Confessional club night every Saturday. Confess your sins and revel in your favourite guilty pleasures, including all the best pop classics old and new. Once you’ve tired of ABBA, One Direction, and Britney, head up to the top deck for an infectious blend of throwback R&B, hip hop, garage, funk, and soul.
Freshers Week Bristol
So, you’ve just moved over to Bristol and you’re looking to find your feet in this busy new city. Well luckily, we’ve got your back with this Freshers guide, where you’ll find all the best places to go on a night out. Whether its bars, clubs, venues and more, we’ve got you covered.
The best places to go out in Bristol
Stokes Croft
Stokes Croft is an example of just how good the nightlife in Bristol is. As the centre of the city’s counterculture and alternative nightlife, here you’ll find clubs like the iconic Lakota and bars like the buzzing Full Moon & Attic Bar. Boasting some of the best places in Bristol’s underground scene, the club nights here will take you to a whole new world.
Park Street
The gateway from the city centre to the popular student suburb of Clifton, Park Street is another area in Bristol that is absolutely thriving. This beautiful Georgian street boasts a plethora of bars that you may need more than one trip to fully experience. Whether its pints, cocktails or a bit of a dance you’re after, Park Street has you covered.
Old Market
A historic and colourful part of the city, Old Market is an area that has strong ties to the LGBTQ+ community, with as many as five festivals being held here each year. There are plenty of bars and clubs to choose from including To The Moon, The Gin Palace and the Phoenix pub.
Live Music in Bristol
The O2 Academy in Bristol is one of the most diverse venues that you’ll find in the city, with huge names from all kinds of genres taking to the stage. It doubles as both a club and live music venue but it’s the live performances that really get the greatest atmosphere.
With huge bands bringing their best material and DJs taking to the decks amongst high quality production value, you can’t go wrong with a gig here.
The Louisiana is a small 140 capacity family-run venue that holds a huge space in the hearts of Bristol gig-goers. First used for gigs in 1996 where it hosted Super Furry Animals and Placebo, it has since become a key venue that tests out some of the best new bands.
There have been so many names through these doors that have gone on to do great things and perform in front of thousands of people. If you go to a gig at The Louisiana, you can claim to have seen the next big thing first.
Thekla can safely claim to be one of the most unique venues in the UK. Originally a trading vessel in the 50’s, it was eventually abandoned and moved to its new home in Bristol in the 80’s. This converted boat is now a music venue and it hosts all kinds of gigs from indie rock to reggae.
An intimate space, Thekla is definitely the place to see your favourite underground acts. It’s a unique gig experience.
The best student clubs in Bristol
Basement 45 was opened in 2009 and was formerly called The Mandrake. The underground space has two floors and a capacity of 300. Musically it is quite diverse, you’ll find local promoters putting on a whole range of club nights. They’ve had an incredible selection of names through the door.
You can find anything here from the latest upcoming DJ to the seasoned professionals.
The Fleece is a live venue that can also put on some quite impressive club nights. Famous for having names such as Oasis, Radiohead and White Stripes some through the door, you can find some suitably themed rock music nights.
A place that is always popular with students, you can find sounds from almost any decade here as you dance the night away.
You’ll find Lakota nestled in the heart of Stokes Croft. This is a nightclub that has been laying down a marker in Bristol with its phenomenal sound-system. It’s a place that always manages to pull off massive line ups of the very best DJs.
A three-storey building with a warehouse-style interior, it features four different dancefloors and a private garden. It’s one of the biggest and best in Bristol, and for good reason.
Motion is one of the biggest clubs in Bristol and one of the most exciting in the UK. Previously voted as the best club in the UK by DJ Mag, this is a place where ravers flock to all the time just to say that they’ve been.
You’ll find special guests here from every corner of the world and from the very top of their games. Whatever the night, it’s always a massive party at Motion.
SWX is a huge open space that makes for some thrilling club nights. With an emphasis on high production values, they put on shows with huge light shows and pyrotechnics. Be prepared to see sets from the biggest of names here. There’s always a brilliant atmosphere at SWX.
Freshers FAQ’s
When does Freshers week take place in Bristol?
Freshers in Bristol will be from Saturday 18th September to Sunday 26th September.
Do I need to provide ID at events?
Yes, as a requirement of law all bars, pubs, clubs and venues will require some form of valid ID which proves you are at least 18 years of age. Accepted forms of ID include a driver’s license or passport.
Will I need a facemask?
Yes. Although the law has now changed, within some premises, you may still need to wear a mask, with each individual hospitality venue able to apply their own rules. You may be asked to wear one when moving around a restaurant or bar for example but not when seated. You’ll also need to wear a mask if travelling on public transport.
More about Bristol
Irrespective of whether you're a first time visitor to the city, a frequently returning guest or a lifelong inhabitant, our guides are essential reading for anyone looking to make the most of their time in Bristol.
nightlife
For a city with one of the most thriving and storied underground music scenes, Bristol can fly under the radar. The hip and trendy harbourside hub has made huge waves in music for decades, from the trip-hop of Massive Attack and Portishead to the punk rock of IDLES. With such a lively underground sc…
