Bristol

Alright my luvver! So you’ve chosen Brizzle: Congratulations on a decision well made. It’s the UK’s 10th largest city, in 2006 it was voted the happiest place to live in the UK and there’s something to suit everyone. Tons of attractions (Bristol Zoo, the SS Great Britain, @Bristol), festivals a plenty (Harbour, Organic Food, Balloon Fiesta) and a bloody good night life to boot, it’s the jewel of the West Country. You’ve got loads of time to explore and forge your own adventure but to start you off on a good path, Gigwise has pulled together a list of places you need to know.

Pubs
You can’t go to the West Country without tasting the local cider and Bristol has a few pubs dedicated to it. And it’s not just the tramp juice or rubbish you swigged secretly underage. Moored on Welsh Back, The Apple is a dedicated cider bar on a boat which offers around 40 different ciders and apple drinks and The Coronation Tap up in Clifton is famed for its Exhibition Cider – so strong that it’s only sold in halves.

If a more traditional tipple is what you fancy, there are hundreds of pubs across the city. The Hatchet on Frogmore Street is Bristol’s oldest pub, licensed in 1606.  Today it’s a favourite of the rock crowd and right next to The Carling Academy it makes a good place for a pre gig drink. 

If you’re after cheap drinks on a student budget, Scream pubs The White Hart is at the top of Park Street and The Rising Sun over on Gloucester Road, while there’s a Lloyds Bar at Harbourside if you’re after a cheesy night out.

Clubs
Bristol has a club to suit every musical need.  Ramshackle on a Friday night at the Carling Academy is a favourite on the indie scene.  As one of the biggest indie nights in the UK, the last year has seen performances from Mark Ronson, Preston from The Ordinary Boys and The Fratellis all playing old classics and new favourites. The Cooler on Park Street has a Britpop night on a Friday and Native’s good for drum n bass. The award winning superclub Oceana always has a queue snaking outside it. It’s got five bars, two clubs and plays commercial dance and cheesy disco.  Despite the expensive drinks, it’s popular with both locals and students. 

Venues
Bristol’s a stop off point for almost every touring band. The good ship Thekla Social (yes, it’s really a boat floating in water) has a stage and dance floor in its hull and is proving a favourite of many up-and-coming acts.  The Louisiana may be small and very, very hot at times, but it’s seen the likes of The Libertines, The Strokes and The White Stripes early in their careers. Bigger bands grace the Carling Academy’s stage and Bristol Uni’s student union has its fair share of the indie action in its school hall like Anson Rooms.

It’s a big city so like anywhere else you should be careful when walking around at night.  Castle Park can attract some undesirables so best not walk through alone when it’s quiet or dark.  Southmead, Hartcliffe and St Pauls have had problems with drugs and crime.

Broadmead’s the place to go if you’re after high street stores and Cribbs Causeway in the north of the city is a shopping mall with 135 shops. Park Street’s good for independent clothes shops: BS8 is a must for picking up retro clothing and new designers at very reasonable prices. St Nicholas Market in the Old City has loads of food stalls, craft and material stands and clothing.     

Bristol is the birthplace of Trip Hop – Massive Attack, Tricky and Portishead were all founders of the Bristol Sound. Jungle supremo Roni Size is also a Bristol lad and Kid Carpet’s a local legend for his sets of “kiddy disco punk” and “shit hop” played on toy instruments.

Only Fools and Horses was set in Peckham but actually filmed in Bristol. Nelson Mandela House is really Whitemead House on Duckmoor Road in the south of the city. Legend has it David Jason took one of the blow up dolls from the famous episode to a Bristol City match.

Casualty, Skins and Teachers were also filmed in Bristol.

Harry Potter was based on a young boy that JK Rowling met in Bristol as a child.

Famous Bristolians include the Friday Night Project’s Justin Lee Collins, comedian Lee Evans and Blackadder / Time Team’s Tony Robinson.