Where To Go Out Out In Bristol

Made famous by Skins and loved by locals, Thekla is a one-of-a-kind venue. This boat-turned-club is now a cultural institution and has seen the likes of home-grown Massive Attack and Portishead grace its stage. Nowadays, it caters to both the dance and indie crowds – with a pop confessional every Saturday if you’re in the mood for a guilty-pleasure night out.

The Grove, East Mud Dock, BS1 4RB

Visit TheklaBristol.co.uk

Just five minutes from Bristol’s city centre in Stokes Croft is The Full Moon and Attic Bar. The two venues are joined, sharing an enormous bunting-laden courtyard which gives it a street party feel, especially in the summer. With room for 240 people, it’s also attached to a backpacking hostel. It regularly hosts rotating resident DJs, as well as semi-regular gigs with an impressive and eclectic music mix of ska, drum ‘n’ bass, hip hop and reggae. The spot is widely regarded as one of the best clubs in the country, so it’s well worth a visit.

1 North Street, BS1 3PR

Visit FMBristol.co.uk

As the name suggests, there’s not much wiggle room when this bar hits capacity, and it's never a quiet night. Its specialties are reggae, dub and dancehall – with the Bristol Reggae Society hosting events and regular Reggae Sundays – but dance music and tech-house is often on the bill too. Entry is usually just a fiver.

34 Portland Square, BS2 8RG

Visit @CosiesBristol

Lakota is the vast three-room venue, connected by a cavern of connected rooms, that feels like a throwback to the 90s rave scene. The music matches the vibe, drawing in big names across techno, jungle and dance – with some psytrance thrown in as well. Don your bucket hat for the upcoming Ross From Friends event. That said, there is a more wholesome side to Lakota – the Lakota Gardens. Opened in lockdown, the outdoor space hosts vintage markets, day festivals, as well as comedy events. 

6 Upper York Street, BS2 8QN

Visit Lakota.co.uk

Motion is one of those venues that has gone down the factory-turned-superclub line, and it's up there with the best of them. Industrial, cool and massive, it can hold 2,500 attendees and draws in big-name DJs like Andy C and DJ EZ. Keep your eyes out for the upcoming BRAT rave. If that's not your bag, its sister venue Marble Factory regularly hosts up-and-coming and established indie and alternative bands. 

74-78 Avon Street, BS2 0PX

Visit Motion-Bristol.com

As cool as Bristol’s underground music scene is, sometimes all you really need is a cheesy night out full of sing-a-longs. While its live music line-up is pretty varied – expect everything from indie to metal – its club nights are full of pop, hip hop and RnB. It's big on Freshers Week, and its student nights are always buzzing.

15 Nelson St, BS1 2JY

Visit SWXBristol.com