Student Guide to Bristol Clubs 2016
Posted on: 05 Sep 2016Being a student can be pricey, tiring, and a lot of hard work... so we all need to blow off some steam now and again. This is a comprehensive list from a first hand Bristol-dwelling student that should make your nights a little easier...
The Lanes
Distance from city centre: 2 minutes
Price: £
The Lanes is located in the centre of Bristol on Nelson Street and is a great draw for students with a whole host of activities. As well as being a sports bar, bowling alley and pool hall it transforms itself into a great event venue most nights of the week - with Open Mic Nights and Waistman Weeklies gaming nights as well as club nights including Department S, MotorCity and guest acts and DJ's. Also a superb place to laze around on Sunday and take advantage of their Pizza deals with Buy One, Get One Half Price (also on Mondays!). This is a good place to go if you can’t stand the usual pop/house fare of Bristol clubs, as they tend to focus on funk, soul, Britpop, and rock ‘n’ roll. Click here for all upcoming events at The Lanes.
Thekla
Distance from city centre: 11 minutes
Price: ££
Thekla is one of Bristol’s most unusual and best loved nightclubs. Held in the body of a floating boat, their club nights often feature 2 for 1 drinks or huge discounts. This venue probably boasts the biggest range of themes, from a funk and soul night to an indie and alternative night, there is usually something to suit any taste. Alongside this, many nights start with a gig of some sort, and Thekla is a mecca for anyone into alternative/heavy/underground music. Click here to look at their upcoming club events.
Basement 45
Distance from city centre: 4 minutes
Price: £
Basement 45, previously known as Mandrake, has recently been updated and refurbished, leaving it as a clean, well thought out club with extremely cheap (sometimes free) ticket prices. Typically the type of music revolves around the typical clubbing scene of house, dance, techno, trance, dubstep, etc, but each artist and DJ is hand-picked and usually extremely well known in that field. They also host a selection of old-school raves throughout the year. Click here to see whats on.
Pryzm
Distance from the city centre: 6 minutes
Price: ££
Pryzm is one of the newer additions to Bristol’s nightclub scene, and boasts an incredibly futuristic, accessible, and high-class atmosphere. Although tickets can be a little pricier than some of Bristol’s cheap clubs, you get what you pay for, including some of the top DJs from around the world. They also run a 50% off event every Friday night, which is worth checking out. Their focus is very much on students, and many giveaways and offers are released on their social media pages. You can also book birthday parties and your own events. This years’ UWE Freshers welcome parties take place here, so tickets will probably sell out pretty quick! To see what’s on at Pryzm, click here.
The Fleece
Distance from city centre: 5 minutes
Price: £
The Fleece is one of Bristol's leading live music venues, steeped in history, and your dad probably saw Coldplay or Muse here before they were big. With gigs on almost every day of the week, The Fleece is always packed out. Every Friday and Saturday night they host themed club nights which include Ultimate Power, Nu Metal, Supersonic Brit Pop and more. It is also a venue for a number of the music festivals that take place across multiple venues in Bristol. Click here to see whats on.
Lakota
Distance from the city centre: 13 minutes
Price: ££
Lakota host a varied range of events, and although they specialise in jungle and house music, there is a dedicated metal scene burgeoning out of the club. Price is a hard one to gauge for this venue, as most club nights are around £5, but their longer and more intensive nights can be up to £30 as the live bands are non-stop and often start earlier in the day than other clubs. They are also one of the venues involved in Simple Things festival which is an incredible Bristol event showcasing some of the finest alternative talent from across the world. To view their events click here.
78 Bristol (formerly The Bunker)
Distance from city centre: 13 minutes
Price: £
The Bunker is Bristol’s only Student dedicated nightclub, and as such gives a ridiculous amount of offers, giveaways, and exclusive deals to students studying in Bristol. Their prices are usually pretty good, but if you want to splash out they do an extensive VIP package which ranges in price from £30 - £200. You can also get a free shot upon entry if you sign up to their mailing list, which seems a small price to pay. To check out their events page, click here.
Queenshilling
Distance from the city centre: 4 minutes
Price: £
This is Bristol’s friendliest nightclub, apparently, and one of its most successful LGBT clubs. Their manifesto states that anyone is welcome, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or race as long as you keep the vibe positive and have a good night. With Monday night karaoke and Tuesday ‘gameshow style’ nights with real prizes, this is a vibrant and entertaining club with a good sense of fun in the air. Their events are often fundraisers as well, which means that your wild night of drinking may do some good in the world! To check out their latest events, like their Facebook page here.
Motion/Marble Factory
Distance from city centre: 26 minutes
Price: ££
A music venue, skatepark and night club, this hybrid venue has a bit of everything. Although it can be a bit of a walk to get there, it should be well worth it; with top bands, DJs, and huge club nights that are possibly the best in Bristol. This club is also never quiet, with events happening pretty much all the time. They also do a lot of alternative nights including ska, punk, and metal alongside the usual house and dance nights. To view their events list, click here.
The Lizard Lounge
Distance from city centre: 15 minutes
Price: £
During term-time, The Lizard Lounge is one of Bristol’s most popular haunts for students. Situated on the ever-bustling Park Street, their selling point is their cheesy music that revolves around nostalgic classics, indie pop, and rock, and their cheap cocktails by the pitcher. A cheap and cheerful club for when you don’t want to spend a lot but still want to have a good time. Check out their website here.
Bierkeller
Distance from the city centre: 9 minutes
Price: ££
Although drinks can be pricey, the Bierkeller is host to Bristol’s biggest alternative club night, with heavy tracks played non-stop until 3:30am. The drinks can also be affordable on this night, as the offer states a free shot with every drink purchased. This is for all the metal/punk fans who can’t find a night to suit them, as the range here is superb. Psychokeller is every Friday from 11 but keep an eye on their other events here.
Article by:
Miri is an English literature student at the University of Bristol who enjoys folk-punk & math-rock music, trailing round art galleries, and playing video games. She is a keen follower of politics and will read any science fiction you throw her way. Having lived in and around Bristol for many years she has developed a keen interest in the Bristol underground music scene and independent restaurants.
