Bristol Burns Night 2023

Bristol Burns Night 2023

Posted on: 19 Jan 2023

Burns Night 2023 is just around the corner, and Bristol is hosting a variety of events to celebrate the life and poetry of the famous Scottish poet, Robert Burns.

Bristol must love Robert Burns, because it is jam-packed with feasting, ceilidhs, and drinking to celebrate the life of Scotland's favourite poet. Here's our list of all the best Bristol Burns Night (now THAT'S what I call alliteration).

Most of the Burns Nights events are happening on the night itself, Wednesday the 25th - but there are a few being provided on Saturday the 21st and Friday the 27th for those who don't have the time midweek to celebrate, but still want to anyway!

Wednesday, January 25th

The Three Tuns, St Georges Road, BS1

Join the Three Tuns for a night of Scottish booze, food & live music, to celebrate the great bard himself, Robert Burns. Wear a kilt or read poetry and get a dram on the house. Haggis will be served between 18:00 - 20:00pm (that includes VEGETARIAN haggis too!), so preordering food is advised as they'll sell out fast.

The music starts at 20:30pm, and they recommend getting your table early as it's sure to be a busy night - after all, this is one of the most beloved and enduring Burns Nights in Bristol!

Browns, Queens Road, BS8

Browns have created a three-course traditional Scottish menu to mark the occasion, with dishes such as Scottish mussels, haggis, neeps & tatties, and cranachan, paired with Glenfiddich whisky. This is a special menu, only available on Wednesday 25th January - not one to be missed!

The Square, Berkeley Square, BS8

Just off The Triangle, The Square invite you to join them for a night of Burns Night celebration, with a bagpipe performance by Pipe Major Julian Smart, a welcome drink, and an impressive themed menu designed by Head Chef Aidan Fisher. The Bristol Ceilidh Collective will be setting the soundtrack for the evening so bring your dancing shoes! Tickets are £20, and the event commences from 19:00.

The Milk Thistle, Colston Avenue, BS1

The Milk Thistle, a semi-secret and highly lauded cocktail bar known for it's cosy yet grand decor and inventive cocktails, will be celebrating Burns Night with dinner, drams, and cocktails.

They're teaming up with The Ox for the food and Glenfiddich for the whisky. The evening will begin at 7pm with a welcome dram of Glenfiddich, followed by a welcome cocktail, dinner and after dinner drinks. The menu is extensive, including delights like Loch Duart Smoked Salmon with Beetroot & Horseradish, Charcoal Roasted Beef Sirlon (& Haggis of course) and a Sticky Ginger Pudding with Whisky Butterscotch Sauce.

Tickets are £60, and the event starts at 19:00.

Friday, January 27th:

Westbury-On-Trym Church Hall

Come in from the January cold and join the community for a traditional Burns Night supper and dance. Enjoy a delicious four-course meal, live musicians, a ceilidh dance, whisky tasting, a storyteller, and of course, a bagpiper. Tickets are £65pp and it starts at 18:30.

St George Community Centre, BS5

The St George community are hosting a Burns Night Supper and Ceilidh with a traditional Burns Night menu, live music, and a ceilidh dance. Attendees are invited to "Don your Kilts, or whatever you most like to Ceilidh in" - and first-timers can be assured that all the dances are called. The event starts at 19:00 and tickets are £15 per person.

Old Market Assembly, BS1

Old Market Assembly invite you to get your dance shoes on for a night bedecked in tartan and tam o'shanters. Each ticket includes a dram of whisky to get you in the Burns Night spirit, and "Folk Ambassadors" Alex Garden, Archie Churchill-Moss and Evan Carson with Georgia Lewis will be calling the dances.

Tickets are £20, and the event begins at 22:00.

 

There you have it, a list of some of the top Burns Night events happening in Bristol. Whether you're looking to indulge in traditional Scottish food, listen to live music, or dance the night away, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Be sure to book your tickets in advance, as these events are sure to sell out fast. Slàinte!


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Article by:

Patrick Bate

Patrick is a filmmaker with so much Bristol in his blood the white blood cells are graffiti'd. Educated at the Northern Film School in Leeds, he’s returned home to be a Videographer and Reviewer for 365Bristol and BARBI. When he’s not messing about with cameras, he enjoys playing guitar, spending far too much time on tabletop RPGs, and being an awful snob about cider. Have a look at his work here, or get in touch at patrickb@365bristol.com.