Back at home you might know every single pub in the area as well as how much the pints are, what the regulars are like and whether or not there’s a pool table, but that’s probably not the case in Bristol. Not to worry - we’ve picked out some of the city’s top pubs and bars, and left out the shit ones. Stay away from the SU bar this year and give some of these a go.
Crofters Rights - 117-119 Stokes Croft, Bristol BS1 3RW Banging craft beers, cosy layout and occasional live music.
The Lanes - 22 Nelson St, Bristol BS1 2LE Located just off Broadmead, boasts a full bowling alley and pool tables.
Seamus O’Donnells - 13 St Nicholas St, Bristol BS1 1UE Traditional Irish pub with an unbeatable atmosphere.
The Apple - Welsh Back, Bristol BS1 4SB Nobody completes first year without a trip to The Apple: a wonderfully unique boat-bar docked on the water, known for their lethal 8.5% Old Bristolian Cider at £1.50 per half pint. It’s one of the best spots in the city centre for students, with a buzzing outdoor courtyard and great drinks prices.
The Cat & Wheel - 207 Cheltenham Rd, Bristol BS6 5QX Sat in the heart of The Arches, The Cat and Wheel is a decent little local that’s popular among students living along Gloucester Road. The pub has a pool table, dart board and karaoke nights, and is almost always full of weird and interesting people to chat shit with when you’re pissed.
The Rummer Hotel - All Saints Lane, Bristol BS1 1JH Slightly pricey but a warm atmosphere, fantastic drinks and in-house distillery.
The Anchor - 323 Gloucester Rd, Bristol BS7 8PE Popular student pub in Bishopston with £2 pints every Thursday.
Bishops Tavern - 225-229 Cheltenham Road, Bristol BS6 5QP Large pub near The Arches on Gloucester Road.
Old Market Tavern - 29-30 Old Market St, Bristol BS2 0HB Old-school pub sat right around the corner from Marketgate and Phoenix Court.
Full Moon/Attic Bar - 1 North St, Stokes Croft, Bristol BS1 3PR Located right alongside the famous Bear Pit, Full Moon is a backpackers’ hostel that doubles up as a bar. The courtyard area is up there with the city’s best spots for an afternoon drink, while neighbouring Attic Bar regularly hosts live music and DJ sets. A favourite among locals for obvious reasons.
The Bell - 16-18 Hillgrove St, Bristol BS2 8JT Little known to a lot of Bristol students, The Bell is popular with locals and a great spot for a couple late-night pints on a weekend. The traditional wood-floored pub boasts an inviting back garden area and regularly welcomes musicians of a variety of genres, including live hip-hop, low-key DJ sets and more.
Mr Wolf’s - 32 St Nicholas St, Bristol BS1 1TG Buzzing bar/live music venue.
Volunteer Tavern - 9 New St, Bristol BS2 9DX Great community pub with heated outdoor beer garden and good music taste.
Faraway Cocktail Club - 15 Small St, Bristol BS1 1DE Top-notch cocktails, regular DJ sets and a unique indoor-outdoor space.
No. 51 Stokes Croft - 51 Stokes Croft, Bristol BS1 3QP Open till late every night of the week - perfect to end a midweek night out.