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Original poster

Bristol - night out

34 replies

ReviewingTheSituation · 07/06/2021 14:50

Looking for advice from people in the know!

4 of us are planning to meet in Bristol in July - we're coming from all over the country, so don't know it well. Any recommendations for somewhere to go for dinner and then drinks? We only see each other about once a year or so, so we want to be able to chat away to our hearts' content.

I know I could google/tripadvisor etc, but MN has come up with great recommendations in the past, so I'm hoping the same will be true again.

OP posts:
PurpleDaisies · 07/06/2021 14:52

The harbour side area is lovely. It does get busy though, especially in the sunshine.

Any particular kind of cuisine you fancy?

Original poster
ReviewingTheSituation · 07/06/2021 15:00

I remember the harbour area from a previous visit. I had assumed that area might be a bit manic and 'loud' for 4 late-40s women (I associated more with hen/stag dos and big (young) birthdays). I didn't think of it as the kind of area where we'd be able to hunker down and chat a Friday night away.

We wouldn't want Indian/Chinese (2 aren't keen), but anything else would be OK.

OP posts:
PurpleDaisies · 07/06/2021 20:46

Clifton might be a good bet. No 4 has amazing food and apparently has private dining rooms too...
www.no4cliftonvillage.co.uk/food/

Onceuponatime1818 · 07/06/2021 20:48

Do you want to be central?

Bearsbearsbears40 · 07/06/2021 20:55

San Carlo is nice (Italian, not on the harbour front). We’ve also found some nice pubs on King St - near Queen Square. Might still be busy on a Friday night but if it’s sunny everyone may head to the harbour side leaving other places marginally quieter!

LilyE1234 · 07/06/2021 20:58

The lido is really nice. Aqua on Whiteladies road is good too

DriedIris · 07/06/2021 21:18

Do you like cats? The pub Bag of Nails is a cat pub! They come sit with you and hang out. Grin Love that place.

We also like a pub called the Strawberry Thief.

And Milk Bar, which is a weird speakeasy style cocktail bar that you have to ring a doorbell to get in. It's very cool and awesome but the cocktails are quite expensive.

DriedIris · 07/06/2021 21:19

Oh, and the pub boat! Can't remember what it's called, but it's really nice. It's just a big boat with a bar downstairs and tables all up on the deck.

AsanteSanaSquashBanana · 07/06/2021 21:22

If you don't want loud, I would avoid the harbourside. Riverstation is nice, not far from the centre but a bit quieter and good food.

Lucaslucas1612 · 07/06/2021 21:25

Clifton I would say or whiteladies road. There tends to be more fights and trouble down at the harbour side with a much younger/student crowd.

FantasticMissFox · 07/06/2021 21:26

Another vote for Riverstation. Whiteladies Road has some nice spots too. Bocabar is out of the centre and does great pizza. Nice big open space where you can sit and chat. Only issue might be that you'll only be able to have a table for 1.5/2hrs?

PennineWayinSlingbacks · 07/06/2021 22:45

We also like a pub called the Strawberry Thief

Interesting food, all produced on site and beautiful Art Nouveau decor. DS has just started a holiday job there!

www.strawberrythiefbar.com/

bonfireheart · 07/06/2021 23:31

We were in Bristol from Wed to Fri last week and harbour side was very very busy and loud, and some bad behaviour... it was really nice by Queen's and the Old Vic especially the outdoor area.

finallymightbehappening · 07/06/2021 23:43

Aqua is chavvy perfect for a hen do or
Brunch with kids but one up from Bella Italia really. Was nice in its day (about 20 years ago). If you like steak pasture is excellent, as good as a good London steakhouse with a really good vibe. Some of the new stuff in containers at whapping wharf is good. Bravas is best tapas by far although a place called polo loco or something like that gets good reviews.

I find clifton a bit fuddy duddy these days (and I'm in my 40's). We go there with the kids but not for a big night out!

Jade308 · 07/06/2021 23:49

Look at Pasta Loco, Pasta Ripeana for amazing Italian.

Onceuponatime1818 · 08/06/2021 11:31

Casa Mexicana has great food and vibe!

Lots of places only get you do a 1.5 hour booking at the moment!

makingmyway10 · 08/06/2021 11:43

How about The Ivy in Clifton for dinner?

PowPurry · 08/06/2021 14:16

Jealous OP! I love love love Bristol! You’ll have a ball. Enjoy!

TheMotherlode · 08/06/2021 14:26

The nicest spots are probably Clifton/ Whiteladies Rd. Anywhere near the centre/waterfront can get a bit rough.

Have a look at the Ivy Clifton Brasserie, Bravas, Aqua Whiteladies Rd, Bosco Pizzeria, Al Bacio, The Botanist, The Giggling Squid.

Plenty of pubs and bars around there too if you want to carry on for drinks afterwards.

Paco Tapas and Cassamia if you want to splurge (Michelin Star restaurants). They’re closer to the centre though.

Notavegan · 08/06/2021 14:31

Following as I live an hour away and have never heard of the cat pub.

DriedIris · 08/06/2021 15:40

@Notavegan

Following as I live an hour away and have never heard of the cat pub.
You must go there immediately. It's the best best pub ever. Say hi to Wolfgang for me! He's my favourite cat there.
rbe78 · 08/06/2021 15:44

I like Four Wise Monkeys, a tapas bar nearish the harbour. It's also just round the corner from the Milk Thistle (not Milk Bar), the speakeasy cocktail bar a PP mentioned, which is awesome!

MonkeysandParrots · 08/06/2021 16:10

Right then, this is my area of expertise … rolls up sleeves …

Pre dinner cocktails, I’d consider Crying Wolf or Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Both fab cocktail bars and perfect for starting the evening in.

cryingwolf.co.uk/

hmssbristol.com/

A short walk up Whiteladies Road to Clifton Downs (or a very quick Uber!) and I’d book dinner in Homegrown. I had dinner there two weeks ago and the food was divine, the atmosphere brilliant and perfect for chatting. It’s a summer pop up and just a bit different, run by the Bianchi (Pasta Loco, Ripeanas) guys in partnership with Josh Egglestone, local Michelin starred chef.

www.breakingbreadbristol.co.uk/homegrown-menu

Alternately, Little French would be a great bet - equally delicious food, a little bit further to walk.

littlefrench.co.uk/

Saying that, if you love tapas, then the aforementioned Bravas is about 30 seconds walk from either cocktail bar and is always reliably delicious

bravas.co.uk/

After dinner? Depends what you want … there are plenty of bars in the local vicinity for chilled drinking but if you want, ummm, a more raucous atmosphere then an Uber down to the waterfront with its myriad of dubious hangouts would make sense.

If none of those appeal, give me a bit more detail and I’ll happily suggest something else! I bloody love Bristol, it’s a pleasure helping other people feel the same.