Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
exhibitions and film screenings, in addition to live performance, dance, talks, a book-
store, and a decent cafe (Mon-Tues 10am-6:30pm; Wed-Thurs 10am-10:30pm;
Fri-Sat 10am-11pm; Sun 10am-7pm).
For a lively program of independent film, digital media, and other live events,
check out the
Watershed,
1 Canons Rd., Harbourside (
&
0117/927-6444;
www.
watershed.co.uk).
THE PUB & BAR SCENE
Bristol has a buzzing nightlife, with most of the action in the city center area, on
Harbourside, and along Park Street and Whiteladies Road. One of Bristol's oldest and
most atmospheric pubs is the
Llandoger Trow,
King Street (
&
0117/926-0783;
Mon-Sat 11am-midnight, Sun noon-11pm), established in 1664. Legend has it that
this is where Daniel Defoe met Alexander Selkirk, Defoe's inspiration for
Robinson
Crusoe
and also the man behind the Benn Gunn character in Robert Louis Steven-
son's
Treasure Island
.
A funkier, more contemporary option is
Start The Bus
, 7-9 Baldwin St.
(
&
0117/930-4370;
www.startthebus.tv; Sun 11am-1am, Mon-Wed 10am-1am,
Thurs-Sat 10am-3am), a bar with comfy leather sofas, local art smothered on the
walls, and everything from a weekly pub quiz to live gigs from the coolest bands in
Bristol (Wilder was a major player here in 2010).
The
Mud Dock Café,
40 The Grove (
&
0117/934-9734;
www.mud-dock.
co.uk; Sun-Mon 10am-5pm, Tues-Thurs 10am-11pm, Fri 10am-11pm, Sat 9am-
11pm), is conveniently located on the harborside in the center of town. In addition
to serving fine coffee, sandwiches, and beer, it doubles as a bike shop.
Real-ale lovers should try the tasty brews made by the
Bristol Beer Factory,
Durn-
ford Street (
&
0117/902-6317;
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm), an independent brewery in
Southville. You can usually buy beers directly from the on-site shop, but the best place
to drink them is the
Grain Barge
, Mardyke Wharf, Hotwells Road (
&
0117/929-
9347;
www.grainbarge.com; Tues-Thurs noon-11pm, Fri-Sat noon-11:30pm, Sun
noon-11pm), a converted barge on the water, within sight of SS
Great Britain
.
If you prefer cider (the alcoholic kind, not the North American juice version),
the
Apple,
Welsh Back (
&
0117/925-3500;
www.applecider.co.uk; daily noon-
midnight), occupies a smaller barge and quayside terrace farther along the river,
with a fine selection of ciders and beers. Real aficionados make for the
Bristol
Cider House
, 8-9 Surrey St. (
&
0117/9420-8196;
www.bristolciderhouse.
co.uk; daily noon-midnight), where more than 20 types of strong ciders and per-
ries (from pears) are served.
THE CLUB & MUSIC SCENE
Music lovers gravitate to the performances at
St. George's,
Great George Street, off
Park Street (
&
0117/929-4929;
www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk), a converted church
from the 1700s. You will hear everything from jazz concerts to classical music
performances.
Weekly club nights, acid jazz, and other types of live music rain down in
Thekla,
East Mud Dock (
&
0117/929-3301;
www.theklabristol.co.uk), a con-
verted freight steamer moored on the Grove. The
Old Duke,
45 King St.
(
&
0117/927-7137;
www.theoldduke.co.uk), is popular for blues and traditional
jazz. Another leading jazz venue is the
Bebop Club
at the Bear, Hotwell Road
(
&
0117/987-7796;
www.thebebopclub.co.uk). Shows take place on Fridays at
9pm, with most tickets less than £8.
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