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@antlers
I wrote you a really great detailed response but then my computer crashed. Shucks. Here's a roundup:
I studied in Bristol, so my recommendations are skewed slightly from a 23-year-old's point of view, but for what it's worth, here's what I liked.
Get to Stokes Croft, there are loads of really decent pubs and cafes. Cafe Kino is good for vegan food, coffee and atmosphere. If it gets a bit too pretentious for you, head into Montpelier for the pubs full of old Jamaican guys. The Old England's good if you can keep your end of a game of pool up, but they will take the piss mercilessly if you can't. The Indian takeaway opposite Cafe Thali in Montpelier I am still convinced is Bristol's best-kept food secret. Others are the Caribbean food place just north of Portland Square, and the curry pizza delivery place on Stapleton Road (which I think is now closed).
My favourite pub is The Bell, just off Jamaica Street. The Pipe & Slippers used to be great but busy - the Prince of Wales did great sandwiches last time I checked - the Cat & Wheel (?) just before the arches on Cheltenham Road does cheap drinks if you're heading out, and puts live music on on the regs.
This is all pretty Stokes Croft/Gloucester Road-central, you should take a ride round Avon Gorge and up underthe bridge to the Downs at least once. There are a few decent pubs up there.
The 'essential Bristol' checklist is proabably something like: have a half of Xhibition cider at the Coronation Tap (very strong), visit The Woods for an expensive whisky (not on a Friday/Sturday night - too many bros), go to the falafel wrap place next to The Woods (between Park Street and Park Row) and the shisha bar opposite, go to the Apple (for more cider), spot some Banksies (yawn)...
The Fleece puts music on on the regs and is on the sort of toilet circuit, so there's a good chance you can catch a halfway decent band there before the get massive. Start The Bus does gigs - it also does OK food, is pretty pretentious, but has nice bar staff; it's in the mould of Nation of Shopkeepers in Leeds or The Rest Is Noise in Brixton (RIP).
That's all I can think off off the top of my head. Oh wait! Go to Zero degrees microbrewery on Park Row/behind Colston Hall. OK. Good luck.