Where to go for nightlife and culture in Bristol?

Recently moved to Worcestershire and craving some city life, especially visual arts, culture, gigs, bars and clubs for occasional jaunts/late nights/early mornings. Too sleepy here and still struggling to make friends/meet like-minded people.

Bristol's only an hour away yet I don't know it at all so can anyone make any recommendations on venues/pubs/bars to follow and keep an eye out for last-minute weekend trips and nights out? And possibly where to avoid?

Depends on what you like, The Trinity and Lost Horizon have interesting events.

https://www.trinitybristol.org.uk/

https://www.losthorizonlive.com/

https://www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/#gigs-and-live-music is probably the best place to find out what's going on.

Can recommend Thekla, St George's, the Louisiana, Old Market Exchange, Jam Jar, Strange Brew, quite a few nice venues about. There are a few 'specialist' venues (like the Gryphon being a metal-leaning pub) but the music scene here is quite interconnected and supportive of each other regardless of genre, and most venues will put on something you like eventually

Fab - thanks both. Bit of a mix in terms of what I like - everything from sludge metal and pysch through to jazz or even proper d'n'b/club night. Will take a look at those places to start!

Thekla is great for DnB, basement 45 used to be as well but not sure anymore as I no longer live there. Motion also good!

Where are you that Bristol is only an hour away? I am near Newent and have never managed to get there in an hour.

Thekla generally holds my attention, Mr Wolfs (is that still open?) accommodates me when I’m hammered want to hear music and eat dubious noodles

Upton on Severn so closer to 59 mins straight down the M5.

Debating a move to Abergavenny at some point next year though.

A fucking men to Mr Wolf's

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Mr Wolf’s is not somewhere I thought would be mentioned as a recommendation on here. I haven’t been post-COVID but ended a few messy ones there over the years - that place is shite.

I would recommend the Plough and the Chelsea in Easton and another vote for Strangebrew - the open mic on Wednesdays is like no other I’ve attended.

Yeah it's no doubt changed since it's heydays of 2011

In a good way? I’m actually intrigued.

Just had a look at the Strangebrew website and realised I went to a psych/garage music day-fest thing there last year! Was excellent.

Seeing Yard Act on Saturday night at the Marble Factory with a couple of mates. Will have driven straight from a conference in Cambridge, so it will either be straight to bed or a late night as we're staying at the YHA near the docks. Close to Thekla and Mr Wolfs, so good options based on everyone's recommendations here.

Kebab and Calculator in Henleaze.

Mr Wolf's not great IMO. Ditto the comment about not expecting to see that on here
The Plough haha. Class. I go there quite a bit, class mix of dancefloor and locals to play pool with (some of whom think they own the place and the table)

The Alma pub has a theatre upstairs which does small run productions.

Sidney and Eden on Gloucester Road is a really nice bar. Has a venue downstairs which hosts decent comedy

Crying Wolf lovely cocktail bar on Cotham Hill. Cotham Hill has really nice restaurants, as does Chandos Road not too far away. Little Hollows/ Wilson's etc

Marble Factory is a great venue. Saw a band called Dope Lemon there a couple of months ago and was really impressed. Nice to not have to just drink red stripe too - quite a lot of nice Bristol Beer Factory Cans.
On our way back, we went to Little Martha's - 10 min walk away back towards town and v good taproom.

See you there - the support act are also decent. Check out Panic Shack.

Agreed on the Chelsea - pretty funny venue. Seen some wild shit.

@lotsirb Excellent! We’ve voted to go to the after party at The Exchange to keep things simple.

Two tickets available for the blue aeroplanes at the Fleece this evening

Don't suppose anyone has a spare Brian Jonestown Massacre ticket for the end of Jan have they that I could possibly buy? Cheers

Thought Bristol-based people may be interested in this as I know many people think about volunteering in the new year.

It's a gig buddy scheme for people with learning disabilities and/or autism.

https://exchangebristol.com/gig-buddies/
https://exchangebristol.com/gig-buddies/i-would-like-to-volunteer/

Bumping this thread, thanks for the info in here already.
Does anyone have recommendations for any cafes/pubs/bars in Bristol?

Depends what you are after, there is such a massive variety. Traditional, craft beer type of places etc. Location as well, what part of bristol?

Edit: I would also add that if you are new to Bristol and have never been, catch the St Pauls Carnival if it is on next year. We had a blast last weekend, forgot how good it was after the covid break. Also, if you do go (or did go) please make a donation to the carnival, if everyone who went donated a couple of quid it would make a massive difference.