Memorex is a crappy type of videotape, so it makes sense that the Mem would be kind of a crappy…read morestadium, but it also has its charm, and it will be missed. It's annoying that BRFC are moving yet again, as they move all the time. First-Hand Experience: More info about my personal experience at this stadium - I've been to both Bristol stadiums and they are both great places to watch football. However this one is run down and badly in need of an upgrade, so it makes sense that they may be moving. I was last here in 2007 for a match, although I've visited since then. It was a good and bad time. The fans are great and loud and vocal. The stadium is run down and decrepit. I've been to most UK & US stadiums, due to lifelong obsessions with travel, sport & especially footy (soccer to Americans). Born & raised in England, I followed Oxford United (hometown team) to stadia all over the country at away games, and later Liverpool (fave team) around. Every stadium review - like all my reviews - are from first-hand personal experience, usually from several visits. In 2011, I was on music tour in the UK, and visited most stadiums for fun in my spare time. As recently as Fall 2014, when I was "stuck" in UK for 3 months, I went to hundreds yet again while travelling. I have pictures of me at most, which I'll post later. Also, when back in UK I'll take more pix, and add more stadia! *** return to regular review *** Soon, Bristol Rovers may not be playing here any more. Known as the Mem, holds 12k, 3k of which are seated, and is rumoured to be closing down as BRFC move to their fancy new stadium, but that hasn't officially happened yet.

The memorial stadium, the smaller of Bristol two stadiums, is home to Bristol Rovers Football Club…read moreand Bristol Rugby Club. With a capacity of 12,100 it's quite a bit smaller than Ashton gate, but still manages to deliver a good atmsophere (in part, I think, because it's easier to fill out) both on days that football's played and rugby is. The DAS stand is the most impressive of the four in my opinion, housing the corporate boxes. It feels a bit like a cricket pavilion, and all four stands are slightly different from each other, making the ground feel like a bit of a hodge-podge. Worth knowing that the away stand isn't covered, so it can be a bit of a miserable experience if the weather's not very nice. Also should mention that the Blackthorn stand isn't seated. This makes for a better atmosphere but is a bit of a killer on the legs if you're not used to it. Being in the West Country there are pasties on offer. These are only £2.20 (very cheap for a football ground) and highly recommended. Drink cider to be really authentic. The memorial ground isn't particularly pretty but is a good ground where you'll can enjoy a game of football or rugby.

Ashton Gate has undergone massive renovations in recent years, demolishing some old and tired…read morestands that had numerous stanchions blocking your view, replacing them with much more spacious seating. The concourse where you can buy overpriced pies, coffee and the like are vastly superior to what was there previously. Seats in the Dolman Stand are still cramped, but at least the view is great and unobstructed. Parking is an absolute nightmare, with much of the on-street parking that used to be available decades ago now prohibited by the police and council. Be prepared for a good 20-30 minute walk to the stadium from wherever you may luck in finding parking. There is limited public transport, with buses and a Parson St rail station nearby. But good luck getting a train that actually stops there. Why the rail companies can coordinate trains for match days is farcical.

I knew a girl named Ashton, and she had a lovely gate. But my gf's is better, and so like Rick…read moreAshton once said, I'm "never gonna give her up", or let her down, or run around, except when I'm playing footy maybe. First-Hand Experience: More info about my personal experience at this stadium - even though this stadium is a bit of a death trap and a 70s relic, I am still giving it a solid 3 because my only experience there was an intense and wonderful game of Bristol City vs Bristol Rovers. I feel very lucky to have been at one of these, even though it was back in the 00s, because it's now going to be torn down. A shame, because it's a grand old stadium, but it either needed a major rework, or to be destroyed. I've been to most UK & US stadiums, due to lifelong obsessions with travel, sport & especially footy (soccer to Americans). Born & raised in England, I followed Oxford United (hometown team) to stadia all over the country at away games, and later Liverpool (fave team) around. Every stadium review - like all my reviews - are from first-hand personal experience, usually from several visits. In 2011, I was on music tour in the UK, and visited most stadiums for fun in my spare time. As recently as Fall 2014, when I was "stuck" in UK for 3 months, I went to hundreds yet again while travelling. I have pictures of me at most, which I'll post later. Also, when back in UK I'll take more pix, and add more stadia! *** return to regular review *** Speaking of which, this stadium is much maligned (just read some of the reviews), but it's currently being knocked down ish, 13k capacity, and expanded to 27k so it should be one of the better ones in the league by the time it's done. It's not far from the haunting shadow of the Clifton Suspension Bridge which is super cool. It was built in 1897. So I will revisit this review after the work is done.

The Watershed is a welcome break on that row of bars and clubs by the waterside. Where all the…read moreother venues simply exist to be a bar where the rowdy Saturday crowd revel in, the Watershed is more focused on socialising, good food, and screenings of movies with depth and intelligence. Much like the Little Theatre is to Bath, the Watershed is a must -go for more alternative, independent films. I love coming here to watch films because you are ensured that every film being shown is a good film, and not something brainless that you might waste your money on. The cinema rooms are a fraction of the size of a big cinema like the Odeon, which just adds more charm to the movie watching. It feels much more intimate, comfortable and private. Much like you're watching a good secret. Prices are good too, if you come here for a film before 4pm, rates are £4.50 (£3.50 concessions), which is a real good price for a good film. After 4pm, prices go up to £7 (£5.50 concessions). They have movies and documentaries for children too, during their Cinekids days, where kids pay £2 for a movie, and £3.50 for accompanying adults. Plus their Cinebabies days (which I think is such an amazing idea), where parents can bring their under 12 month old babies to watch a movie! The Watershed provides great facilities like a place to change nappies, and even a bottle warming service! This is super for parents to enjoy a film with their newborns, and get to know other new mom's around. The watershed is such a great place, all the years I've been going here, it's never disappointed me in terms of the films they screen, or the friendly service they give you when you're here.

The Watershed function spaces are great for small to medium conference events. They are…read moremultifunctional; the three cinema rooms (seating 43, 102 and 198 respectively) offer comfortable, air conditioned lecture spaces and the watershed 1, 2 and 3 rooms can be used individually or joined together to create a large space. The cafe/bar/restaurant sits between the cinemas and function rooms, offering food, drink and free wireless Internet. The staff are extremely hospitable; catering for all of your needs throughout the running of the event; from setting up spaces, to catering and even running last minute photocopying or printing. The Watershed is newly refurbished, clean and welcoming and in an ideal central location.

The Here Gallery is such an assuming little place. They are fully stocked with tonnes of inspiring…read morearty things; books, posters, wallpaper, stickers and lots more, that always makes me really smiley when I'm here. There is a gallery downstairs which exhibits interesting work, from local and international artists. They always welcome submissions for their consideration, and you can tell they are quite select with the work they choose, as the work shown always is quite spectacular. If you're a little down in the dumps or facing a mind block with your own artwork, this place will really help re-jig your mind.

Stokes Croft's got a few flowers poking through the grey concrete, the Here Shop is one of them. A…read moregallery and bookshop, they've got an often changing range of contemporary art. They do exhibitions by visiting artists, with pen drawings of slightly alien looking organic shapes (that description's ripped off their website) by a Yugoslav-American Yellena James currently on display. Whatever is being shown the gallery is always a warm and quiet respite from the traffic on Stokes Croft. The bookshop side of things is similarly left-field and varied. They have loads of children's books, as well as books on graffiti, manga, and an eclectic mix of other subjects. You really have to go along to get a proper sense of the sort of thing they have. It feels like one persons just taken their personal interests and made a shop around it. I like this about the shop, you get exposed to things you might not otherwise get exposed to. The Here shop is kookish and neat, a nice play to wonder round for half an hour or so.

I have walked passed Bubalu so many time but for some reason never given it a second thought…read more Health food and non alcoholic drinks weren't really my thing until recently. But last week I read some Yelp reviews and decided to give it a go, and I am so glad I did. Now, I want to give Bubalu five stars, but I haven't used the gym or fitness facilities, so It wouldn't be right. But, based on the food and drinks, I will definitely be going back. And when I'm full of January fat blues and post Christmas over indulgence, I'll definitely be back to check out some classes. I ordered the B-Boost Smoothy which had Coffee, Banana, Honey, cinnamon and ice in it. It was by far the best smoothy I've ever had. The coffee had a real punch and all the other flavours stuck to the pallet. I never wanted it to end. When I first arrived there was nobody else there, but within half an hour it was half full with a really nice buzz and atmosphere. The food being served looked great and I really wanted to some, but I couldn't unfortunately. Gloucester Road is always full of surprises, but this has been one of my recent favorites - event though I've known about it for several years! That's the beauty with yelp, I suppose!

I've known Mike for years and was so pleased to see how the place turned out for him…read more Great coffee, good smoothies!