Great place to grab a bite and a drink in bristol. They have lunch specials, and a lot of great…read morebeers on tap.

From the owner: Our handsome building at 25 West Street houses our award-winning restaurant, a state-of-the-art…read morestage and sound system for music and performance events, a sun-drenched roof terrace, and The Wardrobe Theatre showing original, fringe theatre, at the back of the venue. Our ethos is underpinned by our commitment to Sustainable, Ethical, Local and Fair values. Since our inception, we’ve worked hard to bring quality values across the business. From the great suppliers we work with to the food we serve and the booze you drink. South West produce is at the heart of our offering. Knowing where our food and booze come from, how it has been prepared, and even the names of our farmers and producers mean a lot to us. We aim to source everything from within a 60-mile radius and keep it fresh with seasonally changing menus. Our chef and bar teams work hard to bring you the most delicious and well-crafted food and drink in Bristol. Our chefs will have a couple of special dishes always available. In keeping with our commitment to no food waste, we aim to use all surplus produce, including usual prep waste, in the preparation of dishes.

I'm a big fan of Trinity as a venue, art centre and community space. These guys do so much more…read morethan a lot of people know about. First and foremost, and what you'll probably know it for, Trinity is a music venue. They host some big names and book some really cool up-and-coming acts. I saw Disclosure there about 18 months ago with a crowd of 300. And I know that Alt-J also played there shortly after they won the Mercury prize a couple of years back. During the day, early evenings and weekends you'll find lots of regular dance and music classes for kids and young adults and over 50's. They also do bike workshops and monthly gardening sessions going on. You can also hire Trinity for your own events or gigs, which is something I've looked when hosting events before. A few of us went o Trinity of Sunday evening for their annual firework display. It was RAMMED! The queues was huge but the seemed to get everybody in pretty quickly. The fireworks were good, but nothing spectacular. Good value for the £2 donation though. Trinity is now home to Bump Roller Disco. They do kids and adult sessions and it's definitely on my list of things to do in Bristol. I've never roller skated before, so we'll see how that goes!

The Trinity is very much a part of Bristolian culture, and is typical of the values and aspirations…read moreof many of the creative types that live here. An 800 capacity venue, with a multi-purpose remit, the programme is pretty varied. I've been to vintage fairs and flea markets here, attended closing night extravaganzas / after show parties of the indie music festival, Venn Festival, and been to well patronised gigs of amazing singer-songwriters like Josh Ritter and Laura Marling. Being a converted church, there's a sizable garden, that is often used during the summer. They have a fully licensed bar at most events, offering some great local ales and organic drinks, but i find them a little pricey.

This is a live music pub with a venerable history. On the tour circuit, The Louisiana has seen many…read morebig acts before they were famous, including the White Stripes and System of a Down. It wears the famous associations lightly though, there is still the atmosphere of being a normal pub where live shows are put on upstairs. I recommend scouring the list of upcoming gigs for a name you like and buying a ticket. Don't go expecting that you'll see the next big thing, though. Just hope for something decent - this place is still small enough for musicians of questionable calibre to get a gig. It's a rock venue, so not smart or swish. Not at all grotty though, the outside has just been given a new lick of paint. Good for a party as well, I remember having a very good New Years here. All in all, The Louisiana is a Bristol fixture and exceptionally good for live music.

This is a pretty decent little pub within spitting distance of the city centre (no mean feat in…read moreitself), though its main claim to fame is the tiny room upstairs, which has put on some of the biggest bands in the world before they hit big (The Killers, The Strokes, etc). I possibly chose badly, having seen The Wombats and Keane here for next to nothing in the past, and while this doesn't afford me massive bragging rights, it's still an undeniable pleasure to see a band who are clearly on the up in sweaty little room with less than 100 other people. The downstairs is also vibrant with a constant flow of gig-goers streaming in and out, and the smoking bit out the front (some benches) have apparently recently been renovated.

One of many new pubs springing up in the area, the Thunderbolt is, somewhat bravely, a live music…read morevenue tucked away out on the Bath Road. First things first: this place has changed greatly since its been relaunched - all thoughts of the horror that was the Turnpike should be immediately forgotten. The musical policy is a mix of up and coming local bands and DJs, combined with national faves who may appeal to a slightly older generation (Miles Hunt, Wreckless Eric, John Squire, Don Letts, Jerry Dammers). The garden has also been completely revamped and is very family friendly, especially on Sundays when they serve up the best roast I've had in years. Also recommend are the irregular DJ Derek and northern soul nights.

The Thunderbolt is a 150 capacity venue situated on the busy Bath Road in Totterdown. Since the…read moreowners took it over a couple of years ago it has undergone a massive transformation, and has very much earned its place within the Bristol music scene. It is difficult to imagine that this beautifully painted building with artfully created interiors and well furnished garden used to be a iniquitous dive frequented by the kind of people that you would go out of your way to avoid. These days the friendly staff are more accustomed to serving young families in the afternoons, particularly at the weekends when excellent food is in offer, and a devoted music crowd by night, when this local pub opens its doors to some heavyweight performers, often of international acclaim. A good selection of fine ales and ciders at reasonable prices keep the locals coming back. Dave, the owner, is more partial to a glass of wine, and so there's a decent selection of wine by the glass or bottle as well. The place is run in a very hands-on fashion, lending the place a very definite fraternal feel, but is in no way exclusive. All-comers are made to feel very welcome in this genuinely relaxed and friendly pub where traditional values are preserved. I called in fr a quick drink and a chat a week or so ago and noticed that Babel, my favourite Bristol band, are playing The Thunderbolt on the 15th May. Tickets are £5adv... a bargain! So, it looks like I'll be back pretty soon!

The Folk House has a number of fingers in a number of pies. Its main business is adult education -…read moreevening and daytime classes on pretty much everything from languages and writing, singing and music lessons, art and pottery, dance and drama, knitting and self-help. They run their classes in three 'terms' so you can pick a class up every 12 weeks or so, plus they have summer schools and Saturday day classes. I have learnt how to knit and sing in harmony here and enjoyed the mix of people it brings to the classes and the level of knowledge of the tutors. Art from their students is displayed about the place to buy with regularly changing exhibitions.. The House also has strong connections to live music of Bristol - obviously perhaps the folk scene but also blues and jazz. Live music is often on. This also draws in the record fairs every few months. Lastly, and this ties in the comings and goings of the various user groups, there is a cafe with nice food and cake and very good cup of tea. You can use the cafe if you are not attending a class. There is a nice little cobbled courtyard out front and undercover bike racks. The Folk House is signposted on Park Street, but is easy to walk past - you have to duck into an alley next to Nomad (see one of the photos). You can pick up a programme of their events and classes without going all the way in though as it is on the wall at the alley entrance.

Perhaps you're attending an art course at the folk house, or perhaps you've been shopping on Park…read moreStreet - the cafe is a perfect pit stop for those seeking a light lunch and a lovely cup of tea. They dish up homemade local dishes like cauli cheese or shepherd's pie, with crisp fresh salad. What made me drool is the rows of lush-looking cakes - I sampled (just for research purposes obviously) a slice a blackberry crumble flapjack with yoghurt topping - tart and sweet all in one, crunchy and yummy. You're cocooned by bright tribal art (from the courses they run) and afternoon's even offer up a plethora of musicians to lull you while you munch! Its not a load of hippy nonsense, its wholesome, warming and immediately filling - just like mum used to make.

This is the pub Start the Bus wishes it was! But never will be because it is run by a greedy,…read morecooperate, money grabbing chain of pubs and bars that squeezes every single penny out of the customer in return for a manufactured sense of an original experience. The Mother's Ruin on the other hand is that brilliant, special night out that you can only have at this pub! They have about three bands play here a week and entry is pretty much always free! None of this £3 here or there, which you know is only going towards paying the bouncer. The drinks are fantastically cheap, like £2 a pint cheap, and they clearly care about good music. The place is understated and perfectly decorated with basically nothing but pictures of the musicians they love. It's interestingly laid out as well over two or three floors with the stage on the top floor, but you can still hear the band playing throughout the whole pub. The staff are lovely and friendly and this is a proper music pub for people who are sick of being ripped off to hear great live music.

They were out of ale (the pump spluttered and died when trying to pour me a pint) and cider (the…read morelast 2 customers served had apparently emptied the barrel prior to my arrival). I settled for a bottled Cider, which was a rather nice organic offering from Westons. Not sure quite what this pub wants to be, but also not quite sure what to think of it (beyond the running out of my key beverages, which is why I have to give it 2). It is shabby, but not in a bad way in my opinion. I do like the name too!

One of Bristol's oldest music venues, this intimate pub is a bit of a halfway house where you can…read moresee the wannabes on their way up and the never quite weres coming back down the other side. If you know your stuff you can catch some really big pre-fame names (I saw Radiohead for £3.50 many, many years ago, though once turned down the chance to see some new band called 'Oasis' in favour of watching the footie in a pub down the road). Weekends are dominated by tribute nights, which can be fun if you get the right one, while up-and-coming acts vie for your attention during the week, when there are also cheap drinks offers early in the night. Be warned: when stage diving keep an eye on the pillars as a mate of mine almost knocked himself out at a Moonflowers gig in the early 90s...

Just over the Bristol Bridge from town, The Fleece is a small pub and music venue mostly catering…read moreto the rock scene. The floor is paved with flag stones, convenient if you spill your drink! Probably easier to keep in a decent state with the dancing and moshing that goes on here too. It's on the circuit for small bands trying to get a break. That means the odd act that will be topping the charts in a few years time and not a few bands that definitely won't It's a good space for a band to play, perhaps not quiet enough for singer songwriter type acts. The drinks on offer here aren't too badly priced (and a lot cheaper than the O2 academy, which also has a very dire range on offer, thanks to the corporate sponsorship). Things tend to be a bit calmer here too. Although this might just be because it's not such a big place. A gig here generally gets going towards the end, and their will be the risk of crowddivers falling on you, but I've never been there when things get out of control. If you like live music have a look for a band you know (or a tribute to them) and get a ticket for a good night.

This is such a lovely spot for a pub, and The Old Duke has been here for absolutely ages. They…read moreshare an outside courtyard with the Llandoger Trow opposite, and I found it so cute when I saw that they identified their pubs glasses by allocated paint spots at the bottom of the glasses. The Old Duke is a jazz pub, and they have so many nights on every week with different live acts. You get the feel of this immediately when you walk in, with all the posters and newspaper cuttings stuck to the walls. Unfortunately I've never managed to catch a live act here - I've seen them set up enough times though, but seem to have always had to rush off before the band starts! This pub is great to hang out, whether it is in the courtyard in the afternoon or sitting snugly inside at night.

This pub gets crowded, hot, and loud - but, with very good reason: everyone wants to be here…read more Located down on the waterfront just along from the Old Vic Theare, it's a classic old pub that has become legendary among jazz and live music fans. Named after Duke Ellington, the pub lives and breathes jazz music which is on offer every evening during the week and on Sunday lunchtimes. Take a trip here for the atmosphere; sit and gaze up at the ceiling papered with old concert posters, grab a drink from the extremely friendly bar staff, and hear some of the best toe-tapping blues and jazz around - free of charge. Crowds tend to spill out onto the cobbles of King Street during the interval, especially in the summer months. It's an absolute must-visit for any fan of jazz and old traditional pubs. You'll soon forget the fact that you're jammed shoulder-to-shoulder with a hundred other people all trying to get to the bar; the live music and atmosphere more than make up for that.

Day and Night is an ideal venue for anyone who enjoys letting loose and dancing into the early…read morehours with like-minded party people. An inconspicuous little club on St Nicholas Street, you'd probably have difficulty finding it unless it was pointed out to you. In fact, being in the centre of Bristol, you're likely to have walked past it, blinked and missed it on several occasions (yep, it really is tiny.) It was only recently that I discovered this club, after being told about an interesting night here called Sonic Lab. If you're partial to a bit of house and techno, and even a smattering of breaks, I'd strongly advise you head to Day and Night for the second to last Friday of each month. Not only is the music stomping delightful and perfect for throwing some quirky shapes, but the decor is of the fluorescent pop art variety and enough to transport you into a psychedelic sci-fi realm for a few mind-bending hours. Staff here are really friendly (including the bouncers - I've never met such likeable security folk) and drinks are reasonably priced. Moreover, the club itself is conducive to both dance and chat, with the dance floor occupying a separate space to the seating and bar area. One of Bristol's best kept secrets, to be sure...

Day and Night is a tiny club hidden away from the city centre on St Nicholas Market. As well as…read moreholding various events like album launches for local bands they also play host to regular DJ sets from the best of Bristol's MCs. I've only been once but I had a good night; the drinks were reasonably priced, the crowd were up for fun and the choons were banging. But I probably wouldn't go again - not being a fan of house or drum and bass music (you can probably tell!) there was little in it for me. Keep an eye on their facebook page for upcoming events.

This place is just barren, rocky and slightly unwholesome enough to keep away the gentile and…read moreoversensitive train traveller (and good riddance). I was the sole customer, besides the arrow throwing locals. Otter Ale and Butcombe were decent pints and the lucky locals seemed to have access to an unseen secret cider! Pub is also a venue for gigs..fairly small ones though surely!

I don't like this pub. Firstly, it sits right outside Temple Meads which means it naturally…read moreattracts a large number of transients (I mean people staying in the nearby hotels for business, not homeless people) and gig-goers (who, in fairness, often look as if they may actually be homeless). The latter come here to subject themselves to the tribute acts and no-hoper local rock bands (with names such as Gold Fish Don't Bounce - I swear that's actually a real name) that play here on Friday and Saturdays. However, the reason I really hate this place is the rudeness of the staff. The one time I drank in here, the landlady insisted on kicking me and a friend out dead on 10.30pm on a Sunday night, despite happily selling me two full pints at 10.25pm. Something tells me she knew her pub was a shithole and couldn't even be bothered to try and pretend otherwise.