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Bristol has really come into its own over the last few years and whereas the words "Bristol Entertainment" may have been regarded as a bit of a contradiction in the past, no-one would deny that this is now a city full of life and justly proud of its scene. The nice thing is, however, that it remains a smallish city thats kept its own clear identity, which can be summed up in one word - mellow. Going out is generally a low-key affair in this city. Thats not to say that there aren't clubs, bars and restaurants where you can glam it up with the best of them, but that you don't need to have your designer labels on before you dare venture out the door. Music: In the last few years Bristol has hit the headlines with its home-grown talent, such as Massive Attack, Tricky and Portishead, all part of the so-called "Bristol Sound" and the music scene here continues to go from strength to strength. All tastes are catered for. If you're into classical, theres the newly and beautifully refurbished St Georges, where you can listen to orchestras performing works by all the classic composers and more obscure pieces you may never have discovered before, as well as opera and jazz. Its also home to various BBC Radio 3 broadcasts. If you're in town in the day, pop in to one of their lunch time concerts. Classical music and opera can also be found at the magnificent Colston Hall in the city centre and at the Victoria Rooms in Clifton - home of the Universitys Music department. Those looking for something less highbrow should also check out the latest events at Colston Hall. This large venue caters for popular performers such as The Supremes, Nanci Griffith, Paul Weller and Vonda Shepard (the singer from Ally McBeal) - they tend to go down the popularist route and if you're into big names this is where to find them. For rock, pop, hip-hop, bands etc., theres a few venues to choose from. For 'alternative' and fairly well-known bands try the Fleece and Firkin pub in Old Market, which hosts bands almost every night of the week. The larger Anson Room (part of the University) plays host to student-friendly bands and a number of smaller venues, such as The Fiddlers in Bedminster, the Louisiana and the Bierkeller host regular gigs. World music, jazz, folk and blues fans can also take their pick of venues. The occasional big name will appear at Colston Hall (such as Doctor John), the New Vic Theatre, or St Georges - look out for appearances from Bristols own master-saxophonist Andy Sheppard - and smaller outfits regularly play at The Prom on Gloucester Road, the renowned Albert, south of the river and the Tantric Jazz Cafe in the city centre. Clubs: Then of course theres music to dance to! Bristols club scene, like the rest of the city has undergone a renaissance in the last few years and is constantly in flux with places closing one week and reopening the next under different names, but theres a good choice of venues and club nights to satisfy most musical taste. For a glammed-up crowd and house and garage music, try either The Works or Evolution -both get packed with young things partying the night away. Well-known DJs regularly pack-out Creation and Cafe Blue, both massive and recently refurbished venues for you to get sweaty in. A trendier crowd can be found at the Blue Mountain club and the recently reopened and legendary Lakota, both on Stokes Croft, and at the infamous Thekla, the club-on-a-boat, moored on the floating harbour. For a more low-key nights clubbing theres the Tantric Jazz Cafe (as mentioned above), which has funk and soul nights, Cellar Cafe (a real find) and the Silent Peach who do a great 60s jazz, northern soul and soundtrack night. And for a gay and lesbian scene make your way to the Old Market area of the city and visit Castros and Winns. Stage and Screen: For those of us whose clubbing days are over, theres always the stage and screen to entertain! And theres enough art-house and mainstream cinemas and theatres to keep everybody happy. This is a city with an impressive theatrical heritage - Britains oldest working theatre, the Theatre Royal, still stands in King Street and is the place to go for new productions that are on their way to the West End, new works by both well-known and up-and-coming playwrights, and smaller more alternative productions in the Studio and New Vic sections there. For big-name shows, such as Dr Dolittle and The Phantom of the Opera its a short walk from here to the Hippodrome, right in the city centre and bus-loads of theatre-goers are a regular sight outside here. For smaller and more experimental productions theres The Tobacco Factory, Bristols newest theatre, situated in Bedminster and the Alma Tavern Theatre- a tiny space inside a pub. Celluloid fans can get their fix at either of the two art-house cinemas, the Watershed and the Arnolfini, each of which show the latest arty releases, foreign language films and hold occasional special events and festivals - the Watershed has the comfier seats though! Even more alternative and with far more eclectic programming than these two put together is The Cube - a tiny cinema that looks and feels like someones living room and where you can take your beer into the screening (why aren't all cinemas like this!). For general release films and your average blockbusters you've got The Odeon in the city centre, the ABC for old-fashioned elegance in Whiteladies Road and then a selection of massive multiplexes on the outskirts of the city. Watch out for the new state-of-the-art IMAX cinema due to open this spring. Comedy: Bristol is firmly on the map of the countrys comedy circuit and you can always see at least a few different comedians most nights of the week in different venues. In north Bristol you can choose to go to Jesters Comedy Club on Cheltenham Road, which always has an entertaining line-up, and various special nights (student night, meal-deal night etc.) or The Comedy Box, which is above The Bristol Flyer pub and also hosts big-name acts and often has the same bill as that of Jesters the previous night. Close by is The Bristol Comedy Pub, on Stokes Croft, which tends to be a slightly more hit and miss affair with semi-professionals, although it sometimes features the same comedians from Jesters, who just have to cross the road to here if they need more laughs. If the comedian has really grown in stature he or she will perform anywhere large enough, so watch out for performances by comedians such as Al Murray and Mark Lamarr at The Colston Hall, the Old Vic and occasionally, the Watershed. Children: If anyone needs constant entertainment its kids, and they have more than enough to keep them happy in Bristol. Apart from the fact that just walking around the city provides numerous opportunities for diversions - think walking up Cabots Tower, watching the boats at the harbour, getting a ferry ride around the city, playing on the swings at Brandon Hill, visiting the City Museum, crossing the Clifton Suspension Bridge and exploring the nearby caves and observatory - theres special events and places just for them. Take them to Windmill City Farm for a taste of the country, to Bristol Zoo for some really wild life, to a Saturday Morning Show at the Theatre Royal or let them express themselves through art at the Arnolfini. Then tell them if they're very good they'll get a treat at one of the child friendly cafes around town! Festivals: Bristol really comes alive in the summer and this is the time to visit if you fancy a festival experience. Theres the urban madness of St Pauls Afrikan and Caribbean Carnival, a massive music and community event which draws a huge crowd and is getting bigger each year. Then theres the rural feel of the Bristol Community Festival at Ashton Court, which takes place in acres of green just over the suspension bridge and is a weekend when Bristolians of all ages come to chill-out and enjoy this buzzing event, like a mini Glastonbury. If you're into boats come for the Harbour Regatta; if films your bag than visit the Animated Encounters and Brief Encounters festival at the Watershed and if you want the city to yourself in the dead of summer, then time your visit to coincide with the nearby Glastonbury festival - Bristol is virtually deserted, with all its youngsters gone to pay pilgrimage and roll in the mud at Worthy Farm! |
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