By Arianna Balsamo, Music Subeditor
September is approaching, signifying the arrival of the most intense week of one’s entire life - fresher’s week. This whistle-stop tour offers student-friendly alternatives to the classic Spoons and Brass Pig combination, which everyone will have almost 100 per cent exhausted by week three.
City Centre
First Stop: Let us begin our journey at The Robin Hood on St. Michael’s Hill. It's cozy, fairly quiet, and conveniently near uni if you’re looking to get straight into it after a pitiful 4-6 pm seminar. They host a highly entertaining pub quiz every Wednesday, as well as a free folk gig every fourth Friday. Definitely check it out next time you're trudging up (or down!) the dreaded hill.
Next: Moving on to Mother’s Ruin, a three-floor dive bar that holds a 4-8 pm happy hour every day, gigs three times a week, and a weekly pub quiz. It also features a (literally) underground music venue known as ‘The Rathouse’, which mainly leans into techno and house music, but has also been known to dabble in some indie nights, making Mother’s Ruin an intersection of all sorts of genres depending on the day of the week.
To end: Take a brisk walk through Castle Park to get to The Underground, an industrial space for all the drum and bass, jungle, and techno enjoyers, and also an appropriate place for immersing yourself into Bristol's rich music scene.
HM: If you’d rather be spending your night above ground, Mr Wolf’s is located on St. Nick’s Street and holds live music events every single night, including their infamous open mic nights, home to the jazz, funk and soul scene. It also eventually transitions into a club, feeding into more upbeat, pop music, so once again makes for an excellent non-triangle venue.
Harbourside
First Stop: This would not be an appropriate guide without mentioning at least one King Street pub. The Old Duke can be found on the cobbles of what is arguably Bristol’s most infamous street, with free live music every night, ranging from traditional to modern jazz, blues, soul, and the occasional country and funk gigs here and there. If The Old Duke doesn’t tickle your fancy, there’s about a million other pubs to pick from down the road.
To End: Although this may be an obvious choice, Thekla is a stop that must not be overlooked, and only a stone’s throw away from King Street. It exudes the kind of atmosphere that can’t be replicated anywhere else, especially on Thursday ‘Pressure’ nights. Thekla has become a staple for both ‘90s indie rock and more hardcore punk music fans, conveniently split into two decks for this reason. It might be the only place where The Cure and Charli XCX can and will play within a mere five minutes of each other.
HM: OMG, which is on Harbourside in spirit. It’s just far enough down Park Street to be excluded from the forbidden Triangle area, but still possesses the messiness of the 2010s clubbing era.
Gloucester Road (ish)
First Stop: The Gallimaufry is another live music spot which, like a lot of the spots mentioned in this guide, is great for discovering local bands and musicians while feeling like you’re sitting in someone’s living room.
Next: Cider Press is ideal if you’re looking to ease yourself into being a cider drinker (which would be very Bristolian of you), and with 32 draught ciders to pick from and a little bit of live music on the side every Monday and Saturday, there is little chance you won’t become an avid cider fan.
To End: Unbeknownst to many first years who often do not dare to venture beyond the safety of the Triangle, The Love Inn, located in Stokes Croft, is a grassroots venue which is also run by the team behind festivals like Love Saves the Day, Forwards Festival and Waterworks.
While the triangle is super fun and can be ideal because it's so close, do get to know the beautiful city that you're in and take advantage of the hundreds of venues it's home to!
Featured Image: Cessie Hall-EadeAre you a triangle fan on a night out?
