By Leah Hoyle, Third year, English
Whilst the Steam into WG Grace into La Rocca trifecta is the perfect recipe for an impeccable Wednesday night, there is so much more to Bristol nightlife. With so many vivid pubs for students to enjoy, this will be the year that we all branch out.
Widening our horizons is crucial to keeping our university city’s incredible independent pub scene as vibrant as it always has been, with more establishments struggling every year due to increasing costs, less demand, and… Wetherspoons.
Here you have a shortcut list of the must-visit go pubs and deals to enjoy if you want to make the most of your student years in Bristol.
Located just off the well-known Triangle on Jacob Wells Road, The Hope and Anchor is a fail-safe option for an excellent pint. Whether it’s to prepare for the hike up Constitution Hill or after a long day in the Wills library, the best way to enjoy this independent pub is a Monday evening – 2.95 pints all around with my personal favourite option being the apple and pear cider.
The pub offers a gorgeous beer garden with different nooks to sit amongst the plants and fairy lights, which makes it the perfect choice to relish in the last bits of sun September will give us. Inside, there’s a selection of board games and cozy tables too, and even a roast dinner on a Sunday. The Hope and Anchor ticks every box; convenient, independent, cute interior, and filled with bargains.
The perfect place for your pres for Mr. Wolf’s or just a boozy evening, Mother’s Ruin has a staggering list of deals perfect for students. Within the punky dive bar littered with quirky decorations, you can get 4 pints for £10, so grab 3 of your friends and make the most!
Another key attraction of Mother’s Ruin is the Tuesday night quiz. For the cost of one entry, you get the experience of the excellent quiz and a chance to win a multitude of prizes, all whilst eating the free half-time vegan chili, so you don’t even need to plan dinner.
You can find this pub in the centre of Bristol, a stone’s throw away from The Crown and Mr Wolf's, so it is perfect to add to your list and get exploring.
With the prime location of just behind Senate House, this is the catch-all for students post lectures or just to bunk off from the ASS.
The undiscovered frozen cocktails are why this pub makes this list for me, other than the incredible vibes, cool interior, and a guarantee of seeing someone you know; these drinks are a hidden secret. With two for £10, this is a flawless deal to enjoy on the outside tables and have a well-deserved break from that gruelling one-hour lecture.
Even if you would rather just have a pint, The White Bear will not disappoint and is a reliable student option with a photo booth, so you can leave with something new to stick on your wall.
4. Vittoria
Sitting on Whiteladies Road, Vittoria boasts a fantastic happy hour from 4-7 pm, with the star of the show being £6 cocktails. The cocktails after happy hour stay at seven pounds, so a cutesy cocktail night doesn’t have to break the bank here.
With a new menu launching fresh for all the freshers, the pub also has a good selection of draught beers and wines, so will please a large crowd. Although there’s a new menu, the pub itself remains very much the same, with eclectic pictures on the wall and a cozy, candlelit inside. Sister pubs Barrelhouse and The Ship Inn have similar good vibes and high-quality happy hours, ticking all the boxes if you fancy an artsy venue and a delicious cocktail to go with it.
Sitting on the infamous Gloucester Road, The Blue Lagoon is the pub that keeps on giving. From pints to punches, it's got it all. Live out your inner Carrie Bradshaw with two-for-one Cosmos Sunday- Thursday, 5-10 pm, or even get a post-night out fry up after a big lie-in, as they serve brunch until 5 pm.
Food and drink aside, The Blue Lagoon has a grungy, but still aesthetically pleasing, interior with decor hanging from the ceiling and plenty of indoor and outdoor seating to chat the night away. The star of the show is the Thursday night ‘Bandeoke’ – karaoke with a live band! Starting at 9:30 pm every Thursday, you can live out your dreams of being a singer by taking the spotlight in front of the band and singing whatever you choose. This pub is the perfect one to spark your swap from the Triangle to Gloucester Road.
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Some honourable mentions that are by no means undiscovered include: The obligatory Cori Tap 10 exhibition ciders before 10 pm, a pint of Rattler specifically from Steam, and the inevitable 3 VKs you’ll end up buying in La Rocca.
Bristol has such an extensive list of options for pubs, bars and drinks; this list is just the tip of the iceberg. If you stick to this and explore further, you are guaranteed to get the most out of Bristol, whether it’s your first or last year here.
Featured Image: Epigram / Tess Hampson
What underrated independent pubs have you been enjoying?
