By Ruby Butler, Second Year Classic Studies
If you're looking for a great Valentine's date that will impress your indie-loving hinge date or long-term love affair, then nothing says romance like a sweaty basement, locally brewed pint and a band you have to pretend you've heard of. Bristol's music scene is rich and ready to be explored, so take your pick from the following list of hardcore and laidback intimate music venues and prepare for your valentine's visit.
Bristol's favourite small venue is set to host a mish-mash of indie/post-punk live music and an experimental suadade-themed art exhibition, hitting all bases for a perfectly rounded night of culture (and an air of smugness when relaying the events of the night). Top off the evening by sharing a few of the night's exclusive cocktails, including 'Gianni's Love Potion'. Tickets are £10 and doors are at 18:00.
Basic Pleasure Model @ The Bristol Fringe
If you're looking for more familiar tunes, Clifton's Bristol Fringe will be hosting Basic Pleasure Model, set to be covering some beloved classics of indie-rock from the 80's and 90's. A cosy cult-favourite, the pub is brimming with vintage charm and secret nooks, setting the perfect scene for a candle-lit first kiss or questionable duet. Tickets are free and doors are at 20:30.
Bigfoot Brass Band @ The Canteen
For a more energetic vibe, The Canteen in Stokes Croft will be hosting Bigfoot Brass Band, Bristol's own big beats, brass-lead band. Putting a New-Orleans spin on old favourites from all genres, the collective will be joined by DJ Simon Ruston for a more festive Valentine's date (and close proximity to a host of Valentine's-themed club nights if you're so inclined). Tickets are free until 21:30 and £6 afterwards with the event beginning at 22:00.
'Valentine's Day Mascara' @ The Golden Lion
If, understandably, you're craving a night of Doom and Sludge metal with your better half, the Golden Lion's Valentine's lineup might be for you. The special 'Valentine's Day Mascara' event is set to host four bands in Bristol's darling music pub, ranging from progressive to hardcore on the metal spectrum. Tickets are £6 and doors are at 19:00.
For those love-day sweethearts who are seeking the experimental, Library Library will be taking over the basement of Café Kino for an evening of idiosyncratic droning, mangled poetry and non-categorisable sounds. Friendly vegan café by day and unsettling sonic landscape by night, there are truly no bounds to the versatility of Bristol's venues. Tickets are £10 and doors are at 19:00.
Choir of The Sun & Lung @ The Old England Pub
The scruffy, beloved live music pub is hosting the debut album launch of doom/psychedelic rock band Choir of the Sun, joined by Lung. Going Mr. Bruv style on Valentines' day at the pub is a must (two-dot-swap, packet of crisps and a Guinness), so why not do it to the sombre melodies of a Bristol 5 piece? Tickets are £8 and doors are at 19:00.
ABBA by Candlelight by The Bristol Ensemble @ St. George's
The beautiful church on Brandon hill is hosting a special Valentine's day concert for all you Mamma Mia lovers out there, with 'ABBA by Candlelight'. The unforgettable tunes will be performed by the Bristol Ensemble and there's even a special Valentine's menu available alongside - because nothing says romance like candlelit kitsch and Swedish pop. Tickets start at £10 and performances begin at 18:30 and 20:30.
Greenstage Live Sessions @ Plant Studio
If you fancy becoming parents to Kokedama plants as well as vibing to live, regional and local folksy musical talent, head to Plant Studio in Bedminster. An extremely intimate and wholesome Valentine's day date with the perks of shopping at a discount after close, what more could you want? Tickets are 2 for £25 or £15 each and doors open at 19:00.
Featured Image: Youssef AbdellaouiHow will you be spending Valentine's Day?
