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Bristol bore Cary Grant and Wallace & Gromit but it won’t bore you, vows OutUK correspondent Adrian Gillan.
Sights | |
| Capital of the South West, on a gorge cut by the mighty Avon, Bristol fair reeks of seamen and the sea. The city's colourful, oft dark past takes in maritime trade and slavery, engineering and the industrial revolution, regency grandeur and modern post-Millennial chic. If you want to take to the water get afloat the relaxing 45 minute long Bristol Packet Boat Tour Bristol Packet. |
Clifton Suspension Bridge. Photo: Destination Bristol. |
| Take in the Christmas Steps for quaint little eateries and shops; space-age Millennium Square and Explore@Bristol centre; and Brunel’s cutting-edge wrought-iron SS Great Britain, the big mama of all modern ocean-faring ships, with its propeller-driven metal hull allowing larger cargoes to travel faster and more reliably than ever before. See the iconic Suspension Bridge; the white-stuccoed Georgian terraces and crescents of Clifton; and hoards of cute young term-time students spewing out from the University, many of them gay. |
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Visit the world-famous Zoo, Cabot Tower up Brandon Hill, peaceful Queen Square and Castle Park, Banksy-inspired street art on Nelson Street, or
majestic Cathedral and nearby College Green. Dodge any rain in the British Empire & Commonwealth Museum or City Museum & Art Gallery. Enjoy a play or show at the Bristol Old Vic or Bristol Hippodrome. |
Bristol Balloon Festival. Photo: Destination Bristol. |
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Browse at the new Cabot Circus shopping complex; see contemporary art at the Arnolfini gallery; learn about local history at M Shed; or enjoy a
concert at Colston Hall.
Gay life in Bristol revolves around two areas - the renovated Old Market district to the east, and the City Centre, a wee walk west - far enough apart to have distinct identities, but near enough if you want to flit. Old Market: “The Village”Starting in the Old Market area, the eponymous Old Market Tavern is a highly popular old-fashioned boozer that serves great home-cooked grub washed down with fine ales, with a beer garden out the back. Dogs are welcome at this pub as long as they are accompanied by well behaved owners.If you are into a hairy, lively yet laid-back setting then there's nothing better than the nearby Bristol Bear Bar. It's the first purpose build Bear Bar in the UK with really friendly staff and a great atmosphere. Just around the corner is another real hidden gem, The Phoenix in Wellington Buildings, Champion Square. It's the only pub at Bristol's Cabot Circus with a relaxed gay-friendly environment. For more steamy relaxation, check out the Lads Locker Room at 19-21 West Street. You can escape the outside world and the daily stresses of life, with their relaxation, crusing and chill areas as well as an adult shop and bar. It's designed for all Gay, Bi-sexual and Bi-curious guys who want to meet up or hook up - or indeed both. Every Tuesday is NAKED Tuesdays when you can feel free to walk around Lads Locker Room in the nude, in a safe & comfortable environment - just put on your Birthday Suit & join the party! The sauna is part of the OMG group which also operate a bar and a club in the city. City Centre: “The Strip”Hit chic OMG Bar in Frogmore Street is great as a warm up bar with its trendy seating and retro flashing dance floor. You can then trot over the road to Queenshilling which is directly opposite and is a stylish, buzzing bar-cum-club playing a mixed bag of pure pop throughout the week. A few doors down, in Flog Lane you'll also find the spacious OMG Club which offers two contrasting bars, plus a large dance floor, for all your pop and trance.Pride |
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Bristol Pride is an annual free festival held in the heart of Bristol to celebrate the LGBT communities. During Pride Week over 36,000 people attend
about 20 events across 11 days. This year it's from 28th June to 13th July 2025.
Allie X is their Main Stage Headline this year, Kim Wilde will be performing in their Afternoon Legends Slot and they’ve already announced Cascada, Ultra Naté & Brooke Lynn Hytes. |
Bristol Pride Parade through the streets of the city. Photo: Matt Seow (www.flickr.com/matthewseow). |
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Each year they include a Saturday Pride Parade and Harbourside Day, Theatre and Comedy Nights, Gender Equality Talk, Dog Show, Post Pride Brunch, plus Film and Music events.
Pride Bristol is a registered charity and they work all year round to champion equality and diversity and challenge inequality across the South West. Money raised at Pride helps support their year round work challenging homophobia in schools, prisons and in the wider community. StaySlap bang in the city centre, on the glistening Welsh Back waterfront, the 4-star Mercure Bristol Brigstow Hotel puts you close to the city's scene and sights. It offers 116 stylish, modern guest rooms, some with river views, all with high-speed internet access and queen-size beds. Fine dine at its hip Ellipse Restaurant.THE LITTLE BLACK BOOKRevised June 2025. |
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