Top Picks for Bristol Nightlife in 2022

Few cities across the UK have acquired a reputation for quality nightlife quite like Bristol, and for good reason. The city is home to no less than 100+ clubs, 350 bars and 1200 restaurants, which all amount to giving Bristol a degree of variety on par with Manchester or London, but packed into a much more walkable city centre.
As such it’s no wonder that Bristol ranks among the top places in the UK for hen and stag dos, and the city’s historic dance music pedigree ensures its home to some of the UK’s best and most cutting edge club nights and festivals.

With so much choice at hand though, it can be a challenge to cut through the noise and find its true nightlife gems. Here we’re exploring our top picks for nightlife in Bristol in 2022 – with everything from opulent casinos to underground clubs represented here, there’s sure to be something for everyone.

Cosies
Over the years, Cosies has steadily become a mainstay of Bristol’s underground nightlife. With an enduring commitment to celebrating dub and sound system culture, this petite basement club has threaded itself into the DNA of Bristol’s music scene. Depending on when you drop by, you could be treated to everything from dancehall classics to dubstep – though we recommend if you’re carrying through from the night before, nothing beats soaking up the rhythms at the club’s reggae-focused Sunday sessions.

Hyde & Co
One of Bristol’s best kept secrets, Hyde & Co is a cocktail bar that prefers to keep a low profile. Styled in the aesthetic of a prohibition-era speakeasy, this low-key hang out is located just off the Clifton Triangle, though if you’re not looking for it you probably won’t find it.  What’s more, this novel venue even features a secret room behind a bookcase, for the ultimate experience in discrete drinking enjoyment the city centre has to offer.

Grosvenor Casino Bristol
Among the many varied attractions Bristol’s nightlife offers, Grosvenor Casino Bristol has become a mainstay for those looking to colour their evening with a little flutter. Situated on Anchor Road, it belongs to a franchise that has welcomed countless gaming fans through its doors since opening over 50 years ago. Its on-site restaurant and well-stocked bars ensures there’s nowhere better to be if you prefer your martini shaken and not stirred.
The casino is replete with all the table classics you’d expect, from roulette to blackjack and even an impressive array of slots titles, it more than delivers as the city’s premier gaming parlour. To make the most of the experience, why not brush up on the basics, with a number of leading platforms offering blackjack online to help get you into the swing before taking your new-found skills out on the town.

Lakota
Arguably one of the most iconic clubs in the world, Lakota has served as the beating heart of Bristol’s rave scene for over 30 years. The club has borne witness to generations of dance crazes, serving as ground zero for everything techno, house, jungle and drum & bass. That Lakota still retains its prestigious place in Bristol’s nightlife is commendable at a time when super-clubs up and down the country are facing closure and competition by corporate endeavours.  A sure sign of the venue’s commitment to roll with the punches, Lakota met the challenges of the early 2020s with the opening of Lakota Gardens, an outdoor club space and market that carries forward the brand’s commitment to UK dance culture.

Kongs of King Street
While we appreciate there’s always a place for sedate wine bars and polite conversation, sometimes you need to cut loose and give in to your competitive urges. It’s for times like this that Kongs of King Street is the ideal choice. This venue is decked out to the rafters with classic arcade titles such as Street Fighter II, and diverting two player games – from foosball tables, to ping-pong. It’s also home to an impressive range of quality ales from both stateside and Europe, including some Trappist specials.