People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol Favourites: Richie Paradise
Richie Paradise is the self-styled best-dressed drummer in Bristol and leader of the swing era Big R Big Band. He can also be seen looking dapper and dandy in 1920s jazz band Shanghai Shuffle, who will be playing the Slapstick Festival gala at the Colston Hall on January 26.
Here are Richie’s top-five Bristol favourites:
Kingsdown
is needed now More than ever
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZhBqU-gna6
“I was born next door to the excellent Hillgrove pub and I love the way Kingsdown looks over the city. Despite war damage and unsympathetic town planning, it still has lots of great history, from its back street architecture, its Civil War sites and of course the splendour of St Michael’s Hill. It also leads to my next choice…”
Colston Street & Christmas Steps
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWGGqWTD8iR
“I once overheard an American tourist looking over the roof tops of Colston Street and saying it was ‘chim chim cher-ee”. He was right. It’s a great part of old Bristol, with interesting shops that are rent-controlled by the council so they’re an esoteric bunch. At the top you’ll also find my tailor, David Minns of Brown in Town, and at the bottom the brilliant Kathmandu restaurant. Christmas Steps similarly has kept its history and soul and has the splendid 20th Century Flicks and one of my favourite boozers, The Christmas Steps.”
The Cube
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc2VD9_HW2Z
“I’ve been a volunteer at The Cube for 14 years. It’s an incredible Bristol success story. I’m amazed how many people still don’t know about it. I’ve lost count of the bohemian nights I’ve had there. Capable of putting on the best and oddest nights around, and in Bristol that’s saying something. Apart from all sorts of films, we also put on great music and performances of all sorts, plus I co-host an annual cabaret there every Christmas. It’s even better now we’ve installed proper heating and comfy-ish seats. Toilets are still a bit rubbish though.”
The Bristol swing scene
“Big R have been going for seven years and about four years ago I noticed an increasing amount of people dancing and responding to the band. That number of people has increased tenfold over the last few years as the swing dance scene here in Bristol has taken off, with loads of classes throughout the week and several swing festivals in the city. They’ve helped push us as a band and it’s been amazing to see how they have developed as dancers. They’re incredibly friendly and there’s no snobbiness in the scene like I have experienced with other dance styles. I love the effort put into the classic and stylish clothes when we play for them. I sincerely love playing for these people and I’m humbled by their love and appreciation for our sound.”
Spicer & Cole
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRjowxzAxBY
“My family and I start our weekend at Spicer & Cole on Queen Square Avenue most Saturdays. Lovely food and coffee, great people and a great location. Just what I want from a cafe.”
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
