My Bristol Favourites: Kofo Ajala

Kofo Ajala presented her first radio show on Noods earlier this month as part of a Saffron Records takeover.

The University of Bristol graduate and former Bristol24/7 intern currently works as a runner for RDF Television and has also worked for Babbasa and Bristol Museum, and written for Gal-Dem.

These are Kofo’s top-five Bristol favourites:

The Grace

The Grace has been a proudly independent pub since 2021 – photo: Martin Booth

“My first experience of the Grace was during the height of summer. It was suggested to me by a friend. Now it’s my favourite place to take mates for a drink. This candlelit pub on Gloucester Road is the perfect mix of comfort and style. The whole place is just so softly lit and constantly playing the most mellow tunes, sometimes I feel like I could just sink into the walls. If you’re a fan of good gin and conversation this is the place to go; their sharing plates are amazing (make sure to get the duck).”

Arnolfini

Arnolfini is celebrating its 60th birthday this year, having been founded in 1961 above a bookshop in Clifton – photo: Martin Booth

“This place comes up time and time again in people’s Bristol favourites which should surprise absolutely no one that’s been there. I used to come to the cafe and revise or read all the time when I was still in uni. In the summertime I love to sit at the outside bar with friends. But their exhibitions can keep me coming all year round. Arnolfini was where I saw my first exhibition in the city. It was at a time when Bristol still felt so unfamiliar and huge (a hilarious thought from someone born and raised in London). It was probably the first place that I looked around and said ‘yeah, I’ll be back soon’.”

East Village Cafe

All of the food and drink at East Village Cafe is 100 per cent vegan – photo: Martin Booth

“This cute little vegan cafe in Clifton Village also has some of the cutest jewellery and trinkets going. If you’re feeling stumped on what to get your friends and family for Christmas, you should look no further than here. There’s really something for everyone at East Village Cafe (and a lot there for me).”

Mickey Zogg’s

Mickey Zogg’s occupies what used to be the Surrey Vaults pub between Portland Square and Brunswick Square – photo: Martin Booth

“This is probably the newest addition to one of my Bristol faves. Mickey Zogg’s bar on Surrey Street in St Paul’s is probably the smallest venue of all the ones on my list but it never fails to be brimming with welcoming crowds and awesome music it feel walls can barely contain it. That’s probably because it also doubles as the studio for Bristol’s independent radio station, Noods. I recently hosted a show at the station as part of the Saffron Records broadcast radio course. Looking out of the booth to see my friends enjoying a show that I created is a feeling I’m not yet ready to forget. And I can’t wait to do it all over again for my guest show in January.”

Elemental Collective

Elemental sell baked goods, Triple Co coffee, and fruit and veg – photo: Martin Booth

“Elemental on Stokes Croft was my saving grace during the heat wave this summer. Every day I would pack up my laptop and notebook from my sweltering room and go to work in there. It’s a community collective that produces their own baked good and fresh produce, so there was also the added benefit of knowing that supporting them meant I was supporting a local business that is truly community minded in all it does.”

Main photo: Paul Douglas

Read more: A day of new DJs on Noods Radio

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