If you’re looking for a bar that offers more than just drinks, the locales in the Stokes Croft neighbourhood in Bristol are unrivalled when it comes to creating a fantastic atmosphere. Read on for the 10 best bars in Stokes Croft.
The Urban Standard is an industrial-styled video game arcade turned bar, an edgy addition to the Stokes Croft bar scene. It is located on Gloucester Road just on the northern tip of the area in central Bristol. The building has been standing since the 1890s and was refurbished and redeveloped into The Urban Standard. Intriguing remains are now key decor features in the bar. Decorated with modern art on the inside, and street art on the outside by My Dog Sighs, this bar serves local craft beers. The kitchen is open during the daytime, serving causal meals and creating a relaxed environment.
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For wine lovers, all roads lead to The Gallimaufry, a quirky wine bar just on the northern edge of Stokes Croft. The ‘Galli’ is as artsy and eclectic as its resident neighbourhood; commissioned paintings and sculptures from local artists adorn the walls and old mismatched furniture makes for a chaotic but comfortable experience. The menu comprises local and rare beers and drinks. ‘Re-using, up-cycling or re-cycling; making the best of what’s available’ is how the Galli came to be popular and established itself as one of the best bars in Stokes Croft.
The Bootlegger’s atmosphere is built ‘on the very best of the 1920s and 30s swing and jazz scene’, a speakeasy-style independent bar serving only sophisticated cocktails for a roaring good time. The family-run business welcomes everyone with open arms, unlike many speakeasies in Bristol which have entrances hidden behind a payphone or an obscure doorbell. Their extensive menu dons more than 90 American-inspired cocktails. Its live music and the cool, calm and collected patrons this bar attracts creates a genuine atmosphere.
The Canteen is one of Stokes Croft’s best bar and restaurants, one of only two venues in all of Bristol to host live music every night of the week. Located in the heart of Stokes Croft next to a famous Banksy, this bar and restaurant promotes artistry and creativity in its space. The Canteen prides itself on inclusivity being at the heart of their ethos, boasting their accessibility and affordability as well as their part in driving the creative resurgence of Stokes Croft. Serving local beers and a healthy food menu, The Canteen is a relaxed venue to enjoy a drink and some top live music.
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No. 51
Restaurant, Pub Grub, $$$
No. 51 is one of the oldest public houses in Bristol, sitting in the core of the city’s cultural quarter of Stokes Croft. The spacious venue provides ample variety within the restaurant itself – downstairs is vibrant and lively as customers dance away to the house DJs and sip on a vast selection of ales, ciders, lagers, wines and spirits. For a more relaxed vibe there is the open-air garden seating with graffiti-covered walls, or the upstairs section for drinks and pizza with a view.
This multi-purpose venue is a budget backpacker’s hostel year-round, a pub-style restaurant during the day, a craft market for independent artists on Saturdays, and one of Stokes Croft’s best bars once the night creeps in. The Full Moon Attic Bar is a meeting place for Bristol’s creatives to enjoy live music, drink local beer and spirits, and dance the night away to DJs playing reggae, funk, ska, hip hop and the likes. With a large courtyard filled with art and sculptures, The Full Moon Attic Bar is a surefire place to have a good night.
The Bell is the perfect pub for a quiet night out, hidden away in Stokes Croft. Getting cosy comes naturally in this homely pub with wooden floors and a heated patio. The Bell caters to all the musicians, artists, and locals of Bristol’s cultural quarter; a range of local art hangs on its walls, and the toilet graffiti art has to be seen to be believed. Serving British Butcombe bitter among other national and local beers, this pub is a great place to kick back on a Sunday night.
At The Crofter’s Rights, ‘Beer, Pizza and Music’ is their ethos. The restaurant and bar is a versatile space for locals to express their creativity, and settle down with a drink and listen to the wide variety of live music. Upon entry, this restaurant and bar’s centrepiece is the wide expanse of chalkboard with an impressive and enticing array of fine craft beers from around the UK. This bar is a great place to learn about new artists and sample different drinks – the menu here changes often.
The Love Inn offers a surprising and eclectic range of internationally acclaimed live music and DJs in the heart of Stokes Croft. Known for the great one-off events held here, The Love Inn always provides new and exciting reasons to make this bar and restaurant your destination for a night out. The team behind the creation of The Love Inn also organise popular music festivals such as Love Saves the Day in Bristol and The Garden Festival in Croatia, and stalls sell their Southern-style food at UK festivals like Glastonbury.
Bar, Pub, Pub Grub, Wine, Beer, Cocktails, British, $$$
The Pipe and Slippers is a lively, spacious bar that is a go-to destination and a prime north-of-the-river institution in Stokes Croft. There’s a tantalising array of premium and super-premium beers, ciders and spirits that deck out their menu and DJs take over on late-night weekends. High ceilings, dim lighting and a warm welcome are beloved characteristics of this favourite bar. This award-winning venue is one of the best gems of Stokes Croft.
