Features / Clubs
An introduction to Bristol’s LGBTQ+ scene
Bristol is home to one of the most active LGBTQ+ scenes in the UK, and certainly the most unique. If you want to dive into Bristol’s inclusive, supportive, and eclectic queer culture, but don’t know where to start, look no further than this guide.
Big Clubs
OMG is the city’s biggest LGBTQ+ venue, and a regular destination for the uni LGBTQ+ societies.
On a budget? Wednesday is the night for cheap drinks deals.
1-2 Frog Lane, BS1 5NF
Omg Wednesday’s are a big student night – photo: courtesy of OMG Bristol
For more local flavour, try Queenshilling.
This venue plays host to regular drag nights, karaoke nights, and loads more events, as well as outstanding club nights.
9 Frogmore Street, BS1 5NA
Events
Bristol Pride is one of the UK’s best annual pride events- political, inclusive, and fun. Look out for the events over the summer, but make sure to get your afterparty tickets well in advance- they sell out fast!
Bristol Pride marches through the city centre – photo: Dan Regan
If you’re looking for a club night, but fancy something a little more alternative than the lineup at the big clubs, you can’t go wrong with Punka.
This monthly event features burlesque and an eclectic indie and alt-rock soundtrack courtesy of resident DJ Stu.
If quirky and eccentric queer performance art is your thing, you’d best keep a close eye on Wig In A Box, Bristol-based promoters of the most unique live queer art in the UK!
Don’t miss their David Lynch themed cabaret on November 12.
Art and Media
Want to get familiar with some of the most beautiful places in your new home city, and celebrate the stories of queer Bristolians at the same time?
Look no further than LGBTQ+ Faces Of Bristol, a portrait photography project run by Karen Freer. Karen’s gorgeous photographs capture some of Bristol’s iconic locations, and more importantly, the stories of Bristol’s queer residents, all of which can be found on instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CRUL2kxMna_/
ShoutOut Radio is the South West and Wales’ biggest LGBTQ+ radio show, based out of BCfm in Bristol. Broadcasting from their Easton studio every Thursday at 7pm, ShoutOut shares a diverse range of fun and interesting content and interviews with queer people from near and far.
Support
Kiki Bristol is a collective who create safe and supportive social spaces for queer PoC in the city, and promote the beauty of QTIPoC joy through events, activism and art.
Freedom is the LGBTQ+ branch of Bristol peer support service Off The Record. Freedom helps you to connect with LGBTQ+ people like you, as well as access mental health and peer support services, both in-person and online.
www.otrbristol.org.uk/what-we-do/freedom
Main photo: Dan Regan
Read more: City gyms vs university gyms
Listen to the latest episode of the Behind the Headlines podcast:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
