Features / Bristol

What do you think are the Bristol rites of passage?

By Bristol24/7  Friday Jan 20, 2023

A recent thread on Reddit posed an intriguing question:

“My friends and I are trying to compile a list of everything you need to experience to be a real Bristolian!

“What do you think are the Bristol rites of passage?”

EatDrink24/7 Launch Party is back on July 8 2026!
Exclusive collabs from Bristol’s favourite food vendors, available for one night only. Be first to grab your free copy of the EatDrink24/7 guide – plus every ticket comes with a free limited-edition beer can.

Here are a few of the best replies:

  • Going to the Balloon Fiesta and subsequently vowing to never go back there again
  • Live here long enough to complain about other people moving here
  • Go down the Clifton rock slide
  • Going to Tobacco Factory market, getting scared by the prices and going to Aldi next door
  • Gloucester Road pub crawl
  • Finding the spot that echoes in Cabot Circus
  • Get lost in your own city because they’ve fucked about with the roads / diversions / bridge closures
  • Have a child born in Southmead or St Michael’s
  • Getting your bicycle nicked
  • Having a few halves of Bristolian at the Apple
  • Pizzas from the Grecian on a night out
  • Wait at a bus stop for an hour for a once-every-20-minute bus
  • Going to Bristol Museum on a school trip to visit the Egyptian exhibition (bonus points if you’ve done it as a child and as a parent helper)
  • A visit to Jason Donervan
  • End up on the Portway when you actually wanted to go to Bedminster
  • Be at a gig that Big Jeff is at

Main photo: Martin Booth

Read next:

Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:

Our newsletters emailed directly to you
I want to receive (tick as many as you want):
I'm interested in (for future reference):
Marketing and Privacy Policy

Bristol24/7 will use the information provided on this form to send you marketing from Bristol24/7 and selected advertising partners. Your data will not be passed onto third parties. By completing this form, you are consenting to our use of your data for marketing purposes via email.


We will only use your information in accordance with our privacy policy, which can be viewed here - www.bristol247.com/privacy-policy/ - you can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us, or by contacting us at [email protected]. We will treat your information with respect.


We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here.

EATDRINK24/7 LAUNCH PARTY
CALLING ALL FOODIES!

Bristol's only truly independent food & drink guide is back, and we're throwing a party to celebrate on July 8 2026 at Wiper and True Brewery & Taproom, Old Market.

  • Exclusive collaborations from Bristol's favourite food vendors (you can't try these special dishes anywhere else)
  • Be the first to pick up your free copy of the EatDrink24/7 Guide
  • Music + great drinks
  • Each ticket includes a beer from Wiper and True, a special limited-edition can created just for the occasion.

One night only - don't miss out

Get Your Ticket

Related articles

You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
Independent journalism
is needed now More than ever
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
Join the Better
Business initiative
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
* prices do not include VAT
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
Enjoy delicious local
exclusive deals
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
Wake up to the latest
Get the breaking news, events and culture in your inbox every morning

Are you sure you want to downgrade?

You will lose some benefits you currently enjoy.
Benefits you will lose: