People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol Favourites: Alex Nicholson-Evans
Alex Nicholson-Evans is founder and director of Living for the Weekend, the company behind Bristol Cocktail Weekend.
Running from September 25 to 28, Bristol Cocktail Weekend features more than 30 of Bristol’s best bars, each offering an exclusive cocktail and mocktail. There will also be special events including masterclasses, tastings and even wild swims.
Alex is based in Birmingham, where she is the first ‘city curator’ for Birmingham’s city centre, leading “creative initiatives, festivals and public art to transform the urban experience”.
is needed now More than ever
These are Alex’s top-five Bristol favourites:
Underfall Yard and the nearby water
The cafe at Underfall Yard has a panoramic view of the docks – photo: Martin Booth
“I had the dreamiest morning here a few weeks back. A refreshing morning swim with Bristol Wild Swimmers and then a latte in the sunshine at Underfall Yard. Stunning, no notes.”
Broad Street
No visit to Broad Street is complete without a coffee from Full Court Press – photo: Martin Booth
“Can I have a whole street? Or a bit of it at least? You’ve got the only surviving medieval gateway at St John on the Wall, the Grade II listed art nouveau style frontage of the former Everard’s printing works, now the Clayton Hotel. You can admire Conor Harrington’s The Duel of Bristol mural. And you’ve got Full Court Press for a really good coffee while you take it all in.”
St Mary Redcliffe Church
Queen Elizabeth I is said to have referred to St Mary Redcliffe as “the fairest, goodliest and most famous parish church in England” during her visit to Bristol in 1574 – photo: Martin Booth
“My best friend is not remotely religious so when she said, ‘you have to take a look at this church,’ I knew it would be special. Queen Elizabeth I was also a big fan, but you know, personal recommendations are the best kind. Anyway, they were both spot on about St Mary Redcliffe. Incredible gothic architecture and beautiful stained glass. A special place.”
Filthy XIII
Filthy XIII: for fans of cocktails and Roman numerals – photo: Filthy XIII
“I can’t run Bristol Cocktail Weekend and not include a bar on this list now can I? Filthy XIII on Cheltenham Road won the accolade of ‘Best Bar in the West’ for good reason. The drinks are best in class and the team is a dream. It’s just a brilliant place to spend an hour or two.”
St Nick’s Market
A favourite pitstop for Alex in St Nick’s Market is Eatchu on Exchange Avenue – photo: Martin Booth
“I love coming to St Nick’s Market on a sunny day. Something about the way the light falls just does it for me. Obviously lots of delicious things to eat too – find me grabbing a Matina wrap, Eatchu dumplings or a green juice and some kind of ginger / wheatgrass shot from Big Juice if I’m feeling saintly.”
Main photo: Victoria Beddoes
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
