Live Music Pubs in Bristol

Originally built in 1775 this cosy traditional pub has recently been refurbished to give it a lighter feel, with pictures and horse brasses on the walls. A long term guide entry with a good range of real ales served, with daily changes usually including a dark ale. The attractive beer garden has an extended seating area to both the front and side of the pub, some of which is lighted and covered. Bar snacks including filled rolls and pork pies are usually available.

Bristol Cruising Club

Sabrina 6, Redcliffe Backs, Bristol BS1 6LY

A club for boaters and those interested in boating of all types and sizes in the heart of Bristol. Members enjoy discounted council mooring fees, many entertainment events throughout the year and a well stocked bar with very reasonable prices. The club meets on the first Tuesday of every month starting at 8.00pm. New members are always made welcome.

Coronation Tap

8 Sion Place, Bristol BS8 4AX

Tucked away just yards from the Suspension Bridge, this is Bristol's most famous cider house. It dates back at least to the beginning of the nineteenth century, possibly further. Home of the famous Coronation Tap Exhibition Cider (8.4% abv). Very popular with students in term time.

Cosies

34, Portland Square, Bristol BS2 8RG

A real Jekyll and Hyde subterranean bar. On workday lunchtimes, it is popular with the business crowd, offering reasonably priced food and a nice drop of ale. In the evenings, it becomes a music venue/club.. Note the two outdoor tables under the arches. The guest beer changes almost weekly.

Bootlegger

233 Cheltenham Road, Bristol BS6 5QP

Food, drinks, service and music are inspired by prohibition era traditions but also offer the very best of contemporary modern America.

Brewhouse & Kitchen

31-35 Cotham Hill, Bristol BS6 6JY

Popular brewpub and dining spot, within 100 yards of Clifton Down station, reopened in March 2015 on the site of the 18th-century Whiteladies Tavern. The brewery is at one end of the large bar and catches the eye (and nose, on brewing days) upon entry to the pub. Of the beers brewed in-house all are suitable for both vegans and vegetarians., except Treason, the award-winning chocolate milk stout. A changing selection of bottled and canned beers is provided, including a variety of Belgian beers. Brewery experience days and Brewing Masterclasses are available throughout the year, as well as Beer and Food Matching experiences. A function room is available upstairs. Newspapers and board games are provided, and major international rugby games are shown on TV. A patio area is located just across the road from the pub, which is popular in the summer months

Cotham Porter Stores

15 Cotham Road South, Bristol BS6 5TZ

Now owned by Wickwar, reopened Aug 2013. Three beers available, often from Wickwar along with two traditional ciders. Decorated in a modern light colour scheme, in the hospital district of Bristol. As you enter there are settles along the wall to your left, and more formal seating through at the back. They offer loyalty card scheme, buy six pints, get seventh free.

PBA Club

Nibley Road, Bristol BS11 9XW

Sports TV

Associate membership of "The City & Port Of Bristol Social & Sports Club" is available to all.

Shirehampton Mens Social Club

High Street, Bristol BS11 0DG

Smoking Area

Sports TV

Part of 'The Lawn' Property, this was originally the Coach-House before being converted into use as Shirehampton Mens Social Club in 1954. A CIU club in the centre of Shirehampton.

Cross Hands

1 Staple Hill Road, Bristol BS16 5AA

A traditional coaching inn from circa 1884 which was refurbished in 2010. Set at the junction where two major roads meet to become one which means that multiple bus routes pass directly by. Family friendly with an enclosed rear garden and play area and a popular sun trap patio area at the front. The two real ales are complemented by a changing guest. Orchard Pig and Westons cider plus a guest too. The food is a mix of traditional British and Malaysian cuisine, with a very popular Sunday roast and steak night every Thursday. The upstairs function room is available for hire with or without it's own bar. Disabled access is good and dogs are welcome inside in the area around the bar and outside. Regular events include a quiz on the first and third Tuesday, open mic nights, ukelele classes, choir or folk nights.

Caribbean Croft

30 Stokes Croft, Bristol BS1 3QD

Caribbean bar with a large selection of rums, a small selection of other spirits and keg beers.

Lost & Found

85 Queens Road, Bristol BS8 1QS

Reopened in April 2018 after some time closed as part of the Marston's chain of cocktail bars Lost & Found.

Kongs of King Street

13-15 Kings Street, Bristol BS1 4EF

A new bar opened Oct 2014. Aimed at the student market with video games, table tennis and table football .

Old Market Assembly

25 West Street, Bristol BS2 0DF

Real Fire

When opened in 2015, by the same team which also runs the Canteen and No.1 Harbourside, this bar/café was conceived as a venue where food, drink, music, culture and events could connect people from all walks of life. It is also the first venue in Bristol to sign up for the ‘Zero Tolerance’ campaign, committing to provide a safe respectful space for anyone and everyone. The building, originally an old bank, keeps the high ceiling, pillars, cornices and a mezzanine floor, decorated in the Ionic style. An outdoor roof terrace is a well-used feature. One regular and up to four changing real ales are served, generally sourced from local breweries. The sustainable restaurant has an onsite organic sourdough bakery, and vegetarian, vegan and gluten free dishes are always available. Varied entertainment takes place in the bar at weekends, and events for families and children are also held. Through the bar is a quiet room, with a corridor leading to a small theatre where the Wardrobe Theatre company is based, providing an action-packed programme of live theatre almost every night of the year. Disabled access is via an alleyway to the side of the building (left of the entrance) which has a doorbell for entry.

Chums

22 Chandos Road, Bristol BS6 6PF

Chums became Bristol's second micropub when it opened in April 2016 in converted shop premises. The pub won local CAMRA Pub of the Year in 2018. Conversation rules, there being no recorded music, TV, gaming machines or wifi, and where electronic communication devices should be used with discretion. Real ales are dispensed from half a dozen handpumps, with a dark ale always available. A similar number of traditional ciders are from bag-in-box, including three different ones from Gwatkins. A selection of wines and spirits are available. Food consists of simple bar snacks including filled rolls and cockles. Last orders is called half an hour before closing due to licencing restrictions. Quiz night is every other Wednesday with live music, including sing arounds, on the intervening weeks, as well as live music on some Saturday nights. Check the website for details. Two beer festivals are held annually, one of which coincides with the community street party.

Crown Inn

10 All Saints Lane, Bristol BS1 1JH

Function Room

18th century pub with two entrancesvia the historic and eclectic St Nicholas Market, reopened after refurbishment in November 2021. A range of real ales on offer at 'ground' level, while there is expanded Live Music provision in the basement area. Toilets are upstairs, but there is a disabled toilet on the ground floor and disabled access via the rear entrance.

Crown Tavern

17 Lawfords Gate, Bristol BS2 0DY

Traditional Pub Games

A very traditional but now increasingly rare brickwork frontage hides a lively and welcoming locals' pub. The doorway belies the pub's two-bar origins, but these days it has all been knocked together. There are green settles and seats, with wood and wrought iron tables. Tuesday afternoon and Saturday night singalong sessions are now Karaoke - Not for youngsters!

Drawbridge

14-15 St Augustine's Parade, Bristol BS1 4UT

Popular city centre pub, set on two floors with several distinct rooms and corridors encircling the central bar area. Weekend DJ music, and a large screen TV. It is a popular pre-club venue. There is a heated rooftop terrace accessible from the first floor, and a cashpoint machine downstairs. There are five real ale handpumps offering a variety of local beers and occasionally those from further afield. CAMRA vouchers are accepted here.

Exchange Coffee Shop & Kitchen

72-73 Old Market Street, Bristol BS2 0EJ

Close to Bus Routes

During the day a coffee shop which closes at 4pm on non gig nights, alcohol is served from 4pm to 7pm to everyone on gig nights see web site for listings.

Ill Repute

16 West Street, Bristol BS2 0DF

Pub opening in 2020 with a strong emphasis on supporting the local beer scene. A selection of craft beers on tap including 4 on cask.

Eastfield

219 Henleaze Road, Bristol BS9 4NQ

Taken over during lockdown by the same team that runs the nearby Westbury Park. This large roadside pub is very spacious with many drinking areas, refurbished throughout to create a vintage feel. It also boasts an impressively large garden at the back, which has been revamped with a restored pond (but no longer any pets) and a new children's play area. The full-sized skittle alley has also been refurbished to league standard, and will no longer double as an indoor children's playroom. The guest beers are mostly from local breweries. Food is freshly cooked pub classics with locally-sourced ingredients, plus an occasional pop-up guest menu.

Zed Alley

Zed Alley, Host Street, Bristol BS1 5AE

Close to Bus Routes

A live music venue

Eldon House

6 Lower Clifton Hill, Bristol BS8 1BT

This cosy end-of-terrace pub lies close to the busy Clifton Triangle. Get off a bus there or near the top of Park Street and head a short way down Jacobs Wells Road. The beers include guests from well-chosen independent brewers, often local, and occasionally from further afield. There are also several keg beers from local breweries. Many events are hosted, including a Monday quiz, live music every Sunday and occasional Saturdays and a tango night every third Wednesday. Part of the pub can be hired for private functions at no cost.

Basement Beers

32 Upper York Street, Bristol BS2 8QN

Disabled Access

Brewery and Tap Room replacing the former Croft Brewery which closed in 2020. As the Tap is only open Friday/Saturday evenings the beer range is limited at present to 'Craft Keg Beers' Cask beers will be introduced as soon as it becomes viable along with extended opening hours. The Tap is dog friendly and future plans include occasional live music.

Boardroom

20 St Nicholas Street, Bristol BS1 1UB

Function Room

A mellow oasis in the city centre where you can find an extensive range of craft keg beers, lagers and wines. There is a US-style central bar with high seating around. The bar has low density lighting and ambient background music is played at a low volume. No regular food is served but cheeseboards are available on request. You are welcome to bring your own lunch.

Pasture

2 Portwall Lane, Bristol BS1 6NB

Previously a Thai restaurant, now the down stairs is a bar that serves local craft beer with music on Friday and Saturday nights . With a light and airy steak restaurant upstairs with views of St Marys Redcliffe.

Famous Royal Navy Volunteer

17-18 King Street, Bristol BS1 4EF

Accommodation

Run by the same people who operate Nettle & Rye in Clifton, TFRNV is one of the many popular pubs on King Street, keeping its customers warm in front of the snug fireplace in winter, and cool(er) on its sun-trap, roof terrace and street-level benches in summer. Although pump clips are not displayed, beer boards on both sides of the bar display which local and/or independent cask and keg beers are on offer, with prices shown for third, half and full pints. Up to eight cask beers are available but often there are only four. Sports are often shown on the TVs in the pub, although the building is big enough to avoid the match if desired. Disabled access at rear. There are four self-contained flats, bookable with Airbnb.

Farm

Hopetoun Road, Bristol BS2 9YL

Many pubs are known as community pubs, but few fulfil the role as actively as The Farm. Whether it's the family welcome during the day, the pre-club atmosphere at night, or the prominent role it takes at the annual St Werburgh's Festival. The garden is fully enclosed, and there are even converted pig houses (honestly) to shelter in when it rains. There are regular live music and DJ fixtures.

Fire Engine

188 Church Road, Bristol BS5 9HX

Parking

Well presented and historic main road pub between St George and the Kingswood/Hanham fork. There is live entertainment on Saturdays and four screens on which to watch football, cricket and any other live sport. The car park is to the rear.

Thekla Dockside Bar

The Grove, East Mud Dock, Bristol BS1 4RB

Close to Bus Routes

New table service bar opening 31 July 2020 , while the music venue is closed.

Beard & Sabre Taphouse

22 Denmark Street, Bristol BS1 5DQ

The tap room for Beard & Sabre Cider. One bar and drinking area, with stools made out of unikegs and the tables out of barrels. There are six keg lines, offering three Beard & Sabre ciders, two guest ciders, and a lager. A bottle fridge offers a large selection of other craft ciders. Seating is available outside on wooden bench tables on Denmark Street on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. There are live music sessions and a Friday pub quiz. Hot food can be brought in, with customers encouraged to use the Foodstuff ordering service.

Fleece

12 St Thomas Street, Bristol BS1 6JJ

One of Bristol's premier live music venues with nationally known acts frequently playing here, and live music seven nights a week. There is often an entrance fee, so you should phone for details. It's actually a former warehouse, so the acoustics work really well.

Gloucester Road Ale House

99 Gloucester Road, Bristol BS7 8AT

Function Room

This is a small, historic pub positioned in the middle of a terrace of independent shops down the Gloucester Road. Fully refurbished after being closed for over a year and reopened in February 2016. Now spread over two floors , the the downstairs bar having 6 hand pumps including a cider, with the smaller upstairs bar having 3 hand pumps.

Foresters Arms

94 Ashley Down Road, Bristol BS7 9JR

Traditional Pub Games

Reopened on October 13th 2019 after a period closed, this is a large street-corner, redbrick, community pub approximately 300 yards off the Gloucester Road.

Full Moon

1 North Street, Bristol BS1 3PR

Accommodation

This is a wood-panelled pub stretching well back from Stokes Croft. There is a terrace at the front for summer days, with the Atic bar on the far side a live music venue.

Kask

51 North Street, Bristol BS3 1EN

Wine bar, deli and shop reopened in October 21st after many years as various pubs.

Black Cat

26 West Street, Bristol BS3 3LH

Traditional Pub Games

Jukebox

Street corner local not far from the pedestrian shopping district of East Street.

George Inn

228 Wells Road, Bristol BS4 2AX

Parking

Mid 19th Century pub near the top of the hill on Wells Road. Live music every Saturday night, quiz every Sunday, large function room with bar, pool and darts.

George Inn

High Street, Bristol BS11 0DP

Large village centre local on Shirehampton High Street. There are carpeted floors and dark wood furniture, 2 televisions, and a big screen, darts, fruit machines, and a covered smoking area.

Golden Guinea

19 Guinea Street, Bristol BS1 6SX

Cosy backstreet local, close to the waterside in the Redcliffe area, with wooden floors, contemporary flock wallpaper and urban art on the walls. Reclaimed furniture and french mirrors give the pub a modern but retro feel. There are three terraces, homemade food and an eclectic music policy. Cask beers come from a variety of small and medium-sized breweries and a range of local bottled beers is also served.

Golden Lion

244 Gloucester Road, Bristol BS7 8NZ

For a while Finnegan's Wake, this music pub is in a bustling area with a strong residential and student population. This pub has open mic night on Mondays, live music Tuesday - Saturday and a film club on Sundays.

Golden Lion

641 Fishponds Road, Bristol BS16 3BA

Small, popular with locals single bar pub with a strong emphasis on music. The pub has been refurbished in 2014, and externally repainted in a blue and cream colour scheme. The flooring is a light wood colour veneer and there are two televisions, a dartboard, a pool table and more available seating. There is live music every Friday and once or twice a month on Sundays . NO CHILDREN

Grain Barge

Mardyke Wharf, Hotwell Road, Bristol BS8 4RU

Open from 10am every day for coffee and breakfast, licensed from noon, this moored barge was built in 1936 and converted into a floating pub by Bristol Beer Factory in 2007. It boasts great views of the SS Great Britain, the floating harbour and passing boats. There is seating with wooden tables at either end of the central bar, and an extended shelf by the wind overlooking the water. The garden area is actually the top open top deck of the boat, but recently additional seating has been added on the pavement next to the boat. Food nights include Wednesday pie and a pint, Thursday steak club and Sunday roasts. Other activities include a Monday night quiz, a Wednesday Open Mic night and live music some other evenings.

Kings Head

91 Bridgwater Road, Bristol BS13 8AE

Parking

Imposing pub at the high point of Bedminster Down. There is a large rear garden. Popular with locals and office workers.

Green Man

21 Alfred Place, Bristol BS2 8HD

Grade II-listed Dawkins pub, licensed since 1851, repainted in 2020. The beers are from the Dawkins range, plus up to four independent guests. West Country ciders are sold too. Also there are permanent lines from Lost and Grounded (Keller pils) and Wiper&True (Kaleidoscope) and Budvar original czech lager. Off-Sales also available. Regular live music and a pub quiz every Wednesday. The pub hosts two beer festivals per year, usually with a theme. Small patio to the rear for smokers.

Bristol Fringe Cafe Bar

32 Princess Victoria Street, Bristol BS8 4BZ

A live music venue that used to be the Greyhound

Greyhound

82 Lodge Causeway, Bristol BS16 3JP

Under New management and refurbished February 2017 After a long period closed and boarded up, this roadside pub reopened on Feb 14th 2014. It is a simple locals' pub, with a couple of large screen TVs. Live music and entertainment is on Friday and Saturday nights, and the pub has darts teams.

Gryphon

41 Colston Street, Bristol BS1 5AP

A shrine to dark beer and great rock/heavy metal music in which posters, guitars and many pump clips adorn the walls. Triangular in shape due to its corner plot and just a few yards up the hill from the Bristol Beacon (former Colston Hall), it has handpumps dispensing anything up to six rapidly changing and generally never to be seen again brews, many dark and often strong. Live bands sometimes play upstairs and there are 'MetAle' beer festivals in March and September. There are good discounts on draught or bottled beers at certain times Monday to Thursday. The pub may open earlier on Sundays and may be available for private hire before 4pm weekdays. Children and dogs are admitted at the licensee's discretion.

Hare On The Hill

41 Thomas Street North, Bristol BS2 8LX

Small street-corner local with an impressive traditional green-tiled frontage. The pub is simply furnished with a warm and welcoming feel throughout the stripped-back wood interior. Four handpumps offer a range of locally brewed beers. Regulars include Moor, Arbor, Bristol Beer Factory, Croft Ales, and New Bristol Brewery, as well as breweries from further afield such as Tapstone, Siren, Burning Sky, Buxton, and Marble. The six craft keg fonts also feature several Bristol-based brewers. The pub also hosts an array of events, including a weekly pub quiz, live music, low-key DJs on Saturday nights, and jazz piano evenings twice a month on a Wednesday evening.

Hatchet Inn

27 Frogmore Street, Bristol BS1 5NA