Going out guide: Bristol

Demajerle is a Bristol-based DJ, writer and restaurant manager.

Best club night

There are so many good nights I could name, but Club Djembe is the one. They use all the best venues in the city, like Strange Brew, The Love Inn, and Trinity Centre, and push forward percussion-led grooves from across the world. Also a record label, they’ve blended genres like amapiano, gqom and modern UK funky to create a real movement in Bristol with their releases and fun parties.

Three local DJs to look out for on flyers

Izzit, DJ Chiedza, DJ Fiat 500.

The local rapper who could blow up
Kwazi. He’s a great young lyricist making huge waves, spreading positivity and representing the city properly.

A decent local band

Jabu are an experiential trio blending the raw edge of industrial dub with dreamy layers of ambient pop and shoegaze.

Legendary artists you need to have listened to

Kahn & Neek, Batu and Sir Hiss.

Nightlife photographer who you want to be snapped by

Tia Payne

Best boozer

The Star & Garter. This family-run Jamaican pub in St Paul’s has been a cornerstone of Bristol’s music scene for over 30 years and it’s said to be Massive Attack’s spiritual home.

Bar which serves past midnight

Cosies! It’s a St Paul’s staple and any nightlife lover who’s lived here over the past three decades will have an intriguing story about a wild night down those steps.

Beloved takeaway

Rice & Things. ​“Yuh want it hot or cold?”

Café for the morning after

Farro.

A shop to buy your outfit

Blues. The city’s aesthetic among younger people often leans toward the generally laid-back, ​‘messy’ vibe. So Blues stands out with by stocking slick streetwear brands like Aries, Brain Dead and Pop Trading Company.

Hyperlocal fashion trend:

Trustafarians with dreadlocks and low-cut fringes. They’re everywhere!

LGBTQ space

Cloak.

Local hero

We have famous Jeffs. One is a Stokes Croft legend who never fails to put a smile on everyone’s faces when he greets them in the street. Big Jeff, meanwhile, can be found in the front row at literally every decent gig in the city.

The coolest local radio station

Noods. The independent station is broadcast from Mickey Zoggs pub in Stokes Croft, so you can listen to some of the country’s best underground selectors while sipping a Guinness and eating a Zoggs arancini. Noods also stands out also for its commitment to nurturing new talent through Noods Levels, a development arm offering free programs and workshops for young creatives eager for the industry.

The place to avoid on a night out

The entire Park Street and Clifton Triangle area.

What not to say to a local

“Where’s the Bristol Arena?”