Often doubling as live music venues, the city has night clubs on boats and in basements, themed around different music styles or cultures, karaoke or the 80s. Whatever you’re looking for, chances are there’s a Bristol night club that delivers the vibe you’re looking for.
1. Motion
Regarded as one of the best clubs in the world, Motion has made the transition from skatepark to one of the UK’s top venues for world-renowned DJs. This massive club close to Temple Meads station may look unprepossessing but the names behind the decks are world class. There’s something for everyone across the entire complex from Hospitality events, Run, Dazed, legendary day parties in the summer and Bingo Lingo. If you’re in Bristol looking for a big club night, then you’d be hard pressed to beat Motion. The club regularly hosts big nights which often sell out so pre-buying tickets is recommended.
2. Crofters Rights
Crofters Rights, located in Stokes Croft, is a staple for partiers and students alike. Serving up a selection of excellent beers and ciders on tap and music that will keep you dancing through until the early hours. At the back of the bar is a dancefloor area which homes a huge disco ball right in the centre of the ceiling – and nothing sets the party atmosphere quite like a giant disco ball!
3. The Bootlegger
Craft beers, cocktails and music combine to make the Bootlegger Bristol’s number one rated nightclub on Tripadvisor. Although technically a cocktail bar, the Bootlegger has a dancefloor so we’ve decided to include it in this list (as we love it!). The cocktail list is extensive (they even serve vegan cocktails) and it’s a perfect Gloucester Road venue if you’re not up to heading down to Stokes Croft for a 5am’er. The venue also plays host to some great live bands.
4. Pryzm
When most people think of a big nightclub, they think of a venue like Pryzm, with its 7 themed rooms and 5 different bars. With a shisha room, different club nights, and a luxurious VIP suite this is a state of the art club that bills itself as a ‘modern-day Colosseum’. It certainly won’t suit your average Motion clubber, being far too mainstream for those more into their underground beats. It certainly goes down well with stags and hens though and those looking for stylish surroundings and wall to wall music across every genre, from EDM to pure 80s cheese.
5. Love Inn
In the heart of fashionable and party central Stokes Croft, the Love Inn is one of the best clubs in central Bristol for a late night boogie. In the daytime, the venue serves food with some fantastic pop-ups but by night it becomes one big dancefloor; all that the venue is not particularly big that’s certainly part of its intimate charm with clubbers literally arm’s length from the DJ booth. Brought to you by the people behind Love Saves the Day, you would expect high-quality DJs and the venue doesn’t disappoint. The music varies but the club is known for hosting some of the best minimal house and techno nights in Bristol. It’s one of the city’s latest opening venues as well, with some nights going on until 6am.
6. Attic Bar
Full Moon Attic Bar, which is located right at the start of the nightlife hub that is Stokes Croft, is one of the most popular pubs in Bristol. Offering a great selection of lagers, Real Ales, ciders and much more, alongside great music every night with DJs playing every weekend. Expect Dub, Reggae, Deep House, Techno and so much more!
7. Queenshilling
Bristol has one of the best LGBTQ+ scenes in the country and at its heart is the venerable Queenshilling, the oldest gay club in the city. Housed in a fabulous Art Deco building, this award-winning club hosts a number of themed nights plus one of the best karaoke nights anywhere. Located at the centre of Frogmore Street, Queenshilling is the beating heart of the LGBTQ+ scene alongside the Bristol Bear Bar. OMG, and a host of other great bars and clubs.
8. Thekla
An old cargo ship from the 1950s, Thekla is one of the biggest live music venues in the country and an award winning one at that. After years of being run as an underground nightclub, 2006 saw the DHP Family take over and now host a range of music from artists such as Lowkey, Rhys Lewis, Rebecca Black, Dub War and many more. Located in Bristol City Centre’s Floating Harbour, this 600-capacity boat is open all hours of the day, with several events each week.
9. Basement 45
Three dance floors, three bars and a location in one of the most dynamic areas of the city make Basement 45 one of the best DJ led clubs around. A fixture since 2009, this 300 capacity club is an intimate venue with a reputation for promoting local labels, artists, and promoters. Located very centrally on Frogmore Street, there’s always a good crowd and this subterranean club is at the heart of city centre dance culture. Over the years Basement 45 has mutated from just another drum ‘n’ bass venue to something much more interesting with a broader spectrum of music and offering DJ lessons and equipment hire as well as banging club nights.
10. Mr Wolfs
Mr Wolfs is a family run venue which has been around for 20-years now, that celebrates and promotes the diverse, creative and talent that Bristols music scene has to offer. You’ll find a variety of entertainment such as open mic nights, DJs, brass bands, and award-winning artists throughout the week. There are two areas to dance within the venue as well as a photobooth to snap a photo with your friends that you probably won’t want to remember in the morning!
