Bristol city guide: Everything to eat, drink and do on your next staycation

Cosmopolitan

16 hours ago

Skins, Banksy, Massive Attack and… the bungee jump were all forged in Bristol. It's also the place where I was invited on a 'boat' trip to Bath and the boat turned out to be a paddle board, but the less said about that the better.
Considering its legacy of creating fun, cool things, it's no surprise that, every time I go there, Bristol surprises me. It's a place full of variety, with so many different things to do (and food and drink to consume). Here's everything I've loved in the city…
Corn Street, located in Bristol's old town, is a hub for restaurants and bars. A wander up and down offers so many different options, from chain places (don't knock it, sometimes it's nice to go to somewhere you know and love) to more unusual restaurants and bars, in magnificent buildings that I'm told were once banks and merchant halls in the 18th Century.
The Harbour Kitchen, housed in an old banking hall, manages to be both chic and romantic with modern floral seating, cornflower blue walls and, most crucially, a simple but classic menu that changes with the season.
Speaking of harbours, during the summer, heading down to the harbour and eating by the water, is a surefire way to find a buzzy atmosphere. We had brunch at No1 Harbourside, which had plenty of veggie and vegan options. Sourcing only locally sourced ingredients, and drinks, is the cafe at arts centre, Arnolfini, now managed by award-winning, independent brewery Bristol Beer Factory. They serve food until 3pm, and have an outdoor decking area (as well as plenty of tables inside, in case it's chilly). The Olive Shed also has a huge outdoor terrace, that serves organic and local tapas, overlooking the waterfront.
Up in Clifton, which, surrounding the famous (and breathtakingly beautiful) Clifton Suspension Bridge is a warren of cobblestone streets, perfect for mooching about in, stopping for coffee and snacks along the way. For the best view of the world-famous bridge (it's 702-foot long and 250-foot high!) and towers above Avon Gorge, Goram & Vincent, has views wherever you sit, thanks to its floor-to-ceiling windows and massive outdoor terrace.
As soon as I heard there was a bar that served as a filming location for Disney+ historical drama Rivals I knew I had to go and see if I could find my very own Declan O' Hara. Or, at the very least, pretend that I was a glamorous 80s seductive siren (without the shoulder-pads). The Gold Bar (also on Corn Street) is so opulent it really has to be seen to be believed. Its eclectic styling included vintage neon-lit posters, floral wallpaper and huge mirrored chests to rest your cocktail on.
But, if you prefer pints over cocktails, you're better off heading to King Street, a famous cobbled street housing historic pubs as well as newer openings that pride themselves on their craft beer. We took a wander down there one afternoon and found locals bursting out the doorways, with live music playing in almost every pub. Or, if you fancy a pint of cider (the drink Bristol is famous for) The Apple is a pub dedicated to the stuff, housed, on a boat over two floors.
Let's face it, city-breaks can be absolutely exhausting. Sometimes you don't want to see a castle (although Bristol's was established all the way back in the 11th Century and plenty of people love to visit the remains…) and you just need to chill. I spent a lovely solo-morning at the Bristol Lido, an outdoor heated pool, communal sauna and steam-room with massage treatment rooms. After a couple of laps (and a gossip with locals in the sauna) head upstairs for lunch in the glass-fronted pool-side restaurant. I felt so smug sitting there, after my swim, with my book and a spritz.
If you're planning a group trip, and need something to make an endless pub crawl more fun, try Alcotraz. It's a themed bar, with a twist: you 'smuggle' your liquor in (by the way, this means bringing a bottle of a spirit of your choice) become part of the story, and your fellow inmates (the bar staff, but don't tell anyone) mix you personalised cocktails. It's silly and made all the more fun if you truly get into character.
Speaking of immersive, Bristol is also home to the UK's largest immersive art experience, Wake The Tiger. It has over 40 uniquely different and interactive spaces and is like stepping into a huge playground. Warning: there are slides, so wear flat shoes (and don't wear a short skirt!)
There's something so 'home-away-from-home' about staying in a hotel that's situated above a pub. I will also always choose this option when travelling on my own, as, when you're getting a footing in a new city, there's something so comforting, on the first night, to have a small wander, before having some food in the pub below your room. It's a good way of settling in and feeling at home somewhere.
Saying that, the rooms at Horts Townhouse, also scream 'romantic night away'. Each of the 19 brand new and individually designed boutique bedrooms are different, some have roll top baths, others have space if you want to bring along your dog. But what they all have in common is rainfall showers, Nespresso coffee machine, huge beds and a well-stocked mini-bar for tucking into, in robes after… well, whatever you choose to do in that massive bed.
Another nearby option is the Radisson Blu, an 18-storey high-rise with 176 rooms, right beside the harbour in the city centre. It offers 24-hour room service, unlimited Wi-Fi and the bar overlooks the waterfront. It's the perfect place if there's a group of you heading to Bristol for a girl's weekend, especially as it's a short walk away from Corn Street and town.
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Catriona Innes is Cosmopolitan UK's multiple award-winning Commissioning Editor, who has won BSME awards both for her longform investigative journalism as well as for leading the Cosmopolitan features department. Alongside commissioning and editing the features section, both online and in print, Catriona regularly writes her own hard-hitting investigations spending months researching some of the most pressing issues affecting young women today.
She has spent time undercover with specialist police forces, domestic abuse social workers and even Playboy Bunnies to create articles that take readers to the heart of the story. Catriona is also a published author, poet and volunteers with a number of organisations that directly help the homeless community of London. She's often found challenging her weak ankles in towering heels through the streets of Soho. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter.