Inside Bristol’s first ever Naked Dining event

The last chunk of bread sits abandoned in the middle of the table – we may be naked but good old British dining etiquette still applies.

It’s not often I find myself completely starkers by the arches on a Tuesday evening, but surrounded by people all similarly unclothed with the tantalising scent of wood-fired pizza wafting in the air, it’s starting to feel like there could be far worse places to be.

Wind back about 15 minutes and the situation was a whole lot more uncomfortable.

Tentatively, I crept inside Flour & Ash for Bristol’s inaugural Dine Naked event to be met by a room filled predominantly with men, sipping from champagne flutes and making polite small talk.

Only the polythene bags ready for clothes to be deposited in set the scene apart from any normal post-work do.

Fighting a strong urge to turn and flee, I did what any self-respecting English woman would do and made a beeline for the bar. Complimentary glass of bubbly in hand, I scan the room for a friendly face and soon strike up a conversation with a nearby man.

He has travelled over from South Wales specially for the occasion and is something of a seasoned naturist as talk soon turns to traffic.

“So the roads were much better than I expected and we got to Bristol just before 6pm,” he concludes, before it transpires everyone has arrived and it’s time to de-robe. Within a flash, my new friend is entirely naked.

In fact, everyone in the room is in the buff and so it’s now or never to join them. For someone who does elaborate contortions beneath a towel to avoid flashing when changing on the beach, this is alien territory. But for the rest of the 30 people here it seems to be perfectly normal.

Earlier fears that this would be a proverbial sausage fest prove partially unfounded as plenty of women are scattered among the eclectic crowd that consists of couples, groups of friends – many of whom bonded through their love of nakedness – and a few first-timers such as myself.

My dining companions, perched on individual towels on the wooden benches, are incredibly welcoming and talks flows easily as we ponder pizza options and pass around the olives.

The group host the odd naked dinner party at home but are clearly thrilled to be able to share the experience at a public event which sold out within three days. Thankfully, it’s also one with black curtains drawn to shield diners from passers-by on Cheltenham Road and plenty of heating on.

Will Bryson is the man behind Bristol’s first ever naked dining event

The event is the brainchild of Will Bryson, who has organised the World Naked Bike Ride in Bristol.

Buoyed up by the success of the evening, he is keen to talk about ideas other venues have come up with for follow-up events – including naked DJs – as he ponders whether anyone will let him host in a beer garden.

Hot and fresh from the wood-fired oven, all attention turns to the pizzas as they arrive. Diners are quick to share as slices are passed around the table so everyone can have a taste of different toppings.

One man casually leans an arm on the bar as (completely starkers) he discusses the beers on offer, while staff (fully clothed) and are attentive, professional and seemingly unfazed throughout.

If there’s one thing Bristol loves, it’s a fad. But what perhaps shouldn’t be surprising is the fact that there is nothing remotely faddish about this experience. Most attendees are dedicated and passionate about their pursuit, or lifestyle choice.

“When you take your clothes off, all barriers are removed,” says one man, who is attending with his wife and comes over to introduce himself to me.

The couple have been naturists for three years and went to Nude Fest for this first time last year – “an incredible experience”.

My new friend says that it is an exceptionally friendly scene, explaining that whereas ‘textiles’ (clothed people) rarely talk to strangers in public situations, groups who choose to go naked will always strike up conversations.

Ice creams are ordered and shared – my chosen combination of ginger and honey & lavender a fragrant delight.

As the night draws to a close, Will stands to thank everyone for coming. He is met with a loud cheer of applause, as are the accommodating Flour & Ash team.

The Naked Bike Ride will take place again this summer

The evening has flown by and I don my clothes with almost as much reluctance as I had taken them off hours prior.

It takes a good 15 extra minutes to leave as the rounds of goodbyes go on and I am showered with invitations to join wild camping weekends, the next Naked Dining event and, of course, this summer’s Naked Bike Ride.

Strip off the layers and you are left with a roomful of genuine, friendly people of all ages, shapes and sizes and it is easy to see how many of society’s hang-ups could be lessened with a bit more nakedness.

Tickets are now on sale for the next Dine Naked event at The Greenbank on Tuesday, March 20. Visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/dinenaked to book. Follow Dine Naked on Twitter, @dinenaked, for details of more upcoming events.

Read more: ‘Eating is a nice thing to do naked’

Main photo courtesy of @howardsmith1964