Alternative entertainment

Student life is often depicted as an ever-so-hazy, fly by experience. Emphasis can be heavily placed on drinking culture, clubbing and nightlife, without mentioning the other secret lives that young people live outside the pub. Check out some of these alternate entertainment venues if you fancy a night with a chance of getting to bed before the clock strikes twelve.

STORY SLAMS AND POETRY NIGHTS

Milk Poetry – Bristol Old Vic, King Street, BS1 4ED: Head along to hear some of Bristol’s ‘freshest and most nutritious’ poetry.

Raise the Bar –Various locations: Raise the Bar holds some of Bristol’s most acclaimed spoken word and live arts events.

Let me tell you a story Jack – The Crofters Rights, 117-119 Stokes Croft, Cotham, BS1 3RW: A monthly open mic night – go along and tell a story in whatever medium you work best with.

BOARDGAME CAFES

Chance & Counters – 20 Christmas Steps, BS1 5BS: Bristol’s purpose-built board gaming space will offer you the perfect opportunity to fall out with all your worst sore-losing friends.

Chance and Counters can be found on Bristol’s gorgeous Christmas Steps. Credit: Felix Workman.

Replay Bristol Board Game Bar – 196 Cheltenham Road, Cotham, BS6 5RB: Who could possibly turn down a night of games when such fantastic snacks are on offer? Go along and see what’s on the menu for yourself.

Playground Coffee House – 45 St Nicholas Street, BS1 1TP: Describing themselves as a coffee shop by day, tiki bar by night and with over 150 games on offer, what more can a coffee shop possibly offer?

YOGA AND STUDIO FITNESS

Bendy Kate – Unit 1, Durnford Street The Old Dairy, Ashton Gate, BS3 2AW: This new studio on the block offers everything from aerial to pole to gymnastics.

Bendy Kate’s new studio offers a whole host of fitness activities. Credit: Courtesy of Bendy Studios.

Elevate – Unit 11, Cargo, 2 Museum Street, BS1 6ZA: Arty and independent, Elevate offers both group and one-on-one sessions for yogis of all abilities.

Yogasara – 10-12 Picton Street, Montpelier, BS6 5QA: In close proximity to lots of student areas, Yogasara offer great classes close to home.

BOWLING ALLEYS

The Lanes – 22 Nelson Street, BS1 2LE: Bowling by day, clubbing by night, The Lanes is the coolest and most
alternative bowling alley in Bristol.

Tenpin Bristol – AvonMeads Shopping Park, BS2 0SP: Tenpin doesn’t just offer bowling, but also table tennis and pool if you fancy making an entire tournament out of your evening.

Lane7 – Millennium Promenade, BS1 5SZ: It’s a bar, it’s a restaurant and it offers karaoke. Lane7 will be either your dream come true or worst nightmare, but either way, you’ll definitely have fun.

Have a go at some bowling with a twist at Lane7. Credit: Courtesy of Lane7.

EVENING CLASSES

Bristol Folk House – 40a Park Street, BS1 5JG: This adult education centre offers both day and night time classes, making it more than easy to fit in something arty around your uni day.

RWA Drawing School – Queens Road, Clifton, BS8 1PX: From impressionism to dog drawing,
RWA offers art classes for all abilities and quite literally all interests.

Art-K – 172a Raleigh Road, BS3 2AR: Art-K offers classes both in the studio and on Zoom, so you can join a class without even having to leave your room.

Main photo: The Lanes

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