LGBT Bristol

The Queenshilling

Known as the Shilling by its more loyal clientele is one of the few decent LGBT venues in Bristol. Open late on most nights near the end of the week, it’s a great place to head later on to drink the night away. The Shilling brings together Bristol’s surreal gay community, sparking up late at night, with shag-tag and themed events playing a central role in some of naughtiness that this place has to offer.

This club will always make you smile, with all sorts of people venturing in. Whether you’re out and proud, young and curious, middle aged and coupled or even straight as a ruler, the Shilling accommodates you all. But be warned, despite being in the centre of the city, just off Park Street, it is one of the more smaller centre venues and does get rammed on busy nights - but the sexy bar staff do make up for that! Try out this one, its one of the very few places where no one will judge and the idiots usually stay away. It’s nearly always a good night and Thursdays have traditionally been free for NUS.

dom passfield

Flamingos

23-25, West St, Old Market, BS2 0DF

Sadly named ‘Flamingos’ this club flies higher than its name. Newly refurbished and slowly earning a good reputation on the scene, Flamingos is Bristol’s and the South West’s biggest, gayest venue. With a capacity of 900 and the concept of being ‘A New Dimension in Clubbing’ it’s an experience that is defiantly worth a look. However be warned, with a club this big, all sorts of predators venture in. So for a newcomer to the scene or if you don’t like that sort of thing, it may be a bit to much at the weekends. Getting better late at night, this club is divided into different areas, with unique styles in each section. The four main bars, VIP lounge, pool room and chill out area allow for a night that suits all moods. Do not be put off by rubbish looking entrance of this place, check out the website and take a trip down.

Pineapple

37, St. Georges Rd, BS1 5UU

The Pineapple is a small but swanky bar with an ok atmosphere and an out and proud feeling. Quite strict on the gay front and mainly a male crowd, it is no surprise it is located just down the road from two of Bristol’s gay night clubs, (the Queenshilling and Vibes). During the week you will always be able to catch a quiz night, karaoke or the deal-or-no deal game and on Sundays the famous, but mainly cheesy/rubbish cabaret acts embrace the stage. It gets packed at the weekends, now open till 1.00am and is a good place to start a good night with ok deals on drinks. The Pineapple is the sort of place you go for a quick drink or head down there for a night of games with your mates. Or if you want to, get dressed up and drink as much as you can, before heading on to dance the night away. Take a look and judge this one for yourself.

Vibes

Frogmore Street, BS1 5UX

If you are looking for an evening of clubbing to recent anthems or more in to the old skool tunes, Vibes is the gay venue to get your fix. Vibes attracts a young up for it crowd. The venue has two bars and two dance floors, the busier nights being Fri & Sat. If you want a bargain check out the Pineapple first, you can usually get a flyer for cheaper entry or drinks promos. Located on Frog Lane, its central location underneath Park Street makes it easy to find your way back for a take-away or the taxi rank.

Neil Ramdhun