5 minute read
A Pauline About Town
BRISTOL
Simon Bishop (1962-65) shares where to eat, drink, visit and view in his hometown
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Bristol remains one of the most popular destinations for St Paul’s leavers, and for some the city’s attractions are enough for them to choose it as a permanent home. With London only an hour or so away by rail, and bordering Somerset to the south, the Bristol Channel and South Wales to the west, Gloucestershire to the north and Bath and Wiltshire to the east, Bristol combines a metropolitan life with access to unspoilt countryside nearby in which to explore and regenerate.
WHERE TO EAT WHERE TO DRINK
The Lido Restaurant
Set in a viewing gallery overlooking the 24-metre blue-tiled pool at Bristol’s regenerated Victorian lido in Clifton, this comfortable and magical space is one of the most exciting eateries in town – with the bonus of a spa, poolside bar and other treats on hand. The food ranges in influence from Spain to the Middle East. Why not book a swim and massage before supper?
Souk Kitchen
For the best Moroccan/Arabic inspired mezze-type dishes, try this unpretentious café/restaurant in buzzing North Street, Southville, across the road from the Tobacco Factory Theatre in the midst of some of Bristol’s best UpFest wall graffiti.
Chai Shai
I was pleased to see that Time Out Bristol had featured this intimate Indian restaurant at the bottom of Jacob Wells Road. A menu of no more than twenty options always guarantees you delicious freshly cooked food in this easily overlooked place.
Souk Kitchen 360 Degree Café
360 Degree Café and Rooftop Terrace – Clifton Observatory
Best view in town at this sensationally renovated snuff mill situated just above the Clifton Suspension Bridge. Focaccia toasties and the best hot chocolate in town await you.
Quick bites:
Farrows on the Wells Road is an exceptional award-winning chippy; The Brunel Buttery on Museum Street, Bristol docks is the place to go for doorstep sarnies and a cuppa while you enjoy the view across the water to the city centre; Nadine’s Caribbean Café has been gaining a good reputation on Stapleton Road, Easton. You cannot beat an ale by the water’s edge. Three pubs spring to mind, all offering hearty and delicious food: The Nova Scotia, originally a nineteenth century coaching inn, has fortunately avoided being themed or updated in any way since and enjoys a very down-to-earth atmosphere. The clientele is often bolstered by 21st century sea dogs; The Cottage Inn, set attractively just above the water’s edge and boasting the best evening light as the sun goes down, offers fresh fish dishes as their speciality with meat and veggie options; The Ostrich, an original dockside inn has a large riverside beer garden and cosy interiors over two floors. Outside, the Portside BBQ serves up Americana-inspired street food with a mix of suntrap seating areas, shady spots, and covered and heated all-weather teepees.
Ashton Court
WHERE TO VISIT WHERE TO VIEW
Easy ticks:
The SS Great Britain in the docks, and Ashton Court, the 850-acre publicly owned park and mansion to the north west of the city are both too good to miss.
St Nick’s Market
The largest collection of independent retailers under one roof in Bristol. While most of the surrounding area was totally destroyed during the Second World War, the 18th-century Exchange building at the heart of St Nick’s Market was spared. While the Exchange itself is packed with independent traders selling all sorts of wares with a huge variety of food outlets. Why not pop in to Wanted Records run by John Stapleton (1973-77) for anything vinyl?
Music and Party venues
Bristol is a city that likes to party hard when allowed! Try these venues: Thekla the ultimate party boat has been an integral part of Bristol’s nightlife since 1984; Motion is an award-winning party destination. Spaced out across a number of warehouses, the mega venue features state-of-the-art technology and has seen the likes of Just Jack and Fatboy Slim grace its decks; Cosies is a popular club among students. This raucous underground playground spins the best in reggae and dub, as well as hosting a regular roster of DJs. Bristol is blessed with several excellent theatres. Jewel in the crown is the Bristol Old Vic on King Street. Built in 1766, the Old Vic is the oldest continuously working theatre in the English-speaking world. The Tobacco Factory Theatre (now with its new studio theatre The Spielman) has built a loyal following for its Shakespeare seasons and independent touring company productions, while the Bristol Hippodrome hosts big West End musicals and opera. Over recent years the 100-seat Wardrobe Theatre has become very popular for its curated mix of theatre, comedy, live music, poetry/spoken word, cabaret, drag, improvisation, new writing and family shows, with an emphasis on emerging artists and Bristol-based work. There is also an excellent bar and restaurant to enjoy as part of the Old Market Assembly of which the Wardrobe is part.
The Seven Stars – follow in the illustrious steps of anti-slavery campaigner Thomas Clarkson (177580) who went undercover in this old 16th century dockside pub when researching facts about the realities of the trade directly from the sailors who visited here after their voyages back from the West Indies. To ‘square the circle’, go on to the M-Shed where you can now see the toppled statue of the slave trader Edward Colston, still covered with graffiti, freshly hoisted from the bottom of Bristol docks.
The Seven Stars
