Bristol boasts a vibrant and friendly LGBTQ+ scene, with a fantastic variety of bars and nightlife in districts such as Old Market Quarter and the West End. These areas of the city are where everyone is welcome and everyone is encouraged to be their true selves – and that’s thanks to the fantastic bars and clubs, operated by those who love and actively build up the community not just during Pride Month and Bristol Pride, but all the time. Whether you’re looking for the best Pride festivities or want to hit the town any other night of the year, these LGBTQ+-friendly bars and pubs in Bristol are always packed with fun and great times.
1. Queenshilling
The Queenshilling is one of Bristol’s award-winning LGBTQ+ venues and is a proud sponsor of OutUWE Network and Bristol University LGBT Society. The bar describes itself as having “a reputation for welcoming everyone and being Bristol’s friendliest nightclub“, plus it’s just a short walk away from the likes of Park Street, The Hippodrome and Bristol Beacon. The Queenshilling isn’t hard to spot as you’ll find the Art Deco building colour washed in vibrant LED lighting, and once inside you’ll be welcomed by a stylish disco bar area.
Queenshilling, 9 Frogmore Street, BS1 5NA
2. OMG Bar
It seems Frogmore Street is where it’s at as another West End LGBTQ+ bar to visit is OMG Bar. From Cabaret Sunday to £1.50 drinks on student night, OMG Bar knows how to have a good night out. Open seven days a week from 8 pm, you’ll find thousands of song sections on their jukebox so you can pick your favourite banger to listen to. This West End bar, with brightly coloured street art outside, is a great place to start your night before heading down the road to OMG Club where the fun continues.
OMG Bar, 4 Frogmore Street, BS1 5HX
3. The Old Market Tavern
The Old Market Tavern may look like your regular, old-fashioned boozer. However, it’s got new-fashioned attitudes with a brilliant LGBTQ+ community. With plenty of seating, sofas and a sunny sheltered garden, this Bristol pub on Old Market Street is the perfect place for a relaxing drink with friends, good food and good company any day of the week. Not only does The Old Market Tavern serve hearty pub classics like steak and ale pie, sausages and mash plus a range of burgers, it also hosts a number of gaming nights due to its vast board game selection.
The Old Market Tavern, 29-30 Old Market Street, BS2 OHB
4. The Phoenix
Since 1850, The Phoenix has been prominent in the Bristol pub scene and is still strong today as a friendly establishment that does not discriminate. Being the only pub right next to Bristol’s Cabot Circus, it makes for a good spot for those after good home-cooked food and a good selection of quality, locally produced ales (their breweries are all Bristol born and bred…or from around the vicinity). As well as screening matches and boasting a beer garden, the pub welcomes all with open arms (or their case open wings) including families with children and pets too. Look out for the monthly LGBTQ+ night DTYM.
The Phoenix, 1 Wellington Buildings, Champion Square, BS2 9DB
5. The Old Market Assembly
Technically also a restaurant since it serves top-class pizza, The Old Market Assembly is another LGBTQ+-friendly establishment in Bristol worth visiting. Located on West Street, the bar and restaurant also host a number of events including comedy shows, cabaret, as well as being a venue during Bristol Pride. (Our favourite event has to be the Northern Soul nights though.)
The Old Market Assembly also serves up a good Sunday roast that you can wash down with Bloody Marys and Mimosas, and is home to The Wardrobe Theatre, a fringe studio venue and thriving arts hub.
The Old Market Assembly, 25 West Street, BS2 0DF
6. Bristol Bear Bar
Bristol Bear Bar is the UK’s only “bespoke bear bar“, but the venue is welcoming to all bears and non-bears alike. A cosy and friendly corner bar off Old Market, you’ll find a range of the city’s best LBGTQ+ events here running late on weekends. Expect everything from drag shows and pride marches to quizzes and fetish club nights. Bristol Bear Bar looks to foster an active and lively community that holds its arms open to all.
BBB, 2 West St, Bristol BS2 0BH