Top 10 places to visit this Pride Month in Bristol

The Old Market Assembly is the perfect choice whether you want to celebrate Pride during the main weekend or a few days before. Located in the Gay Village area, the venue is a welcoming space that hosts quarterly LGBTQ+ parties and theatre nights where you can meet people who are a part of the community, celebrate diversity and share memories. The venue is like no other, with an interior that has ornate domed ceilings, large windows and a terrace perfect for catching sunsets. During the day, the space is filled with natural light and is an ideal spot to chill and enjoy your lunch, and then it transforms into a dim-lighting bar at night. To celebrate Pride this year, the venue has scheduled an event on 5th July featuring traditional ceilidh tunes with a modern twist. It will be a night to remember with lots of dancing and positive vibes so make sure you wear something comfortable and have fun. It’s a must-visit this Pride Month.

What better way is there to celebrate Pride Month than dancing your heart out with like-minded people? Death Disco ticks all the boxes; it’s a cross between a cocktail bar, a music venue and a nightclub, and according to the venue ‘a rebellion against ordinary’. The cocktails are a nod to the 70s and 80s with signature drinks on the menu such as Mr Motivator (Mount Gay Eclipse rum, passionfruit, vanilla, lime and soda) or Yas Queen (vodka, nectarine guava, lime and hooch lemon), which you can enjoy while listening to the iconic beats from that era playing in the background. There are also alcoholic slushies and shots if you want to start the party straight away! The venue is known for organising themed nights so you can expect it’ll have something in store for Pride Month, too. If for some reason you can’t make it to the festival this year, visiting the venue is one way to recreate the welcoming and upbeat atmosphere. Or you could just pop in before Pride Month starts and get yourself excited for what’s to come.

Described as LGBTQ+-friendly by its customers, Chido Wey is a relatively new Mexican joint that prides itself on introducing authentic flavours to the Bristol dining scene. You can expect a range of classics: quesadillas, nachos and burritos included. The venue state’s that its mission is to help Central Americans who identify as LGBTQ+ or are gender non-conforming, so it’s one of the best places you can celebrate Pride Month.

To celebrate Pride Month with flavour, opt for Giggling Squid for authentic, aromatic Thai dishes. This is one of our favourite restaurants in Bristol, a Thai place that boasts a menu full of bold flavours and plenty of colours. For example, Satay Four Ways is a selection of marinated skewers served with Thai herbs and peppers on the side. The mains range from popular dishes such as green curry with green chillies, garlic and lemongrass to lesser-known options like soft shell Pranee prawns coated in herbs, garlic and chilli. If Pride Month is an opportunity for you to catch up with friends, make it special and invite them for a delicious meal here.

Pride is a great opportunity to catch up with your loved ones. At Bar 44, you can relax in a modern space filled with art and positive vibes. Everyone is welcome to stop by, whether you’re visiting with friends or family. The menu mostly consists of tapas which are ideal for sharing; the signature jamon and queso plate includes an Ibérico pork whipped and rosemary aged, house-made crackers and sherried raisins, quince, guindilla peppers and pepinillos. For those who are vegetarians, we recommend ordering a few small plates such as patatas bravas, torta de barros or artichoke with garlic cream and Galmesan cheese. You can wash it all down with some of the Spanish classics such as Sangria or Vermut wine. The venue is also located just a 20 minute walk from the Down so you can head there straight after dinner. It’s a perfect choice for some quality time, good food and a friendly atmosphere.

Turtle Bay is known for its Caribbean-inspired cocktails whose recipes often change depending on the occasion and some are specifically designed to support certain celebrations. For example, in 2019 Turtle Bay created a cocktail called Wray ‘n Bow and money from its sales was donated to LGBTQ+ charities and projects to show support during Pride Month. Visit the venue in June to see what it has in store for you. Spoiler alert: expect delicious cocktails and high-quality food! If you think you’ll need a stronger refreshment, make sure you stop by. The atmosphere should be upbeat and friendly just like any other time of the year.

The idea behind TGI Fridays is to create a space where people from all backgrounds can come together to socialise and be themselves. Knowing this, it doesn’t come as a surprise that the venue is one of the main supporters of LGBTQ+ rights. Previously the popular restaurant chain has created a fabulous cocktail named Pride Iced Tea as a way to celebrate as well as a gorgeous rainbow cake, while last year it created another cocktail named Pride Summer Cooler, donating £1 from each sale to Mindout organisation that supports mental health in the LGBTQ+ community. Make sure you book your table for Pride Month to find out what’s in store this year.

To celebrate Pride Month in real style, visit Coppa – an airy modern restaurant serving the best of European cuisine. After all, what better way to celebrate than by treating yourself? And what a treat indeed: grilled mains, sourdough pizzas, healthy salads and a whole lot more. If you’re looking for something low key, with good vibes and great food, then Coppa might be your best bet.

Pride Month isn’t just about celebrating the progress that has been made in terms of LGBTQ+ rights, but also about embracing our differences, which is why a good idea is to get out of your comfort zone and try new things. If you fancy going on a little cultural journey on top of joining the events, consider visiting Clifton Thai, located near the Downs where the festival will be taking place. On the menu, you can find authentic Thai dishes which will capture your heart with unique and bold flavours. Our favourites are the cashew nut king prawns or the classic Pad Thai. No celebration is complete without good food!

And last but certainly least on our list is The Love Inn, a cosy bar with an endearing name and retro design, which makes it a great hangout spot for any occasion. To make your Pride Month celebration more memorable, you can expect live music and plenty of delicious cocktails, plus weekly specials such as Palestinian flatbread with various toppings that will be enough to combat your hunger in between events.