Cocktail bar£Old CitySun-Thu 12:00-00:00; Fri-Sat 12:00-01:00Until 01:00 Fri-Sat
The Old Duke runs free live jazz and blues every night of the week on King Street, a Bristol institution in a cobbled-street pub dating from around 1775.
Try: A last ale as the jazz winds down
Tip: Music is free every night; get in before 21:00 on weekends or listen from the cobbles with the overspill crowd.
British gastropub££Old CityMon 17:00-00:00; Tue-Thu 12:00-00:00; Fri-Sat 12:00-01:00; Sun 12:00-23:00Until 01:00 Fri-Sat
The Christmas Steps pours local craft beer in a c1600 building on Bristol's medieval stairway street, with a free jukebox and a serious kitchen.
Try: Craft pints on the medieval steps
Tip: The pub anchors the bottom of the historic steps; Ahh Toots' cake counter sits across the lane for afters.
British gastropub££Old CitySun-Tue 12:00-00:00; Wed-Sat 12:00-01:00; roasts Sun 12:00-17:00Until 01:00 Wed-Sat
The Famous Royal Navy Volunteer runs 36 all-UK beer and cider lines inside a 1673 King Street building, Bristol's Grade II listed craft beer flagship.
Try: A final rotating keg on King Street
Tip: Locals call it The Volley; once a rotating keg goes it is gone, so order the interesting line first.
British gastropub££Old CitySun-Wed 12:00-00:00; Thu-Sat 12:00-01:00; food 12:00-16:00Until 01:00 Thu-Sat
The Bank Tavern hides down a John Street alley in Bristol with an award-named Sunday lunch so popular its roast bookings sell out a year ahead.
Try: A closing pint down the alley
Tip: Sunday sittings for 2026 sold out again; weekday lunches need no booking and carry the same kitchen's cooking.
Greek£Clifton TriangleMon-Fri 11:00-04:00; Sat 12:00-05:00; Sun 12:00-01:00Until 04:00 weeknights, 05:00 Saturday
Taka Taka grills gyros and souvlaki on the Clifton Triangle until 04:00 or later, the Greek kebab counter that closes out student Bristol's nights.
Try: Gyros and souvlaki
Tip: It is the honourable end to a Park Street night; the halloumi gyros converts even committed doner loyalists.
Fried chicken£Gloucester RoadSun-Thu 11:00-02:00; Fri-Sat 11:00-03:00Until 03:00 Fri-Sat on Gloucester Road
Miss Millie's is Bristol's own fried chicken chain, serving since 1998, and its Gloucester Road shop keeps frying to 03:00 weekends for the night-bus crowd.
Try: Fried chicken and spiced fries
Tip: Ask for the signature spice mix on the fries; seven other Bristol branches cover most late routes home.