The Milk Thistle is a cocktail bar late-night spot in Old City, Bristol.
Editorially verified August 27, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Tip: Ring the doorbell and book ahead for weekends; the vault below street level takes small groups for whisky tastings.
Address: Quay Head House, Colston Avenue, Bristol BS1 1EB
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Gallimaufry mixes bar, kitchen pop-ups and nightly free music on Gloucester Road, the all-purpose local of Bristol's longest independent street.
Try: Late plates from the pop-up kitchen
Tip: A rotating pop-up runs the kitchen, so check who is cooking this season before you set your heart on a dish.
The Canteen serves cheap seasonal vegetarian plates under Hamilton House's murals in Stokes Croft, Bristol, with free live music most evenings.
Try: Vegetarian plates until the band finishes
Tip: It closed in 2024 and reopened in autumn 2025; Friday and Saturday carry a £6 door charge after 21:30 for the music.
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.
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.
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.
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.
