The Louisiana ★ 4.2
£HarboursideGigs most nights from about 19:30
The Louisiana books tomorrow's bands into a harbourside corner pub, the small Bristol room that hosted Amy Winehouse and Muse on their way up the bill.
Tip: Gigs are upstairs and tiny; downstairs pints before doors are part of the ritual.
Exchange ★ 4.1
£Old MarketGigs most nights; cafe by day
Exchange is Bristol's community-owned, not-for-profit music venue on Old Market Street, keeping punk, DIY and brand-new bands on its stage almost nightly.
Tip: Buy through Headfirst and keep the booking fee in the city; the daytime cafe funds the stage.
The Canteen ★ 4.0
£Stokes CroftMon 11:45-23:00; Tue-Sat 11:45-00:00; Sun 11:00-00:00
The Canteen stages free live bands most nights under Hamilton House's murals, the Stokes Croft room where Bristol's music scenes casually cross-pollinate.
Tip: Arrive for dinner and keep the table when the band starts; Friday and Saturday carry a small late door charge.
Bambalan ★ 4.0
££Old CityMon-Thu 12:00-23:00; Fri 12:00-00:00; Sat 10:00-00:00; Sun 10:00-20:00
Bambalan spreads Bristol's biggest sun terrace across the Beacon Tower podium, tacos and frozen cocktails soundtracked by summer day parties.
Tip: The terrace fills by early evening on any sunny Friday; book a booth for the Summer Sessions parties.
Seven Lucky Gods ★ 4.1
££Wapping WharfMon-Sat 12:00-22:00; Sun 12:00-21:00
Seven Lucky Gods holds Cargo 2's top deck at Wapping Wharf, where highballs and sake face the harbour cranes from the best of Bristol's container rooftops.
Tip: Sunset on the upper walkway with a yuzu highball is the cheapest great view in the city.
The Milk Thistle ★ 4.5
£££Old CityTue-Thu 18:00-01:00; Fri-Sat 17:00-02:00; closed Sun-Mon
The Milk Thistle hides four floors of carved-wood cocktail rooms behind an unmarked door on Colston Avenue, the grand flagship speakeasy of central Bristol.
Tip: Ask about the whisky vault below street level; walk-ins stand a chance early on weeknights.