LAKOTA’S FRESHERS GUIDE TO BRISTOL

Welcome freshers, to one of the most vibrant cities in the UK, Bristol! Whether you chose Bristol because your mates are here, your love for dance music, or simply because you wanted a city with a unique vibe, we’ve got you covered. Here’s our guide on what to do and where to go, to make the most of your time with us.

MUSIC

Bristol is renowned for having some of the best raves in the country – after all, they don’t call it the drum and bass capital for nothing. But if drum and bass isn’t your vibe, don’t worry. Bristol offers a diverse range of music events to suit all tastes and every type of party-goer.

KEY VENUES TO CHECK OUT

• Lakota: Our home of course – legendary for raves and diverse line-ups.

For more intimate events, explore:

• Crofters Rights: A staple for craft beer lovers with live DJs and bands.
• The Fleece: Known for its live music and alternative nights.
• Exchange: A venue that combines live bands, club nights and a café/bar.
• Strange Brew: A unique, community-oriented space with a diverse event calendar.
• Mr Wolfs: Live music and DJ sets in a more relaxed, artistic setting.

Most venues serve both alcohol and alcohol-free alternatives and typically stay open until at least 3AM! 

DRINKS

Whether you’re living on campus or in the city centre, Bristol isn’t short on places to grab a drink, there’s something for everyone. Here are some of our favourites:

• The Old Duke (King Street): Known for its live jazz and blues music, good beer and a massive seating area for all your mates.
• The Anchor (Gloucester Road): Perfect for student deals – catch £2.50 pints and £4.50 double vodka Red Bulls on Thursdays!
• Cider Press (Gloucester Road): Specialising in, you guessed it, cider! Thursdays bring 2-for-1 on all cocktails.
• The Bell (Stokes Croft): A small, intimate, proper pub with an authentic Bristol vibe.
• Full Moon & Attic Bar (Stokes Croft): A great selection of local beers, a huge outdoor seating area and its own event space next door called Attic Bar.

All listed pubs are no more than a 15–20 minute walk from Lakota and the city centre.

FOOD

Hungry after a night out? Whether you crave kebabs, pizza, or vegetarian/vegan options, Bristol’s got you covered. Gloucester Road, the city centre, and Clifton are packed with family-owned eateries and independent restaurants to suit everyone’s taste buds. 

Some of our top picks include:

• L J Hugs (Broadmead + Lakota): Serving wraps and bowls with chicken, beef and veggie options from both Broadmead and a container in Lakota’s garden  – perfect for a quick and delicious bite.
• Biblos (Stokes Croft): You’ll often find us munching on Biblos wraps in the Lakota office. Hands down, the best wraps in Bristol!
• Squeezed Burgers (Harbourside): Head here for the juiciest, most satisfying burger you’ll ever have.
• Gurt Wings (various locations around Bristol): If wings are your thing, you’ve got to try Gurt Wings. They’ve got everything from spicy to sweet.
• Eat a Pitta (various locations around Bristol): For a healthier option, check out Eat a Pitta, where you can customise your meal exactly how you like it.

GETTING AROUND

Bristol is well-connected and easy to navigate:

• Buses: The city has an extensive bus network, with student-friendly fares. Download the First Bus app for tickets and timetables.
• Cycling: Bristol is bike-friendly with dedicated lanes and cycle paths. 
• Walking: The city centre and key areas like Clifton and Stokes Croft are easily walkable.

TIPS FOR FRESHERS

• Explore beyond the centre: Areas like Clifton, Southville, and Bedminster offer great independent shops, bars and cafes.
• Join societies and clubs: From dance to debate, there’s a society for everything. It’s a great way to make friends and explore new interests.
• Stay Safe: Bristol is generally safe, but like any city, it’s good to be mindful. 
• We have testing kits behind the bar, we’re the the UK’s first harm reduction city and we’re all signed up to the Women’s Safety Charter.
• Ask for help if you need it, and if you see something that doesn’t feel right, call it out.
• We are part of Bristol Nights: A city wide nightlife community.
• Bristol nightlife works together to make the night safer, so you can have a night to remember – for all the right reasons.
• Check out Bristol Nights on how to enjoy Bristol whilst staying safe at night.

Bristol is your playground – make the most of it! 

COMING UP AT LAKOTA

We kick things off with our freshers drum & bass free rave headlined with Georgie Riot. Free entry tickets are valid before 11PM and to combat the cost of living, we will be offering drink deals at the bar. 

Plus our infamous midweek series of shows ‘Shutdown,’ is back and better than ever before. 

Over the next month we have a wide range of shows across both weeknights and weekends: 

• Tuesday [10.09.24] – DJ Hybrid
• Thursday [12.09.24] – Grandmaster Flash Live A/V
• Friday [13.09.24] – Sam Binga B2B Addison Groove + My Nu Leng
• Saturday [14.09.24] – Freshers D&B Free Rave: Georgie Riot
• Tuesday [17.09.24] – Jappa B2B Jenks
• Thursday [ 19.09.24] – Lost Track of Time Presents: The Enchanted Forest
• Friday [20.09.24] – Upgrade, Circadian, Critical Impact
• Saturday [21.09.24] – Lakota Presents: DJ Love
• Tuesday [24.09.24] – Crofters Rights special w/ Auramatic
• Friday [27.09.24] – Prozak w/ Capo Lee
• Tuesday [01.10.24] – Nu Elementz

Check out our full autumn/winter series of events here

Many come to Bristol and fall in love with the city. Who knows, you might just find what you’ve been looking for here in our beloved city too. We hope that we can be part of that journey.