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Written by Luke Bull - 09 October 2023


Bristol's 5 favourite gay bars


Bristol has a proud history of being a city that allows queer culture to thrive: the first gay bar opened in 1970; the first Bristol Pride parade occurred in the summer of 1977; there was even a gay switchboard operating in the city, providing a much-needed port of call for those often ostracized.


The city is now a truly safe area for those in the LGBTQ community. That said, sometimes a space is needed that can be identifiable queer. Bristol is not lacking in these. We've noted a few below that you can be sure will offer a true Bristolian welcome to whoever walks in the door.


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OMG bristol gay bar
OMG bristol gay bar

1. OMG: the South West’s busiest and biggest gay bar.

Bristol

Renowned for their crazy and cheap nights out, there's little wonder why OMG is the South West’s busiest and biggest gay bar. The bar not only gives you the chance to thrive in a buzzing and LGBTQ+ inclusive environment, but also makes you feel safe from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave.



With state-of-the-art sound and light systems, a lively atmosphere, and a great selection of competitively priced (and tasty) drinks available, OMG is an incredible gay bar in Bristol.



Make sure to join OMG on their student nights for £1 drinks, every Wednesday night.



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Queenshilling bristol gay bar
Queenshilling bristol gay bar

2. Loved and respected by the LGBTQ+ community, the Queenshilling has a reputation for being Bristol’s friendliest nightclub and bar.

Bristol

The Queenshilling is a nightclub and bar which has been at the forefront of supporting the LGBTQ+ community for over 25 years, providing a safe space for people from all walks of life regardless of age, sex or gender.



Located in the heart of Bristol, just a short walk from the O2 Academy, the Queenshilling is the first-choice queer-friendly bar for many when visiting the city centre.



The Queenshilling is the perfect venue for dance, pop, and house nights, plus themed parties and karaoke. The bar offers a wide range of premium drinks, including classic cocktails, in their newly refurbished bar area.



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3. Bristol Bear Bar is the UK’s only bespoke bear bar.

Bristol

A relaxed corner bar, the Bristol Bear Bar (BBB) is the UK’s first and only purpose-built bear bar. The Bristol Bear Bar welcomes all, bear and non-bear, to an attitude-free and friendly venue. Open Wednesday through to Sunday, you will find the bar at the heart of Old Market.



National and international visitors much love the bar and, consequently, it has been awarded Best Bar in many local Shoutout LGBT awards. With a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, the Bristol Bear Bar is a great gay and queer-friendly space in Bristol.



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The phoneix bristol gay bar

4. The Phoenix: home to Bristol’s pioneering queer and LGBTQ+ club night: DTYM.

Bristol

Since the 1800s, The Phoenix has been a popular pub in Bristol and is still flourishing today as a friendly venue that does not discriminate: The Phoenix is a family and pet-friendly establishment that promotes a diverse mix of clientele.



Located right next to Bristol’s Cabot Circus, The Phoenix makes a great spot for those after tasty home-cooked food – including gourmet burgers - and a great selection of quality, locally produced ales, many of which come from the Bristol vicinity.



Home of Bristol’s pioneering queer and LGBTQ+ club night, DTYM, The Phoenix welcomes all with open arms.



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Old market tavern bristol gay bar

5. The Old Market Tavern is a traditional pub in the centre of Bristol, offering a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Bristol

The Old Market Tavern is a cosy, gay-friendly pub in an 18th century building with a plenty of seating, a spacious decked garden, good food, and plenty of drinks. Located in Old Market, which is recognised as Bristol’s gay village thanks to a string of queer and LGBTQ+ friendly bars opening in the area, The Old Market Tavern is a great place to meet your friends for a chilled drink or begin your night out.



While The Old Tavern may look like a traditional, old-fashioned pub, their modern attitudes have created a safe, comfortable space for everybody, including the LGBTQ+ community.



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More of the best gay bars in Bristol

Thinking of hiring a bar for your next event? Great idea. Bristol is known for its amazing LGBTQ+ bars. From busy gay bars and lesbian cocktail bars with world-class mixologists to quiet and cosy garden bars, we've got every type of bar in Bristol for you to browse and book. Why not have a birthday bash at your own exclusive bar or hire an inclusive bar for a Pride event? Have a look at these top Bristol bar venues and get some ideas for where to have your next event. Alternatively, tell us exactly what you need and we'll make sure the very best Bristol venues respond to your enquiry.

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How to hire a gay bar in Bristol

We know that finding a venue the old-fashioned way (where you trawl the internet, contact 10 venues or set your heart on one, only to find that they're out of your price range and not even available on your dates) is a pain, and there are a few pitfalls between you and booking your perfect gay bar. Getting the venue-finding process down to a professional art is what we’ve made our mission ever since we took on the events industry. We often get asked the same questions, so here's what we recommend to quickly and easily hire a space in Bristol.

Frequently asked questions

For gay bars in Bristol, you're spoilt for choice. Here are a few extra special ones that we vouch for:

Queenshilling – A fun and inclusive space and a pretty venue for a great night out.

OMG – For a cheap (and fun) night out, hit up OMG's Bristol branch.

There really is no one answer to this question: so many variables come into play when understanding the cost of exclusive hire of a gay bar or a private space in a gay bar. How many guests are you planning for? Is the venue for the day, an afternoon, or the night? The good news is that you can find a venue for pretty much any budget (okay, almost any budget). Instead of letting the venue dictate the price, our advice is to be proactive and set a budget that you feel comfortable with – this way the right venues can reach out to you through HeadBox.

There are lots of ways to book a Bristol gay bar. You can do the old-fashioned thing and pick up the phone, or email the venue directly. Unfortunately, lots of venues are busy and may not get back to you in time. That's where we come in. Give us your enquiry and we'll reach out to the best gay bars in Bristol and let you enjoy your free time. Easy.

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