Gay Bristol

Bristol enjoys a vibrant and friendly gay and LGBT scene, with a great selection of cafes, bars and clubs to choose from. There are about 40,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people who live and work in Bristol, making it one of the largest urban 'LGBT' populations in the UK.

In August, Pride Bristol brings Pride Week to the city; Bristol's largest LGBT pride event ever! Click here to book a Pride Bristol hotel. If you can't make it to Pride Week in August, scroll below for a list of other activity surrounding the Gay Bristol scene and also make sure to visit the Pride Bristol website for ongoing activities throughout the year. www.PrideBristol.com

PRIDE BRISTOL PRESENTS: PRIDE WEEK

Browse the Pride Week brochure online

Pride Bristol is set to be the biggest Pride event in the South West.  Sweeping across the city’s top venues between the 14^th & 22^nd August, Pride Bristol is a celebration of the LGBT community, although the high profile series of events are very much open to everybody.  Whether you are interested in sport, film, music or theatre, you’ll find something you like. Take a look at the programme below:

SATURDAY 14 AUGUST

• SPORTS DAY ON THE DOWNS (Parry’s Lane end), 10am-2pm: A range of events to cater for everyone, from the uncoordinated novice to the semi-pro.
  
• FILM: CHILDREN OF GOD, THE WATERSHED, 8.20pm: Tipped as one of the most exciting new talents in world cinema, Kareem Mortimer directs a beautifully filmed analysis of sexuality in the Bahamas. 
  Click here to purchase tickets >>

SATURDAY 14 & SUNDAY 15 AUGUST

• THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE: “L”, CIRCOMEDIA, 7.30pm: A visual theatrical feast exploring the lives of several women as they struggle with their sexuality, gender & identity. Directed by the Old Vic’s Charlie George, the performance combines music, dance & circus skills. 
  Click here to purchase tickets >> 

MONDAY 16 AUGUST

• FILM & PERFORMANCE: SING OUT PRISCILLA, THE HIPPODROME, 7.30pm: This rare screening of The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is made even more fabulous with the addition of one of the best LGBT choirs, Sing Out Bristol.  
  Click here to purchase tickets >>

TUESDAY 17 AUGUST

• LIVE MUSIC: NEVER THE BRIDE, THE FLEECE, 7.30pm: One of the best rock bands around today. Vocalist Nikki Lamborn is known for her immense voice & incredible stage presence. Support comes from Bristol’s rising soul songstress Katey Brooks. 
  Click here to purchase tickets >>
  
• HISTORY: OUR STORIES – SHARING MEMORIES, BRISTOL CENTRAL LIBRARY, 4.30  - 6.30pm: Come along & share your memories of LGBT life in Bristol. Please bring any objects that evoke or illustrate how things were. Free entry, free refreshments.
  
• PRIDE PUB QUIZ: The Old Market Tavern welcomes everyone to the Pride Pub Quiz.

WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST

• LITERARY EVENT: STELLA DUFFY, PAUL BURSTON & RHONA CAMERON, THE ARNOLFINI, 7pm: Internationally acclaimed authors Stella Duffy, Paul Burston & Rhona Cameron join local talent Jack Wolf to read from their works, take questions from the audience & engage in a panel discussion. 
  Click here to purchase tickets >>
  
• FILM: RELEASE PREMIER, THE WATERSHED, 8pm: From the Directors of Shank comes Release. Filmed in Bristol, this prison-based love story explores the hypocrisy that runs through society. Screening features a Cast & Crew Q&A with Darren Flaxstone, Christian Martin & the team. 
  Click here to purchase tickets >>
  
  AFTER PARTY: Wed ticket holders are invited to an exclusive event on boat-turned-café-bar Under the Stars.

THURSDAY 19 AUGUST

• COMEDY: RHONA CAMERON, METROPOLIS, 7.30pm: Internationally acclaimed comedian Rhona Cameron comes to Bristol for a one-off performance during Pride Week. With support from Bethany Black expect an unmissable evening. 
  Click here to purchase tickets >> 
  
• THEATRE: MOVE OVER DARLING - by Tom Marshman, ARNOLFINI, 7.30pm: Innovative one-man-show based on Marshman’s interviews with people during LGBT History Month. Part of a series of Arnolfini Associate Artist monthly events. 
  Click here to purchase tickets >>

FRIDAY 20 AUGUST

• FILM: DIAGNOSING DIFFERENCE, WATERSHED, 6.40pm 
  PANEL DISCUSSION: GENDER TROUBLE, WATERSHED, 8.30pm
• Debunking the myths & misconceptions about transgender identities, Friday explores the “T” in LGBT. The groundbreaking film is the first to explore Gender Identity Disorder Diagnosis (GID) & the art & media display features trans voices from around the globe. Ticket holders are given priority entry to the Official Pre-Pride Party in the Watershed Café Bar. 
  Click here to purchase tickets >> 
  
• FILM: SHORTBUS, WATERSHED, 8.30pm Multi award-winning Shortbus follows the lives of a group of modern New Yorkers as they find their ways through the universal complications of love & sex. 
  Click here to purchase tickets >> 
  
• OFFICIAL PRE-PRIDE PARTY, WATERSHED CAFÉ/BAR, 10pm – 1am: Dance the night away with Pride at the Watershed for an evening of DJs, dress-up, live music, colour & interactive art. The event is free but priority entry is given to Gender Trouble & Shortbus ticket-holders. 

SATURDAY 21 AUGUST

• PRIDE DAY: PARADE STARTS 12pm @ The Hippodrome; CASTLE PARK opens @ 12pm: Pride Week culminates in a huge multi-stage festival at Castle Park featuring international music acts, theatre, DJs, food, drink and live art. This is the biggest Pride event in Bristol to date & the largest in the South West. The parade kicks off from opposite Bristol Hippodrome, at midday & weaves through the centre, to Castle Park.  We invite everyone to be a part of this massive event so dress up & come along!
  Pride Walk Details and Castle Park Details
  FULL DETAILS & HEADLINER TO BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY

SUNDAY 22 AUGUST

• BREAKFAST: THE BIG PRIDE BREAKFAST, Start The Bus, from 11 am: Join us for a delicious big Pride breakfast the morning after Pride night at trendy café/bar/music venue, Start the Bus. The event also features the LLGFF’s short film collections.

GENERAL INFO ABOUT GAY BRISTOL

Frogmore Street

Frogmore Street, located just off Park Street, is buzzing with activity most nights of the week. Lively bars and pumping nightclubs entice a mixed crowd of revellers looking for a great night out. 

Head to the Queen Shilling, Bristol's longest established gay venue, for a great atmosphere on the weekend. The Pineapple, a lively pre-club gay bar, hosts plenty of great nights and events, including an annual street party every August.

A popular venue nearby is The Griffin - a small, traditional gay pub which entices a large, mixed crowd at the weekend. And just across the road you'll find the Clone Zone shop, selling a large assortment of cards, magazines and clothing.

Old Market

Old Market is Bristol's own 'gay village', where you'll find the Old Market Tavern and the Stag & Hounds, which both attract a mixed and friendly crowd. New pubs and bars in the Old Market area include The Lounge, The Punch Bowl, The Palace, Bristol Bear Bar, The Retreat and Old Castle Green. Real revellers should head to Flamingos or Castros, which each host gay-friendly club nights throughout the week.

Events

The London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival (touring) - Annual gay and lesbian film festival showcasing the best in new gay cinema.
Location: Watershed Media Centre