8 min readIf you’re one of the graduates-to-be collecting your undergraduate degree, masters or PhD this year, it’s time to mark the end of an era and raise a glass or two with your friends and family. Here are some ideas of ways to celebrate and make it an occasion you never forget.
When is Graduation?
UWE Summer Graduation will run from Monday 15 – Thursday 25 July 2024 and University of Bristol Summer graduation dates are Tuesday 23 July – Thursday 1 August.
If you're looking for a last minute place to buy a suit, Zebel in Cabot Circus offers bespoke suiting, off the shelf and tailoring services.
Where to stay for your graduation in Bristol
After three or more years of hard work, you deserve to make the graduation celebrations last as long as possible. So rather than rushing through a day in the city for your ceremony and then heading home, book an overnight stay.
Brooks Guesthouse is one central spot (it's right next to St Nick's Market), with comfortable and stylish rooms and even the option to bed down in a rooftop caravan if you and your loved ones fancy something quirkier! Graduates can enjoy one of their award-winning breakfasts for free when your family members stay here.
Image - Brooks Guesthouse Bristol
The Clayton Hotel Bristol also has its own special offer for graduates and is a perfect spot if you’re planning on celebrating in the city centre.
Hort's Townhouse is also just up the road, with a newly-renovated bar and restaurant area and space for graduation dinners and boutique rooms for family to stay in. Future Inns have spacious, air-conditioned en-suite bedrooms equipped with all the enhanced modern room amenities, with rooms from £67 per room per night if you book direct.
Image - Hort's Townhouse
If you want to stay somewhere with a distinctive vibe, Artist Residence is a super stylish hotel in St Pauls, which is also well-known in the city for doing great brunches in its bar-café The Boot Factory.
Image - Artist Residence
Enjoy a pre-graduation brunch
If you’ve got an afternoon ceremony, head out for brunch beforehand. Mud Dock is a relaxed and photogenic spot with a harbourside view. The Granary has an extensive brunch menu, and are also offering graduates a free bottle of fizz.
Feeling sophisticated? Aqua Brasserie on Whiteladies Road is a Parisian-inspired café, specialising in brunch dishes such as Eggs Benedict and pancakes. It also has a beautiful front terrace, perfect for celebrating in the sunshine.
Image - Mud Dock Café
Rick’s is set right by the Harbourside has great gluten-free brunch options, plus if you go on a Sunday your brunch will be accompanied by mellow Jazz music.
If you want to get a quick bite to eat before running to your ceremony, you can Spicer and Cole at the RWA sell a great selection of coffees, snacks and pastries.
- Check out our best brunch spots blog for more inspiration.
Image - Rick's Bristol
Pop the prosecco
Say cheers to spending your student years in the world’s best city (in our completely unbiased opinion) with a free glass of prosecco.
Restaurants across the city are ready and waiting with free fizz deals to keep your glass full throughout graduation season and accompany some mouth-watering menus:
- Racks Bar and Kitchen
- No.4 Clifton Village
- The Square Kitchen
- Pizza on the Park
- Pieminister
- Harbour House
- Bambalan
- Four Wise Monkeys
- The Ox
- The Granary
- Seven Lucky Gods
- The Ivy Clifton Brasserie
- Chophouse Restaurant and Bar
Image - Racks Bar and Kitchen
Book a celebratory dinner
After a parading around town with your gown you’re bound to want to a good meal after.
Celebration dinners don't come much more decadent than steak - Chophouse Restaurant, The Cow and Sow on Queen Square or Whiteladies Road for chophouse classics, or The Ox in the Old City for a more intimate setting.
Image - The Ox
If you're craving fresh fish dishes head to Noah’s seafood restaurant, which you'll find tucked away next to the Cumberland Basin at the Hotwells end of the Floating Harbour. KIBOU does great sushi and Japanese plates - toast the evening with a shot of sake or one of their signature cocktails!
Within a short walking distance from the University of Bristol Students Union, Bar 44 do a great selection of tapas dishes, and No.4 Clifton Village has a popular menu of seasonal British dishes.
Image - KIBOU
For something more casual, enjoy some classic burgers and fries at Three Brother Burgers on the harbourside, which has a dedicated vegan menu too. GBK in Cabot Circus are also offering 20% off their menu for graduates from Monday 24 July - Thursday 3 August, if you show a photo of you graduating, or show up in your gown!
If you want to combine great food with the perfect backdrop for those post-graduation photos, head to Harbour House, a former boatshed designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel with gorgeous views of the colourful houses of Redcliffe from its waterside terrace.
The River Grille nearby is offering a three course lunch with a complimentary glass of English Sparkling wine for £40 per person from 15 July - 1 August from 12:30-15:30.
Image - Harbour House
If you’re on the hunt for great veggie options, Root in Wapping Wharf let veg taking centre stage on their menu.
For a fancier meal, COR on North Street offer award-winning, seasonal small plates. Hattusa at Berwick Lodge will offer all adult members of the graduation party a complimentary glass of Prosecco with their meal.
- Find out where else to get great vegan options, or check out our vegan & vegetarian restaurants page
Image - COR
Toast with cocktails
Kick-start your celebrations at the Ivy Clifton Brasserie with their limited-edition cocktail, ‘That’s a Wrap’. This delightful drink is made with Beefeater gin, lemon, rose, and strawberry, and is elegantly garnished with a graduation-themed topper.
Looking for somewhere a bit quirkier? Hidden in plain sight in the city centre, The Milk Thistle has epic architecture, eclectic decor and exceptional cocktails. Trust us, your mates will be impressed!
Image - The Milk Thistle
Continue the celebrations at Bristol's top bars and breweries
If you just want somewhere to relax and enjoy a few drinks in the sun with your mates after all the formalities, check out Bristol’s breweries.
Wiper and True and Lost and Grounded sell freshly-brewed pints at their brewery taprooms, and also host regular street food vendors.
Image - Lost and Grounded
Bristol Beer Factory also have a popular brewery taptoom on North Street, or you can head to their newest pub in Wapping Wharf – Junction - for proper pub grub with a view of the harbour.
For fancier vibes The Strawberry Thief in Bristol’s Old City sells a range of local and international beer, with a food menu ranging from bar snacks and cheeseboards to confit duck leg (plus excellent vegan and gluten-free options).
If you’re not sure which pub you want to head to, make your way to Bristol's 'Beermuda Triangle', King Street, where you can visit Bristol Old Vic Kitchen + Bar, King Street Brew House and many more.
Toast your time in the West Country with a glas of wine at KASK in Bedminster or the extensive wine list at Hotel du Vin & Bistro.
Image - KASK
Afternoon tea
If you've been studying abroad in Bristol, treat yourself and your family to an indulgent graduation day treat with an afternoon tea. There are places serving everything from quaint cream teas to full-on teatime feasts - you can even choose to upgrade your drinks from tea or coffee to Prosecco or cocktails.
Image - Afternoon tea at No. 4 Clifton Village
Go on a night out
Plan a farewell drink and dance to the city (that's if you haven't caught the Bristol bug and are staying put, of course) with your uni mates. We're certain you have a long list of favourite bars and clubs by now, but you can always check out our guide to Bristol's student nightlife and see if there are any you're yet to experience.
Groovy Bristol Club - Death Disco will be running a special offer for graduates - expect live DJs, £5 beers and win, £7 deals on doubles, £3 shooters and two for £14 cocktails until midnight.
Image - Lakota
Find more things to do with friends and family
