6 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 for ways to celebrate and make it an occasion you never forget.
When is graduation in Bristol?
UWE Summer Graduation will run from Monday 13 to Thursday 23 July 2026, and the University of Bristol Summer graduation dates are Wednesday 8 July to Friday 17 July.
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 their family members stay at Brooks.
Image - Brooks Guesthouse Bristol
The Clayton Hotel Bristol also has its own special offer for graduates - spoil yourself on your special day with an overnight stay with a complimentary bottle of bubbly.
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, and if you have all of the family visiting, under 12s stay for free!
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. Bambalan is the official venue for UWE graduations and is perfectly situated across the road from the Bristol Beacon. They'll be open daily throughout graduation days from 9am, serving coffee, teas, hot chocolate, pastries and breakfast bites. They'll even give you a free bottle of Prosecco to toast your hard work if you book in to dine with them.
If you want to get a quick bite to eat before running to your ceremony, Spicer and Cole at the RWA sell a great selection of coffees, snacks and pastries.
Image - Bambalan
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
- The Square Kitchen
- Pizza on the Park
- Flight Club
- Cosy Club
- Bistro du Vin
- Colonnade
- Harbour House
- The Granary
- The Lido Restaurant
- Mowgli
- The Ivy Clifton Brasserie
- Chophouse Restaurant and Bar
Image - Harbour House
Book a celebratory dinner
After parading around town with your gown, you’re bound to want a good meal after. You'll find special graduation set menus on offer at Cosy Club, San Carlo, The Christmas Steps pub and Bistro du Vin in the city centre, or The Lido Restaurant, No.4 Clifton Village and Pizza on the Park in Clifton.
For something more casual, enjoy some classic burgers and fries at Three Brothers Burgers on the harbourside, which has a dedicated vegan menu too. If you want to combine great food with the perfect backdrop for those post-graduation photos, head to Harbour House, with gorgeous views of the colourful houses of Redcliffe from its waterside terrace.
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!
Image - No.4 Clifton Village
Toast with cocktails
Kick-start your celebrations at the Ivy Clifton Brasserie with their epic cocktail menu in a grand setting, or if you're looking for somewhere a bit quirkier, 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 taproom on North Street, or you can head to their pub, Junction in Wapping Wharf, for proper pub grub with a view of the harbour.
For fancier vibes, Froth & Fries 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, Small Bar, Renato's and many more.
Toast your time in the West Country with a glass 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.
Image - Lakota
Find more things to do with friends and family
