If 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 17 – Friday 28 July 2023 and University of Bristol Summer graduation dates are Thursday 27 July – Thursday 3 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. 

The Clayton Hotel Bristol City 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. Enjoy a two-night stay with dinner as part of their Spring into Summer package. 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.

Stay at Berwick Lodge in North Bristol between Sunday 16th July - Friday 4th August (subject to availability) and receive complimentary breakfast and a bottle of Prosecco.

Brooks guesthouse Bristol air streamerImage - Brooks Guesthouse Bristol

There are also plenty of accommodation options within easy walking distance of the University of Bristol campus and Clifton Village.

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.

Lost and grounded bedroomImage - 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.

Mud Dock cycle works interiorImage - Mud Dock Café

Feeling sophisticated? Aqua Grand Café 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.

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.

Rick's Harbourside french toast and orange juiceImage - Rick's Bristol 

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.

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.

Prosecco outside Pizza on the Park
Image - Pizza on the Park

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:

Dining table in the Playroom at Racks Bar and KitchenImage - 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.

Meat plate at The Ox
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. Izakaya do great sushi and Japanese plates, as does KIBOU - 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.

Sushi from Izakaya BristolImage - Izakaya Bristol

For something more casual, enjoy some classic burgers and fries at Three Brother Burgers on the harbourside or Burger Theory on Stokes Croft and the city centre. Both have extensive veggie and vegan options 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.

Harbour House exterior by Bristol Harbourside waterfrontImage - Harbour House

If you’re on the hunt for great veggie options, Pastan specialise in vegan pasta and 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.

Toast with cocktails

Not only do The Coconut Tree in Clifton and Gloucester Road do delicious Sri Lankan food, they also sell epic cocktails too. One of our favourite include The Drunken Sri Lankan, served in a cute elephant cup - perfect for selfies! 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!

Cocktail at The Milk Thistle
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.

People at lost and groundedImage - 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.

KASK wine bar Bristol
Image - KASK, Credit: Yuup

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. 

Afternoon tea at No.4 Bristol

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. 

Apex club night at LakotaImage - Lakota

Go shopping 

There are many great graduation offers at Cabot Circus, including: free personal shopping at House of Fraser, 15% off perfume at The Perfume Shop, and a free succulent from Prior in Quakers Friars. 

Find more things to do with friends and family

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