Bristol’s lost nightclubs you’ll remember partying at – including two from this year

Many things may come to mind when one thinks of Bristol; the many tourist attractions and festivals that frequent the city, the culture and history behind several notable landmarks or perhaps the slang terms that defined the accent of the region. But Bristol’s nightlife is also well known outside the region.

Whether it’s live music or nightclubs, pubs and bars or things to do, Bristol has a great reputation for a fun night out. Nightclubs in particular have had a big impact on the city and the many generations that have experienced one or more of the clubs over the decades.

Bristol has lost many gems when it comes to nightclubs and while some new nightclubs have sprung up in recent years, many look back fondly on the best clubbing years that have sadly faded into the past . We look back at some of these clubs and find out what’s happened since they closed.

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at Tiffany’s

Starting with The Glen in the 1950s and 1960s, Tiffany’s was considered one of the best in Bristol between the 1960s and the mid-1980s before closing for good. Known as a popular live music venue on the site of a former quarry, the Durdham Downs club at the top of Whiteladies Road has hosted the likes of The Clash and Argent.

At its peak in the 1970s, fake palm trees, a tacky dance floor and a revolving stage made Tiffany’s well-known outside its inner circle. Currently, the Spire Private Hospital is where the now demolished club stood.

Union

The Nelson Street venue has gone by many different names over the years, including Papillons, The Works, Top Rank, Baileys, Romeo and Juliets and Odyssey. However, the club was known as the Union for nine years.

It was once popular with students and closed in 2015 where it became SWX. The music venue has several rooms dedicated to different music and continues today.

Mandrake

Another nightclub that lives on under another name, The Mandrake on Frogmore Street was one of Bristol’s longest-running clubs. It was open for 40 years until it closed in 2009.

Known for being an underground venue that could hold 300 people, it’s now being revived as Basement 45. Basement 45 is still going strong today, meaning a new generation of Bristolians can experience the underground venue as it would their parents.

granary

The legendary club has hosted the likes of Status Quo, Genesis, Slade and Iron Maiden, Thin Lizzy and Billy Idol during its 20-year life. Starting in 1968 as a jazz club, it eventually became known for concerts, and later the underground venue was the main night spot for Bristolians.

After it closed in 1988, it became a wine bar and then a fish restaurant which closed in 2020. It is now home to The Granary, a new restaurant specializing in comfort food with a bit of flair.

Surrey Diseases

Apparently this club in St Pauls was once Oscar Wilde’s favorite drinking spot and a popular venue for bands and DJs who wanted an intimate crowd. However, the club closed in 2017 due to noise complaints from newly built apartments.

Since the club closed, the former nightclub has remained empty and it is unknown if there are any plans to regenerate the once great nightclub.

Gravity

Gravity Nightclub in Clifton closed its doors in April after financial struggles. Opened in 2017 on Clifton Triangle, it was one of Bristol’s biggest nightclubs and was known for its special guests and foam parties.

In an Instagram post, Gravity announced that the headquarters will be repurposed, although few other details are known. The team behind the nightclub paid a heartfelt tribute to their customers.

Dojo Nightclub

Gravity wasn’t the only nightclub to lose out this year, Dojo also announced its closure in May. On May 8, former Gloucestershire and England cricketer David ‘Syd’ Lawrence announced the sudden closure of the nightclub after 25 years of operation.

Blaming “economic circumstances” for the closure, it drew comments from residents reminiscing about the house music that would once play at the underground venue. The Park Row seat is now vacant.

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