One more pint...? - Beer, cider, bars and live music

Amongst the things Bristol is famous for are its street art, its music scene and, of course, its cider.  Maybe there's an evening you don't want to join the festivities planned for the weekend, or you have an extra night or two before or after?  Here's a few recommendations of possible places to amuse yourself if you feel like a drink or two.

Cider

For those interested in trying the wonderful nectar of the Apples, here are a few suggestions:

• The Apple - arguably the most popular cider bar in the city, split between a converted grain barge moored on Welsh Back and tables on the quayside
• The Stable - arguably the largest collection of draught cider in Bristol, slightly confusingly in a restaurant specialising in pizza and pies amongst the pine furniture.  Does "tasting sticks" with 1/3 pint glasses of 5 different ciders for £7.50.
• The Orchard - Voted UK Cider Pub of the year a few years back by CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale - they also like real cider...), this is the only real contender for the number of ciders offered, but in a real old-man pub instead - it's a bit out of the centre, though, near the SS Great Britain
• The Coronation Tap - the grand old lady of Bristol cider pubs, up near the Clifton Suspension Bridge, but only open in the evening.  Home to the infamous Exhibition, supposedly the strongest cider in Bristol (at around 11% by volume)

Beer

More interested in the grain than the grape?  Here are a few (relatively central) places famous for their range of beers:

• Beer Emporium - the clue is in the name.  This cellar bar on King Street forms part of the "beer-muda triangle" and carries a wide and changing range of traditional cask ales and craft keg beers (the latter are, unsuprisingly, rather more expensive...)
• Small Bar - another corner of the triangle on King Street.  Slightly confusingly sells all beers in measures like 1/3 or 2/3 pints.  Specialises in craft beer, so it's not cheap but it's invariably interesting.  Does "tasting flight" options where you can get small glasses of 5 different beers (though you have to pay extra if you want the more unusual strong ones over 7%)
• The Famous Royal Navy Volunteer - almost universally known as "The Volley", this is the third point of the triangle.  Their beer list takes up much of the wall, and they sell almost everything in 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or pint measures.  Again the cask options tend to be better value than the keg ones.
• Brewdog.  Yes, we have one.  If you've seen one before, you know the score - very tasty, if somewhat expensive, craft beer.  Generally pretty lively.
• The Three Tuns - something of a hidden gem, with a nice collection of cask ales and few craft beers, just down the road from the Cathedral
• The Cornubia - slightly tricky to find, off a back street from Victoria Street, this is a favourite haunt of the real ale brigade
• The Seven Stars - another real ale pub, usually a contender in the "pub of the year" competition of the local CAMRA branch
• The Crofters Rights - craft beer ahoy, with a long line of taps and a menu written up on the wall in chalk.  Also has live music some nights (and DJs some others)

Live music

Are you a fan of the thrill of seeing bands playing live in the flesh?  Bristol has a strong tradition of local music, often playing in pubs and bars with no cover charge but a bucket going around for donations to the musicians (give generously if you enjoy!).  Here are a few places with a tradition of live music (though there are many more options around, especially on weekend nights):

• The Canteen - the house bar at the bottom of the Hamilton House building on Stokes Croft, famous for the 2 large pieces of street art facing each other outside (one of which is possibly the largest Banksy piece in Bristol), this is one of the venues that has live music every night of the week
• The Old Duke - becoming a bit of a tourist trap at times now, but still a Bristol institution, this corner bar on King Street is Bristol's most famous jazz/blues/world music bar, and again has live music every night of the week
• The Fleece - a real concert venue rather than a bar with live music, you'll need tickets for gigs here, but the atmosphere can be great
• #1 Harbourside - a personal favourite of the author, especially on Friday and Saturday nights, the music selection is eclectic but frequently excellent.  They also have a decent range of drinks that aren't expensive for being right on the Harbour, but be warned if it's warm - the place sometimes gets super-hot as there's no A/C, particularly if the band gets everyone dancing.
• The Louisiana - more of an indie/rock place, across the harbour from the city centre
• The Golden Lion - a fair way out of the centre on Gloucester Road, but often has an excellent atmosphere for live bands
• The Gallimaufry - closer in on Gloucester Road
• The Thunderbolt - one to look into if you're over near the Bath Road, a small venue that can have a fun atmosphere