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Your Total Guide To entertainment

Where to Go on a Date in Bristol

No matter how creative you are, it can be hard to come up with fun, fresh and flirty date ideas on a regular basis. So, we’ve compiled a list of top-notch date ideas to help you get out of the dinner and drinks rut.

If you'd like your business featured in this guide contact liz@totalguideto.com, alternatively if you have any innovative suggestions for us, tweet @Total_Bristol with your recommendations.  

Dinner Date

Dinner Date

Venue: Greenhouse Bristol

About: This contemporary bar offers a unique blend of tranquility and excitement, with an intimate ambiance that will transport you to a world of calmness, while its summer-inspired décor will leave you feeling energised and refreshed.

The Date: Location, style, and ambiance are everything so make sure that you pick the perfect venue. Choosing the right shirt and minding your Ps and Qs will go a long way too!

Sampling exciting exotic dishes and sharing new experiences on your date is a great way to build a connection with someone.

Address: 37 College Green, Bristol, Gloucestershire, BS1 5SP

Telephone: 0117 927 6426

Find out more
Zoo Trip

Zoo Trip

Venue: Bristol Zoo

About: A trip to the zoo is a fun and unique way to take advantage of a sunny day! 

If possible, avoid school holidays, and research a few facts about your favourite animals in advance.

The Date: Don’t feel like you have to see everything! Work out which animals you really want see and find out when their feeding times are. This way you won't leave feeling exhausted and you can come back on a future date to see the bits you missed. 

Address: Clifton, Bristol, BS8 3HA

Telephone: 0117 974 7300

Theatre

Theatre

Venue: Bristol Hippodrome

About: No, not the cinema. The theatre! This is the perfect oppurtunity for the two of you to get dressed up and enjoy yourselves in style!

The Date: The idea of sitting in a silent auditorium for three hours, with someone you barely know may seem like a daunting experience but there's really no need to panic! The show will fly by and give you tons to talk about during the interval and after the performance.

This is better than any Hollywood blockbuster and a lot more original too. 

Address: Saint Augustine's Parade, Bristol, BS1 4UZ 

Telephone: 0844 871 3012

Chocolate Tasting Experience

Chocolate Tasting Experience

About: Who doesn’t love chocolate?

Embark on a sensory chocolate-tasting experience with Carlos, a third-generation Italian Ecuadorian chocolate maker as he guides you through flavour profiles, origins, and how to even pair different chocolates with other ingredients to bring out the best in both. You won’t find any dairy milk here. This is serious business and will leave you with a whole new perspective and appreciation for chocolate you never thought possible.

Check it out HERE

Address: 20 Passage Leaze, Bristol, BS11 9QL

Yoga With Puppies

Yoga With Puppies

About: Yep… you read that right… YOGA with ACTUAL PUPPIES!!!! What more do we need to say if you need any more convincing that this is the BEST way to spend an afternoon then we’re not sure you deserve a date night at all!

Enjoy the relaxing art of yoga with the utterly adorable bonus of being surrounded by fluffy, cheeky puppies and their mums! Not only will this benefit you as well… its yoga with puppies but this also benefits the puppies (who tend to be aged between 5-8 weeks old) as it helps to get them socialised before they find their forever homes. 

Find out more HERE

Address: Bristol City Centre, Bristol, BS1

Bowling

Bowling

Venue: The Lanes

About: This old-school hangout combines the fun of bowling with a stylish pizzeria - serving up the best Pizzas this side of Italy. If you fancied some refreshments while you flirt The Lanes bar also offers an unrivalled range of top quality keg and cask beers, cocktails and tasty Hard Shakes.

The Date: If you're looking for a low pressure date with a casual vibe; bowling is the activity for you. The two of you can enjoy a shake or share a pizza while engaging in a friendly competition.

Remember - the more fun you have, the better chance you'll stand of getting a second date.  

Address: 22 Nelson Street, Bristol, BS1 2LE

Telephone: 0117 325 1979

Aquarium

Aquarium

Venue: Bristol Aquarium

About: Located in the famous Bristol harbour, the new Bristol Aquarium is a quirky alternative to an uneventful trip to the cinema. Stroll hand in hand admiring the tropical sharks, the beautiful seahorses and sit down and be amazed in the undersea tunnel. 

The Date: Aquariums aren't just for school trips; they're also great places for first dates too. Your new fishy friends will provide you with plenty to talk about and also act as a distraction in between conversations - no awkward silences here. 

Brush up on your underwater knowledge and settle in for an enormously fun and thoughtful first date.

Address: Anchor Road, Bristol BS1 5TT

Telephone: 0117 929 8929

Mini Golf

Mini Golf

Venue: Jungle Rumble

About: Jungle Rumble is one of the best and most exciting indoor adventure golf courses in the South West. Reminiscent of an Indiana Jones film set, the course features a diverse array of adventurous holes including a live volcano cave, temple ruins and a secret swamp. 

The Date: If your date isn't a dab hand with a putter, helping them with their swing is a great opportunity to get up close and personal.

On the flip side, if your date's a little more at home on the green, it’s the perfect chance for some playful competition.

Address: Cabot Circus, 76 Glass Walk, Bristol, BS1 3BQ

Telephone: 0117 929 7771

Museums

Museums

Venue: Bristol Museum and Art Gallery

About: Bristol Museum & Art Gallery is home to over 19 galleries of world-class art, archaeology, geology and natural history. The Museum boasts a range of dynamic exhibitions and a diverse events programme throughout the year. 

The Date: Walking through exhibitions together and learning about new and interesting things is a great bonding experience and will give you plenty to talk about. 

Make sure to take a break from browsing to eat a quick lunch and pop to the gift shop to pick out souvenirs for each other.

Address: Queens Road, Bristol, BS8 1RL

Telephone: 0117 922 3571

Wild Wookey Cave exploring

Wild Wookey Cave exploring

Venue: Wookey Hole Caves

About: Fancy some adventure? (Technically Somerset but this is so good,we couldn’t not include it on our list of unusual date night ideas), Wild Wookey Cave exploration might be the perfect thing for you both! 

NOT for the faint of heart, you will be guided throughout the famous caves of Wookey Hole in this unforgettable experience. Abseil, crawl and clip climb your way throughout the parts of the caves the general public don;t get to experience and then exit the caves in style… (we won’t ruin it for you but it’s something you won’t ever forget).

This experience is for the thrill seekers, physically fit and not for those who are afraid of heights or smaller spaces. If you think you and your date might be up for the challenge, this promises to be a date you will both never ever forget! 

Address: Wookey Hole Caves, The Mill, Wookey Hole, BA5 1BA

Telephone: 01749 672243

Rock n Roll Walking Tour

Rock n Roll Walking Tour

About: They say it’s only rock and roll… but it’s a massive part of Bristol's history!

Bristol is so loved for its rock n roll past but have you ever had a Rock n roll walking tour of the city and learned about where and when exactly legendary acts such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and David Bowie ever played?

Well here is your chance!!! Former Rock n roll music fan and band manager John will lead you on a thrilling tour of the city as you’ve never seen it before that helped shape its incredible music scene that exists today!

Check it out HERE.

Address: The White Harte, 54-58 Park Row, Bristol, BS1 5LH

Belly Dancing For Beginners

Belly Dancing For Beginners

Venue: Jump Studios Bristol

About: Shimmy your way into someone's heart with a fantastically enchanting two-hour beginner's belly dancing workshop.

You will not only learn the essential techniques to be able to live out your best Shakera dreams but you will also be taught about the history of the dance, the different styles, and how to enchant your audience. 

Address: Jump Studios Bristol, 5 Neptune Court, Barton Manor, Bristol, BS2 0RL

 

Murder Mystery Night

Murder Mystery Night

Venue: The Mount Without

About: Ahhh the classic “Who done it”. Was it the butler in the library? Was it Mary in her nightgown on the landing? Or was it…. YOU?

Create a truly unforgettable date night and solve a scandalous murder all at the same time. This theatrical, immersive and utterly charming activity is the perfect way to figure out if your date has the perfect alibi or skills to get away with murder while you’re guided through the experience by drag artist Mariana Trench. 

Pre Booking is essential - find out more HERE.

Address: St. Michaels Church, Bristol, BS2 8FN

Circus skills

Circus skills

Venue: Circomedia

About: You and your date will be flying through the air with the greatest of ease… on the flying trapeze… perhaps. But you could definitely start to get the hang of it along with Aerial hoop, silks and mixed aerial skills with taster sessions as Circomedia.

Regardless of your current ability, these drop in sessions, open to anyone, will see you have the opportunity to try your hand at your favourite circus skill and perhaps discover a new talent you never knew you had. We hope your date doesn't run away and join the circus at the end though… 

Address: Circomedia, St Paul's Church, Portland Sq, Bristol

Telephone: 0117 947 7288

Clifton Suspension Bridge Hard Hat Tour

Clifton Suspension Bridge Hard Hat Tour

Venue: Clifton Suspension Bridge

About: Keeping on the exploratory theme but a little closer to home this time, did you know you could have a Hard Hat tour on the iconic Bristol Suspension Bridge and see it in a whole new light, regardless of how long you have lived in Bristol?

You will be taken deep into the Victorian vaults under Leigh Woods Tower and see the city in a whole new way as you work your way through twelve vaulted, red brick chambers designed by Brunel over 150 years ago. 

Address: Clifton Suspension Bridge Visitor Centre, Bridge Road, Leigh Woods, Bristol

Telephone: 0117 974 4664

Bump Roller Disco

Bump Roller Disco

Venue: Bump Club

About: Get your groove on and skate the night away at one of Bump’s many roller discos filled with all ages and abilities. On Saturday evenings you will find “Bump club” from 8pm - 11pm featuring guest DJ and musical to make the soundtrack even sweeter.

No skates? No problem, you can hire everything you need at Bump itself. No skating skills? Also no problem, this is for all abilities but you could also try out some of the many Bump classes on offer throughout the week and polish up your skate dance moves before the big date.

Address: Redcliffe Wharf, Bristol

Telephone: 07816 442815

Sightseeing

Sightseeing

Venue: City Sightseeing Bristol

About: Sit back and relax on one of City Sightseeing's distinctive red open top buses, and enjoy the city from a whole new perspective. The tour stops at some of the city’s best attractions including Brunel's SS Great Britain, Bristol Zoo Gardens, @Bristol and The Bristol Aquarium.

The Date: Living and working in Bristol we can sometimes take our hometown for granted, so why not try to see the city from a tourist’s perspective? 

The Hop-on/Hop-off tickets allow you to get off and explore, so make sure that your date is up for an adventure. 

Address: Broad Quay, Bristol, BS1 4QF

Telephone: 0870 444 0654

Wine Pairings

Wine Pairings

Impress your date with these brilliant wine pairings

Choosing a good wine for your date can be a little daunting, so we've teamed up with the experts at Novel Wines to pick some crowd-pleasers that impress.

The safe bet for white wines is usually a Sauvignon Blanc and the Marlborough region in New Zealand offers consistently good quality. However, if you want to offer something a little more interesting, why not try the Casa Valduga Raizes Sauvignon from Brazil? It's fruitier and zippier than its New Zealand friends but still guaranteed to put a smile on a Sauvignon fan's face. If you want something a little more versatile than Sauvignon, for example if you don't know what's for dinner or what their tastes are, go eccentric with the Kayra Narince from Turkey. This juicy, floral white wine is a great food partner and good value too.

The red wines can also be challenging. Merlot can be hit and miss and a lot of supermarket Bordeaux is usually unimpressive. Spanish Rioja is usually an easy option, or you are generally safe going for the juicy Nero d'Avola reds from Sicily. In fact, this Colomba Bianca 'Vitese' Nero d'Avola is both organic and vegan friendly, as well as superb value. If you're going for pizza or pasta, try a medium bodied Uruguayan Tannat like the Bodega Stagnari Del Pedregal, full of plum and blackberry notes.

If you don't know whether to go with red or white and your date says "just bring the wine", then we've got you covered. Chateau Ksara Sunset Rose from Lebanon is spicy, fruity and creamy. It's bound to please!

Private Pottery Classes For Beginners

Private Pottery Classes For Beginners

Venue: Studio 8

About: Studio 8 offers one-to-one tuition for 2 hours to give you the opportunity to get to grips with the artful yet fun skill of pottery wheel throwing! Learn how to make ceramics and master the basics in this creative skill that will make a lasting impression on whoever is lucky enough to partake in this with you!

Find out more here.

Address: 9 Bath Buildings, Montpelier, Bristol, BS6 5PT

 

Cocktail Making

Cocktail Making

Venue: Revolution

About: Whatever your favourite tipples are, Revolution can teach you and your date just how to make them.

During your session you'll learn the art of cocktail making and find out how to mix, mash and muddle some of your favourite drinks. As well as learning about cocktail making you'll also get to sample as you go!

The Date: Both like a drink or two? Well instead of heading down to your local, why not try out a cocktail making masterclass instead? This type of date is great fun and will allow you to find out how creative your date really is. 

Address: 19-21 St Nicholas Street, Bristol, BS1 1UA

Telephone: 0117 930 4335

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