Bierkeller - Bristol

The best way I can think of to describe the Bierkeller is to tell you about the last time I went to see The Fall there. For the uninitiated The Fall are a grumpy old man called Mark E. Smith and a constantly changing (because he keeps on sacking them) backing band that enjoy a cult following. Anyway, I went to see them at the Bierkeller some years ago. Everything was as normal to start with. People dancing, people drinking larger, bouncers looking hard, etc. Then, about fifteen minutes into the set, Smith shoves the keyboardist and starts playing what i'm sure are just random notes. After this he went off stage for about five minutes, during which the band just kept on playing. At the Bierkeller, nobody blinks an eyelid at this. People just keep on bobbing along and drinking their beer. So a music venue where people won't get too up set if the artist doesn't do quite what is expected of him or her. It's obviously all about the beer. The beer and the rock/metal/punk music, really; of which there is a programme of gigs and regular club nights. Bristol's alternative scene is a better place for the chilled out Bierkeller

I came here with a big bunch of my friends for a night out. We arrived just as the band was finishing but they appeared to be pretty good! The place is pretty big! It has poles for dancing doors for posing on and a nice dance area. The music on the metal night was brilliant in our opinion. We came from all over and all had a great time! its really cheap as well! You buy a beer you get a shot? Never been to a place like that before! All in all a great metal night out. its a bit dingy but all the best metal bars are! I think they do different nights, so if you want metal look on the website!

This 'timeless ' venue really hasn 't changed in the slightest for at least the last 15 years. Possibly the least plush place in Bristol, the main dancefloor is all stone and pillars with rows of benches down the sides. If it weren 't for the presence of a couple of pool tables, you could be forgiven for thinking you were in a medieval torture chamber! It specialises in rock and metal nights, though Oompah Night (Bavarian style **** up which is aimed at stags, hens, etc) rules on Saturdays. I personally wouldn 't bother with any of their club nights, though they do occasionally put on some decent national bands in the week.

The Bierkeller is a bit of a dark and dingy dive, but I think that's probably half of its appeal for many regulars. It's true that it's the kind of venue where the soles of your shoes stick to the floor when you try to walk, and where you need to swill enough beer not to care about quite how grim the place is. Despite being shabby on both the inside and the outside, Bierkeller clearly has an enduring appeal for its loyal customers. I've been to a couple of gigs here and despite feeling a bit tainted by the general grime I had a lot of fun. In the main, this good time drinking den is most popular with students and rockers, throwing in live punk, metal and rock bands on several nights for good measure. For those on a budget, the beer is cheap and plentiful, and the traditional German pub lay out with long tables and benches to share creates a friendly, lively atmosphere.

Darn good fun. Cheap booze, random selection of popular rock and metal and a fairly friendly crowd. Not bad for a cheap night out with friends if you want to drink and dance without much stress. The decor ain't great, but once you've enough booze down you I doubt it'll matter hugely!