Queenshilling

When I was doing my undergrad at Bristol Uni this was my go-​to spot to get my gay on. I don’t know how much it’s changed since I left the country but years back we would go on school nights where it was free. Now, if you’re really on a budget a lot of people would order drinks, not touch them, and decide to go have a fag outside. Then, the cocktail waitress would come around and sweep up the new drinks. As I made this observation, I believed it was a bloody shame to see all the drinks go, so there were many a great opportunities to help people out with their drinks. Ladies, plan on taking a pair of flip flops in your purse because walking on cobblestone drunk 2am up those hills are quite a feat!

The Queenshilling is one of a number of gay bars in this shabby but cool area under Park Street. I don’t know about you but I want my gay clubs to have that dive feel about them, sod all this shiny shiny rich posh scene. Give me a dark, underground den any day (or night!). So I went along to the Queenshilling for a mate’s birthday party and party just wasn’t the word. As well as being a foam party it was one of those nights where you pay X amount on the door (I seem to recall this was £20) and all your drinks are free. Big mistake. Free drinks = party til you puke no? This combined with the aftermath of being covered in foam (ie. Being sopping wet) made for a very interesting night. As with most gay clubs, men obviously outnumbered the women maybe five to one. When I first went (back in ’06) there were a lot of Alex Parks haircuts and attitudes. The place was utterly rammed and it took quite a while to get served if you weren’t a hot guy. Nowadays it’s not too much different.

Just hiding below Park Street are a few little clubs and pubs including The Academy, Basement 45 and the Hatchet. You’ll also find an odd looking building, which is home to possibly the most cheesy gay club in town.
The drinks aren’t too expensive, the music’s fun, it’s definitely a popular spot for the city’s gay crowd. Look out for their themed nights!