Well, we’re post-Glastonbury,we have a new mayor, and everyone is quitting everything.

But fear not, there’s plenty to keep you in good spirits throughout July – just read on!

Here are the festivals, tasty events and new openings you can look forward to in the coming weeks…(and that’s in addition to the amazingness that is Upfest coming to the city at the end of the month, and Bristol Harbour Festival!)

Events

I’m not sure where to start this month – I’ve already got tickets to a few events and am still debating which others I’ll have time and money for!

First up – possibly the most exciting event of them all – Fancy Sesh is back! On Friday 15th Foozie are hosting another bottomless cocktail party in a fancy dress shop, and tickets are only £20! This was one of the best events I went to last year, so make sure you don’t miss it!

In slightly more civilised news, Brigstow Bar & Kitchen in the harbour are doing a pork Nose to Tail dining event on Wed 6th – a six course feast produced by one of the city’s best chefs for only £28!

If you’re in the mood for celebrating America’s independence, head over to The Barley Mow near Temple Meads, or The Hare on North St to join their American beer festival frolics!

Another of my favourites, Bosh! are doing a Mexican night on Friday 15th, and if you’re feeling even more exotic you can head along to the 91 Ways: Flavours of Burma dinner on 12th July (£25) – all the money goes towards funding their Peace Cafe, so you’ll be doing a good deed and munching at the same time, hurrah!

The mighty Bristol Beer Week returns at the end of August, joined by the inuagural Bristol Craft Beer Festival – which will be having a launch party at Small Bar on Thursday 14th July at Small Bar (of course).

Speaking of Small Bar, in addition to ANOTHER menu change (farewell sloppy joes, but heyloo poutine!), they’re now doing regular beer & cheese matching evenings, as well as a VERY exciting beer dinner on Sunday 24th with Wylam brewery & Yeastie Boys.

Also, keep an eye out for the mega Cider & Sausage festival taking place at the start of August at the Passenger Shed, yum!

Pop ups & markets

Mexican food will be arriving at The Hillgrove from 19th July for a month, served up by the wonderful lot at The Plumed Serpent. They’ll also be playing host to Japanese gyozas from Eatchu from 12th-16th July, yum!

The Italian Pirate is at The Old Bookshop from 4th-9th serving traditional Italian dishes.

In addition to their fortnightly events at Temple Quay, Bristol Eats will be bringing their food stalls to the Bearpit for lunch on Wednesday 6th, and then to Tobacco Factory on Friday 8th with a seaside theme.

Classes & Workshops

Want to learn something new this month? Here are a few suggestions..

• Southern France wine tasting & nibbles at The Library £25
• Curing meat workshop at Coexist Community Kitchen, £39
• Cheese and wine tasting at Arch House Deli on 14th or 20th, £30
• Make your own gin at Weber & Tring’s on Wed 20th, £35
• Wild Beer Co tasting on Wed 6th at Avery’s Wine Merchants, £15
• Intro to Spain & Portugal wine tasting on Sat 30th at Bordeaux Quay, £35
• Magical Macaroons class at Little Kitchen £38

Newbies

If you’re like me you’ve barely tried any of the places that have opened this year already, but here are even more new names to add to the list. Where to start eh?

• Good news for fans of Caribbean cuisine – Turtle Bay are opening a new restaurant on Cheltenham Rd on the site formerly occupied by Plantation (RIP). Pop in on Friday 8th for their special Pay What You Feel launch event to raise money for the Malcolm X Centre in St Pauls.
• Award-winning Venetian tapas restaurant Polpo are opening on Whiteladies Rd in August – be excited!
• Pi Shop – the pizza and ice cream joint from the team behind Casamia – will be opening its doors on 21st July at The General near the harbour. Their other venture, Paco Tapas, won’t be far behind.
• The harbourside now has a new bar-restaurant-club in the form of Steinbeck & Shaw – pop in and see what you think!

 

Dates for the diary

• Wed 6th – Nose to Tail dining at Brigstow Bar & Kitchen
• Wed 6th – Bristol Eats lunchtime food market at the Bearpit
• Wed 6th – Wild Beer Co tasting at Avery’s
• Wed 6th – Meat curing workshop at Coexist Community Kitchen
• Wed 6th – Champagne tasting at Weber & Tring’s
• Thu 7th – Little Italy cookery class at Little Kitchen
• Fri 8th – Disco night at Yurt Lush with burger & a pint for £10
• Fri 8th – Bristol Eats evening food market at Tobacco Factory
• Sat 9th – Gin & Tonic tasting at Bordeaux Quay
• Sat 9th – Independence Fest at The Barley Mow
• Sat 9th – American beer fest at The Hare
• Mon 11th – Southern France wine tasting at The Library
• Tue 12th – 91 Ways: Flavours of Burma dinner
• Thu 14th – Cheese & wine tasting at Arch House Deli
• Thu 14th – Bristol Craft Beer Festival launch party
• Fri 15th – Bosh! Mexican night supper club
• Fri 15th – Fancy Sesh: bottomless cocktails in a fancy dress shop!
• Sat 16th – Magical Macaroons class at Little Kitchen
• Sun 17th – Vegan cream tea from The Spotless Leopard
• Wed 20th – Make your own gin at Weber & Tring’s
• Wed 20th  –Vegetarian cookery class at Little Kitchen
• Wed 20th – Cheese & wine tasting at Arch House Deli
• Thu 21st – Pi Shop opens
• Thu 21st-Sun 24th – Beer & Cider Festival at The Victoria Park
• Thu 21st – Gin & tonic tasting at Bordeaux Quay
• Fri 22nd – Vegan & vegetarian speed dating at Phoenix Cafe
• Sat 23rd – Afternoon tea at The Historical Dining Rooms
• Sat 23rd-Sun 24th – Brewery open weekend at King St Brew House
• Sat 23rd – Bristol Brewery Tour
• Sun 24th – Wylam & Yeastie Boys beer dinner at Small Bar
• Wed 27th – Aromatic cellar tasting at Avery’s
• Sat 30th  –Bishopston Supper Club
• Sat 30th – Afternoon tea at The Historical Dining Rooms
• Sat 30th – Intro to Spain & Portugal wine tasting at Bordeaux Quay
• Sat 30th – Clandesdiner supper club
• Sat 30th – Brunch 808 at Club Haus: Hip hop edition