Hello from a misty and frosty corner of Bristol – it feels like the right time to say that I’m feeling suitably festive and excited by the prospect of lots of cheese, stodge, stouts and mulled beverages over the coming weeks.
There’s plenty going on across the city to get you in the party spirit, take a look below and let me know over on the socials (tweets or Insta) what you’re booking – or take a look at my Bristol Foodie Gift Guide for some present-buying inspiration.
There won’t be a guide in January as I always take that month off, but you can keep up to date with more food news from me on Twitter, Instagram or follow this blog on Facebook – I’ve also added some January events in below if you want to be get some stuff booked for 2024 (or buy as a gift).
News & updates
The Mazi Project have teamed up with some of Bristol’s best shops, cafes and restaurants to curate a ‘give-back’ map of Bristol’s finest food and drink spots. Each location on the trail is a partner in supplying meals and meal kits to Bristol’s vulnerable 16-25-year-olds this winter – so enjoy some delicious food and drink this December with the added bonus of helping Bristol’s 16-25 year olds facing food poverty.
You can also order their Give-a-Box scheme, with upcoming recipe boxes curated by Yeo Valley, Josh Eggleton, Maisie_williams, Sonny Stores, COR and Eats Everything. Each time you buy a recipe box you are also providing a vulnerable young person in Bristol with a meal.
She Drinks Beer is back at the Kings Head on Tuesday 5th Dec, or you can head along to their first event of 2024 on Tuesday 9th Jan at The Good Measure.
Belly Laughs returns to Bath in January! No word on the Bristol events, but you can now book tickets to comedy gigs at bars and restaurants across Bath, including Novel Wines, Bandook, Bath Cider House, Electric Bear Brewing, Budo Ba, Kingsmead Bottle Shop and Sugarcane Studio. Full list of events here.
Brozen (the only bar in the world dedicated to liquid nitrogen frozen cocktails!) has just launched its Christmas specials. The Christmas School Pisco (pisco , lemon, grapefuit bitters, Coca Cola & lemon sherbert) & Sleigh Queen (pisco, apricot brandy, lime, Peychauds Bitters and a touch of Absinthe) will be on sale for all of December.
The Old Market Assembly have announced their first dining event of 2024 to tie in with Veganuary – Vegan & Vine will feature a selection of vegan small plates (including braised leek with romesco and cauliflower al la gallega) with paired wines for £45pp.
New Japanese pop-up Kinjo No Kitchin will be popping up at Tomo No Ramen from 27-30 December with dishes including katsu kare, tempura and more.
The founder of Tomo No Ramen is also launching a Ramen cookery class from January 2024, based at Little Kitchen in Totterdown. The first class will focus on making noodles and wontons from scratch.
Coexist Community Kitchen in Easton are crowdfunding to refurbish their kitchen and expand their team – they do amazing work and you can pledge for fun events like chilli jam, noodles & broth or fresh cheesemaking workshops. Find out more here.
Festivals & Celebrations
It’s been a big year for anniversaries and big birthdays, and December is no different. Celebrate ten years of Small Bar on Thu 7th, and the following day will be the 5th birthday of The Good Measure in Redland.
Dinners
Treat yourself to a meal to remember…
- BLASÉ at Bristol Loaf (Fri 8th – Sat 9th, £60)
- Winter feast & folk night at Coexist Community Kitchen (Fri 8th, £45)
- Burra North Street x Corks Wine Pairing Evening (Fri 8th, £60)
- Murder Mystery on Brunel’s SS Great Britain (Sat 9th, £95)
- Vegan & Vine at The Old Market Assembly (Tue 23rd Jan, £45)
Christmas menus and deals
Whether you’re up for a traditional Christmas lunch or a fun way to get together with friends or colleagyes, here a few of my top picks, but I’ll be sharing loads more over on Instagram in this highlight.
- Pizza on the Park are doing pizza or feasts with bottomless bubbles and spritzes throughout December
- Christmas platter menu from Eatchu at Wiper and True taproom for £40pp
- Noah are doing a festive menu with two courses for £32.50 or three courses for £39.
- Poco have just launched a veggie + vegan ‘Root to Fruit’ festive menu for £35pp.
- Lucky Strike in Bedminster are doing 3 courses for £29pp
- Book in for the menu du jour at COR in Bedminster to get a starter, main & dessert for £30 on any weekday lunch.
- Book a festive two-course meal for £28 or three courses for £34 at Salt & Malt in Wapping Wharf.
- Get two courses for £27 or three courses for £34 at Bocabar Finzels or Paintworks.
- Quay Street Diner are doing a Christmas Set Menu at £21.95 for two courses or £26.95 for three courses.
New Year’s Eve
There are more NYE parties, dinners and special events than I can take time to list here, but here are a few of the more food-centric ones, or what jumps out at me, but a lot of places are open if you want to book in for a chilled meal or drinks, just check their socials. More NYE events here on Visit Bristol or more music/club night ones here on Headfirst. I’ve also been sharing a bunch of events as they come through to this highlight.
- NYE Disco at Bambalan (£20, or £50 with Mediterranean feast)
- NYE at Pazzo – four courses, bubbles and dancing for £65pp
- Scrumpy Pumpy Tap Room NYE at Cider Box (£5, or £12 for 4)
- NYE at Bianchis – four courses and welcome bubbles for £65pp
- The Cabinet of Curiosities at The Raven (from £20)
- Las Vegas NYE at Racks with free bar, grand buffet, live music and casino (£110)
- Dancetaria at Death Disco (£20)
- New Year’s Eve brunch at Flight Club (£35)
- ABBA New Year at Blame Gloria (£15)
- NYE dinner at Riverstation
Tastings and tours
Try something new or learn a new skill to end the year!
- Wed 6th – Xmas fizz tasting at KASK (£35)
- Thu 7th – Design your own wine label at KASK (£20)
- Thu 7th – Whisky Lover’s Masterclass (£30)
- Thu 7th – Christmas biscuit decorating at The Elephant House (£30 – £35)
- Fri 8th – Gin masterclass at Psychopomp distillery (£30)
- Fri 8th – Whisky and chocolate tasting at Badminton House (£65)
- Sat 9th – Seasonal bread class at Little Kitchen (£70)
- Sat 9th – Bristol Winter Cider Walk (£33)
- Mon 11th – The Whisky Fight Club 2023: England vs Australia at The Clockwork Rose (£25)
- Tue 12th – Ghanian cookery class at St Werbughs Community Centre (£45)
- Tue 12th – Workout and wine tasting at Clifton Library (£40)
- Wed 13th – Sri Lankan cookery class at Coexist Community Kitchen (£45)
- Wed 13th – Averys Christmas Treats Cellar Tasting (£30)
- Fri 15th – Vegan cheese tasting night at SPARKS (£15)
- Fri 15th – Spanish cookery class at Cooking It (£70)
- Sat 16th – Bristol Christmas food and wine tour (£39)
- Sat 16th – Bristol Winter Cider Walk (£33)
- Sat 16th – Wapping Wharf Gourmet Food Tour (£60)
- Sat 16th – Cheese & wine tasting at Averys (£35)
- Sat 16th – Adult & child Christmas truffles class at Little Kitchen (£70)
- Wed 20th – Christmas cookie decorating at SPARKS (£4 – £6)
- Wed 20th – Last minute Xmas wines at KASK (£35)
- Thu 21st – Whisky Lover’s Masterclass (£30)
- Fri 22nd – Gin masterclass at Psychopomp distillery (£30)
- Fri 22nd – Christmas cookie decorating at SPARKS (£4 – £6)
- Sat 23rd – Bristol Winter Cider Walk (£33)
- Wed 10th Jan – Somali cookery class at Coexist Community Kitchen (£45)
- Fri 12th Jan – All you can eat and drink cheese & wine night at Zion Bristol (£12.50 – £25)
- Sat 13th Jan – Wapping Wharf Gourmet Food Tour (£60)
- Tue 16th Jan – Thai From Chiang Mai cookery class at Coexist Community Kitchen (£57)
- Wed 17th Jan – Wine & chocolate matching at The Scrandit (£45)
- Wed 17th Jan – Bordeaux cellar tasting at Averys (£35)
- Sat 27th Jan – Cheese & Wine Pairing Masterclass (£40)
- Sat 27th Jan – Truffles & pralines class at Zara’s Chocolates (£50)
- Sat 27th Jan – Champagne & Sparkling Wines Masterclass (£45)
- Sun 28th Jan – Fermented Foods Workshop (£125)
- Tue 30th Jan – Wine tasting evening at The Baffled King (£25)
- Tue 30th Jan – Pasta from scratch class at Coexist Community Kitchen (£57)
- Fri 2nd Feb – ’90s Crisp Buffet at Zion Bristol (£10)
New openings
Mowgli has finally opened on Corn Street, and the restaurant is looking very grand! East Bristol Bakery have also opened their third site on Old Market, in what was Assembly Bakery.
As well as running a brewery staffed by people with diverse needs, Props has now set up a cafe, bar and shop in Fishponds – Crafted by Props, to continue the good work they do and showcase the works of their trainees.
The Granary Club cocktail bar has just opened underneath The Granary, and are doing 25% off all drinks when you book a table in December.
Black Cumin has also just opened on Cotham Hill, headed up by Chef Arvind who previously ran the kitchen at Nutmeg.
Coming very soon are the Colonnade restaurant at Bristol Beacon, and Death Disco, a new cocktail bar, nightclub and live music venue from the talented folks who also brought you Hyde & Co, Bambalan and Seven Lucky Gods.
Some other established restaurants have also announced expensions, including Condesa from Season + Taste, and littlefrench opening in former Rosemarino in Clifton.
That’s it for this month, let me know what you’re planning on booking over on Twitter or Threads, see what I’m eating on Instagram or see the latest local food news by following A Life Less Organised on Facebook.
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