Bristol began as a port city, a hub for sailors and merchants with exotic delights on their minds. These days, when people talk about the harbor, they’re generally referring to our surplus of enjoyable bars and restaurants. You’ll still find people looking for exotic treats there. They’re just hoping those treats come in the form of cool hookups in Bristol.
This has always been a city of comers and goers, people in transit for one reason or another. For that reason, getting laid has meant knowing where the crowds gather. There is no shortage of hookup bars in Bristol, but they’re mixed in with dozens of duds. Similarly, the Bristol hookup sites and apps are more miss than hit these days.
Our experience tells us a hookup is never far away. That’s true whether you’re in the middle of everything in Stokes Croft or out in Shirehampton. You just need to know the best Bristol hookup bars, sites and apps. As it so happens, we and some local experts worked together to craft such a list, and you’re reading it.
We live in a city of nearly 600,000 people, not some tiny village like Mells. Never settle for a lonely night at home. Keep reading and let us know in the comments how our suggestions work out for you.
Table of Contents
Our favorite spots to find Bristol hookups
When your only priority is riding a sexy stranger, you want to cut to the chase. That’s just what we’re doing with these unbeatable Bristol hookup sites, apps and bars.
AFF has been Bristol's best hookup app (try it free)
We know a thing or two about good hookup sites. It’s kind of an obsession with us. That’s why we put together a yearly ranking of the top hookup apps and sites. We can say we enjoy a good niche site as much as the next person but at the end of the day, though, no site tops AFF for variety and the sheer number of Bristol hookups.
So many hookups are starting online now. You really can't avoid being on at least one app. For single guys, and the 60 million people already using it, AFF is the best option out there right now. It's really popular in Bristol and it's where we've been seeing guys get the best results.
When you're looking to make the most of your time and money (and actually hookup) AFF is where it's at!
Like we said, there are lots of options out there. Most, like popular competition Tinder, appeal to a very select clientele. AFF is for everyone. If you’re not a fashion model or you’re not super young, you can still hook up. If you haven't given their free trial below a shot it's worth doing it. Stop missing out on all the fun that starts online!
The Milk Thistle might be the best way to find hookups in Bristol (all four floors)
@TheMilkThistle
Despite the fact that we never had prohibition like our stateside cousins, the speakeasy is having a huge moment here. Such bars are popping up all over Bristol, most of which are just. . . fine. Of the limited top tier, the four-story Milk Thistle has to be in the running for the best - both to get drunk and find great hookups in Bristol.
Located in the old city, The Milk Thistle is where you go if you can truly appreciate a cocktail. They take mixology very seriously here, and it shows in every amazing drink. The bustling crowds here are sexy and which makes it a good venue to get laid in Bristol.
The best Bristol pickup bars we've tried
Here are some of the best pickup bars that we believe will get you laid in Bristol
Her Majesty’s Secret Service dutifully provides a unique night out
@HMSSbar
Over on Whiteladies Road, you’ll find one of the quirkiest Bristol hookup bars around. Her Majesty’s Secret Service is an anglophile’s delight, not to mention a repository for all things British. Some people might not want Winston Churchill staring down on them during a date, and those people would be wrong.
It seems like each cocktail at HMSS is more elaborate and dazzling than the next. It makes for a breezy, entertaining drinking experience and a great vibe for Bristol hookups. Whether you’re local or visiting, this is a bar for meeting great, fun women and getting laid in Bristol.
Red Light gives you the green light
@redlightbristol
Not all Bristol hookup bars will beckon you with a neon light promising “Sex”. Actually, now that we think about it, only one does: Red Light. This stylish throwback bar on Unity Street is, in their words, an “adult drinking den”, and they do mean adult. Similar to the Milk Thistle, Red Light is a place for those in the know.
To be let in, you call from a public telephone near the entrance. Once inside, you’ll feel like you’re in a seedy brothel. Don’t let that scare you out of going; we really mean it in the best possible way. The cocktails are intricately crafted and the seating is cozy. If you can find your way here, a night of sex is all but assured. They couldn’t put it on the sign if it weren’t true.
Loose Cannon is the newest Bristol hookup bar
@loosecannon_bristol
Found right off Millennium Square, Loose Cannon is one of the youngest bars in Bristol. Like the city’s other great cocktail bars, these guys put a ton of effort and care into their mixed drinks. You won’t be drinking anything with store-bought mixers. Don’t worry if you’re not a cocktail drinker, either, because they’ve got excellent craft beers on tap.
Since Loose Cannon hasn’t been open long, it hasn’t yet earned the widespread reputation of other Bristol hookup bars. We have to imagine that will quickly change. This is easily one of the best places to grab a casual but well-made drink in the city. We especially enjoy their patio seating, a rarity among cocktail lounges. We suggest becoming a regular before this place gets huge.
The hookup apps in Bristol dating coaches prefer
A huge number of hookups start online now. You don't have spend all day on the apps but spending 10-20 minutes a week sending messages can really pay off. These are the best hookup apps in the city right now:
| Site | Our Experience | Our Rating | Free Trial Link |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Hookup Site Right Now  | Experience Highlights
| 9 | Try AFF For Free |
Great If You're Handsome  | Tinder Highlights
| 8 | Try Tinder |
2nd Best For Most Guys  | Experience Highlights
| 8 | Try Passion |
The best clubs for finding hookups in Bristol
There aren't many great clubs in this city, but the ones we found are loaded with great Bristol hookups and are really worth your time.
Lakota - The place where Bristol hookups gather
“We promise the most inclusive atmosphere in Bristol’s most exclusive club”… That’s what they say at the venue. If you’re anywhere close to Stokes Croft, then you should check this club named "Lakota".
The old adage says that people who have fun together flock together, and that’s true about Lakota. A buzzing club that is always stacked with hot city girls looking for some fun, and maybe find great hookups in Bristol. You come here to dance, dine, and hopefully leave with the perfect stranger. That’s typical old school clubbing.
Thekla - Clubbing on a boat...Why not?
A club with great music and lots of girls is good…but what about a boat in one of the oldest port cities in the country?
Yes, this two-storey venue is located on a boat and holds some of the best live events in Bristol. It’s quite small and always full which means you have to get early, but the experience is worth it. Even if you don’t feel like dancing, you can chill with a beer and enjoy the river view, and hopefully, a nice Bristol hookup.
Best places to meet sexy Bristol girls during the day
We don’t believe anyone has ever had too much sex. That’s why we’ve got a few day options to make your Bristol hookups easier to find.
Playground Coffee sells our other favourite drink
@playgroundcoffeehouse
A coffee house is an underrated place for Bristol hookups. With their cosy seating, intimate atmosphere and calming vibe, meeting someone new is a pleasure. A café can also be a nice break from the crowds and loud music of the pub. That’s why, when we’re looking for a pick-me-up and a chance to "pick up" locals looking for hookups, we head to Playground Coffee.
This Nicholas Street coffee house is the perfect example of how to make a café feel unique but welcoming. The seating is a mix of wooden benches, raised counters and actual swings. It’s the kind of backdrop that makes you want to stick around and have a conversation. It’s just a bonus that they’re purveyors of some of the best espresso-based drinks in Bristol.
Stokes Croft Beer Garden is the best way to drink beer all day
stokescroftbeergarden.co.uk
You like to drink beer, don’t you? And surely you know to take advantage of the sunshine when it shows up. So why wouldn’t you spend a weekend afternoon at Stokes Croft Beer Garden? We can’t think of a better way to get a beer buzz and mingle with attractive people. With outdoor space for 150 people and a wide selection of drinks (not just beer), it’s everything you could want.
The beer garden is a fantastic alternative to a pub or cocktail lounge. You can still get a tasty drink without feeling confined in a stuffy bar. Plus, it’s a great way to make the most of the limited sunny days we get. It’s basically impossible to be in a bad mood in a beer garden. All the more reason to come by and see who’s down for hooking up.
Other great spots to get laid in Bristol
Order in, fold your tux and grab your phone. It's time for some fun with Tinder.
Tinder is another solid app
Our readers at the University of Bristol and UWE already know all about Tinder. How could they not? There aren’t any other Bristol hookup apps that have gained even a fraction of its reputation. At this point, your parents have probably asked if you’ve used “the Tinder.” It’s so massive, everyone has heard of it.
Tinder is the hookup app that’s made the biggest impact among Millennials. A few years ago, everyone was using the app and couldn’t stop talking about it. And then, one day, something changed. Suddenly, even the single Millennials stopped enjoying Tinder. The reason for that is simple: Tinder is a young man’s (and woman’s) game.
Users of Tinder who get the most action all fall in the 18-28 range. Likewise, they’re also all super attractive. Like, annoyingly so. For men, if you aren’t in the top 10-15% of looks, you’ll be swiping through so many lonely nights. Even if you do match with a sexy lady, she might not respond. The hottest women on Tinder rarely use the app to hook up; they just enjoy the compliments. Still, you’ll find plenty of other very attractive women on the app. For women, even being remotely good-looking means getting a deluge of messages.
At the end of the day, if you’re hot, Tinder remains the easiest portal to get laid in Bristol. The makers behind the app are trying to rebrand as a relationship-style app, but we doubt that’ll change anything. Tinder is a hookup app for the young and sexy.
Map of all the best options to find hookups we covered
If you really want to get the best results finding a hookup in Bristol you need to be smart about how you're spending your time. One of the best ways to improve your results is by checking out multiple different venues each night in order to find which spot is really popular on that particular night. We've put our recommendations into the map below that will help make a plan:
FAQs about Hookups in Bristol
Is Thursday dating app in Bristol?
Yes, Thursday is available in Bristol. But if you really want a chance at hooking up here, your best bet is AFF.
How can I meet singles in my area?
Bars like The Milk Thistle and Red Light are popular hotspots for singles. Hookup apps like AFF, however, are ideal for meeting them online.
How do I meet single people UK?
Your neighborhood dive bar or nightclub should be full of singles. Barring that, a hookup site like AFF is always full of singles looking for some fun.
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