Vote now: What’s the best smoking area in Bristol?

Smoking areas are undeniably an underrated part of a night out – everyone ends up there at some point for one reason or another, so it is only fair that we acknowledge them for the goldmines that they are.

Smoker or non-smoker, it offers everybody present an excuse to grab that vital breath of fresh air which can keep you from chundering for another hour or so, or an invitation to some “sick after party” (it’ll never be that good).

People far too often overlook the smoking area as a factor in choosing where to go on a night out, when infact, as you’ll probably spend a good amount of time out there, it’s definitely worth taking into consideration.  At least out there you can actually tell what your mates are saying and some wreckhead isn’t rubbing his back sweat patch all up against you.

But which is actually the best one in our beloved Bristol?

Thekla

A hidden gem, once that kid that’s asked you for a fag three times in a row leaves you alone, you can really take in the vibe that Thekla nails – students spewing on themselves in the corner and cringy, awkward conversations between shy boys and girls. If you’re lucky you’ll get to see some nutter try and climb the mast.

Bunker

Decent, all round good smoking area. You can probably pinch a straight off someone for no more than 50p and they’ll even be polite enough to give you a brief conversation about what they study before you both drop the common courtesies and lose interest.

Often too easy to spend half the night wandering around in here, more of an adventure than anything else.

SWX

before climbing the mast

Probably the worst smoking area. Nobody feels comfortable trapped in that cage and you’ll probably end up talking to some promoter who won’t shut up about getting you tickets to the next event smoking a sterling. Some weirdo will also probably ask you for twos.

Timbuk2

Is this even a smoking area? Free roam of the street is brilliant, especially if you want to run to the shop and down some more tinnies before re-entering, just watch out for that massive bouncer.  Unfortunately, it’s definitely the worst place to be if it’s raining.

Motion

leave me alone mate

Keep your head down, hurry up and smoke your ciggy unless you want some random geezer chatting your nut off for an hour. Also a common place to catch someone spewing over themselves and watch some sketchy looking guy be thrown out being chased by all his mates hurling abuse at the security.

Try not to feel to sorry for the spangled kid walking around on his own seeming to think he’s at work – he did it to himself after all.

Lakota

Some nobhead in a five panel will probably try and charge you a quid for a roll-up and then pull the classic “want me to smoke it for you aswell?” if you ask for a lighter. The hardest place ever to find your friends, and the smell of the dodgy jerk chicken bar overrides any other senses.

SU

Simultaneously the best and worst place you could be. It retains that primary school disco feel – except no one was caning their way through a 50g pack of Amber Leaf at your primary school disco. You’ll probably end up with some photos of people you will never see again and a few with one of the BNOC’s. Someone will probably nick your lighter too.

Ramshackles

Surrounded by groups of lads who are just waiting for Mr.Brightside to come on is never where anyone wants to be. Watch out you don’t stare at anyone for too long or there’ll probably be a bit of a shout off before someone gets dragged out by the stupidly large bouncer team. Also an actual mission to get in and out of.