Looking for a cheeky Rizla? Ranking eight smoking areas at our favourite Bristol clubs

Looking for a lighter or a Rizla is an issue half of Bristol Uni’s population face. Some of us act like parasites with our mates’ pouches, whilst others end up flirting with half the club for a cheeky little straight.

Even if you don’t smoke, we all need some fresh air after enduring the sweaty depths of the dancefloor; it’s just a shame La Rocca’s idea of fresh air is one square metre and a staircase. So, here’s a ranking of the worst to best smoking areas in our favourite student spots.

La Rocca

Also known as claustrophobic hell, the smoking area of La Rocca has you feeling constantly confused as you fumble around to sit at the top of the staircase before you’re told to fuck off and shoved down to the sopping-wet benches. After getting pushed left, right and centre while trying not to drop your drink and run into every situationship whilst dancing, the smoking area will have you crying in a damp, unlit, corner as you chug four VKs for a tenner.

The Crofter’s Rights

This smoking area is a myth, it is literally just on the scary side of Gloucester Road. No cigs can even be enjoyed here, mainly as you live in fear that your pint by the door is going to get stolen as the bouncer rages at you for going back in the wrong way.

Mbargo and Lizard Lounge

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Similarly to Crofters, the smoking area is what we call a pavement. These Triangle smoking areas are only saved by being the perfect people-watching spots for nighttime antics, as princesses or Magic Mikes dash off to bigger and better things. Trying not to fall over the barriers when you see your long-lost bestie from Freshers’ is an Olympic sport.

OMG

Running out to the pillars during the middle of the strip show is a saving grace after you’ve seen enough men in this club getting their kit off for a hoover or toaster that will instantly break. Even if you’re fighting off the balloon men attempting to make a profit, at least you’re slightly warmer as you watch everyone firm the queue and fumble to get up the OMG app.

Motion

The world is your oyster at Motion, as it is literally impossible to fill this smoking area (no more being herded in like sheep at La Rocca). Having picnic benches scattered around, you can actually take a breather and debrief with your mates whether the Jägerbombs are actually worth it (they’re not). One major issue with this smoking area is the Motion vape squad forcing you to sign up for a free vape that is guaranteed to taste like a combination of battery acid and vomit – resist the temptation.

Brass Pig

Heaters and a balcony: What more could you ask for? Queuing for the toilets will make you contemplate running away to Mbargos to pee, but walking out onto the balcony brings you back to first year (whether for better or for worse). Everyone you’ve ever gossiped with on the U1 will appear automatically in this space. Depending on how gone you are, chucking plastic cups off the edge at the one awful Hinge boy can either be hilarious or the most embarrassing thing you ever do at uni. Despite the Christmas fire, I’ll still spawn in on that balcony purely to gossip and hide from people trying to get me to go to Gravity.

Thekla

Riverside accommodation, you know all about this one.  The people you meet in it are not real, they have to be ChatGPT-designed NPCs. Love them or hate them, you’ll be wetting yourself with laughter when a leather jacket-wearing vinted-fiend appears, ready to steal a cigarette. Somehow you’ll end up beefing the Rock Society from the top deck about your favourite song by The Cure, but it is this randomness of the Thekla smokers area which makes it one of the best. Not even torrential rain could ruin the chaos of running back and forth for songs on the bottom deck, followed by two hours of yapping and flirting with some of the most insufferable people alive. You then end the night on a high, clambering across City Centre to Sirin’s Kebab.

Mr Wolfs

Mr Wolfs has to take first place. Every day I wish I was at Dot to Dot Festival in the Summer because chilling in this courtyard and balcony is basically free therapy. Jazz blasting everywhere, as you dash upstairs, the most perfectly crafted environment to chat awaits. Having a jazz band soundtrack your decision to grab a pizza and a pint makes you forget for a minute that you have an assignment due in 24 hours. You can keep grooving until you realise the band has gone at 12am, or if you’re feeling crazy, dance with the bar staff until the 4am close.

Related stories recommended by this writer:

• What your night out in Bristol will look like, based on what you play at predrinks
• Meet the three Bristol students bringing decent tunes back to The Triangle
• A Bristol student’s guide to cigar-etiquette and who you should share a smoke with