FOOD&DRINK

There’s a year-round festival feel at Bristol’s Big Chill Bar, the only one of its kind outside of London. Enter to find wide padded benches perfect for lazy afternoon lounging leading to a chunkily furnished dining area bringing a backstage vibe. The upstairs ‘study room’ (which hosts 30ths, 40ths, quizzes etc) boasts some eclectic décor while the garden lets you linger long outdoors.

Expect an enhanced experience; friendly staff and management serve sumptuous burgers for which you’d readily queue for hours even though they arrive in minutes. Venue’s Portobello beauty towers like a Scooby Snack, evincing the light-hearted mood by day and night here. The camembert provides a hit so intense it ought to be illegal; grab a soda or sparkling mineral water and you’ll be sorted for cheese and fizz.

Entrance is always free, even with leading DJs like Norman Jay, Bez, DJ Derek and Queen Bee at the decks: Massive Attack’s Daddy G spins come Saturday (26 Mar). Students get a Wednesday drink discount.

The Big Chill Bar brings a weekend on-site to the city with no wellies required. Outstanding in its field? You’re not, it is. (Words Simon Fry; pics Mark Simmons)

The information

Lager Amstel, Budvar, Sagres. From £3.40.

Beer Gem, Barnstormer. £3.70.

Cider Symonds, Green Goblin. From £3.40.

Wine Four red, four white. From: £3.75 gls/£14 btl.

Food Served daily 12noon-9pm. Home-cooked gourmet burgers & sides. Beef burgers: Big Blue/Mexican £7, chicken breast burgers Poulet/Kahuna £7, breaded haddock fillet burger Catch £6.50. Nachos £4.75, crispy baby squid £4.75.  

Offers Half-price burgers Mon-Fri 12noon-3pm & 5-7pm until end of March. New offers monthly.

BIG CHILL BAR 15 SMALL ST, BRISTOL, BS1 1DE, TEL: 0117 930 4217, WEB: WWW.BIGCHILL.NET OPEN SUN-WED 12NOON-12MIDNIGHT, THUR 12NOON-1AM, FRI-SAT 12NOON-3AM.
 

Copyright Simon Fry 2011; pics copyright Mark Simmons Photography

Tweet