Rush Bristol

You'll find this spot tucked into Baldwin Street's cluster of late-night venues, but don't let the location fool you into thinking it's just another student magnet. The sound system here is properly dialled in – none of that muddy bass that leaves your ears ringing for days – and the lighting setup actually complements the music rather than fighting against it. Weekends bring a crowd that's refreshingly mixed: twenty-somethings who've graduated beyond sticky-floor pubs, plus a sprinkling of older heads who appreciate decent house and techno. The bar staff move with purpose, even when it's three-deep, and they know their way around something stronger than a vodka-Red Bull if you're inclined to ask.