As winter creeps closer and memories of summer festivals fade away, there are few better ways to enjoy live music than at one of Bristol's many open-mic nights.
You really can't go wrong with a cosy atmosphere, plenty of cushions and, of course, the occasional pint to accompany an evening of great live music - and, as you'd expect, the fiercely independent Gloucester Road has plenty of regular events to keep you entertained during the long winter evenings.
Here are five of its most popular regular open-mic nights:
To see emerging talent: The Gallimaufry
The Gallimaufry hosts open mic nights every Monday evening. This free event is hosted by musician Chuman and boasts George Ezra in its alumnus, setting a great standard for a talent-fuelled local showcase.
The Gallimaufry, 26-28 The Promenade, Gloucester Road, Bristol, BS7 8AL. Mondays, from 8.30pm
To see poetry and spoken word: Halo Café
Open-mic nights aren’t always synonymous with guitars. Halo Café proves this with its sporadic poetry and spoken word nights, Milk. These 'slams' are hosted behind Halo's main room, in a function room space that better resembles a town hall than an independent restaurant.
Halo, 141 Gloucester Road, Bristol, BS7 8BA. Mondays, from 7.30pm
To see alternative acts: The Golden Lion
A well established pub up in Horfield, The Golden Lion has a fast growing reputation on the Bristol music scene.
The Lion's esteemed open-mic nights, Live in the Lion’s Den, are run by local acoustic musician Nuala Honan every Tuesday night.
The Golden Lion, 244 Gloucester Road, Bristol, BS7 8NZ. Tuesdays, 8.30pm
To get rowdy: The Blue Lagoon
Anyone who’s strolled past The Blue Lagoon on a week night will attest that this lot can make a noise.
Celebrating jazz, blues and everything in between, The Blue Lagoon hosts open-mic nights every Tuesday evening, and there are open-jam nights held every third Wednesday of the month.
The Blue Lagoon, The Promenade 20 Gloucester Road, Bristol, BS7 8AE. Tuesdays and every third Wednesday, 8.30pm
To see multicultural acts: Plantation Caribbean Bar and Restaurant
Okay, we're bending the rules slightly as this place is actually just on the Cheltenham Road, but Plantation is too appealing for us to overlook.
Best known for its delicious Caribbean menu, the owners of Plantation are also purveyors of the arts. They put on open-mic nights that celebrate Bristol’s multicultural DNA every Wednesday evening.
Plantation Caribbean Bar & Restaurant, 221-223 Cheltenham Road, Bristol, BS6 5QP. Wednesdays.
Think we've missed something off the list? Let us know below!
Find some of the most popular venues for live music in Bristol.