Hobby groups in Bristol
Below you'll find every hobby group we know of in Bristol, as well as people looking to join one.
HOARD Community
Gaming group
HOARD is a tabletop gaming community space, cafe and bar in Bristol. It uses its meetup group to connect with current and new members, and it runs events such as one-off D&D games, board game socials, life drawing and supper clubs. It also shares openings for people to join regular gaming sessions.
Sign in to contactBS5 - Play More Board Game Cafe
Gaming group
This Bristol group meets at Play More Board Game Cafe on Church Road for relaxed board gaming and socialising. It offers a calm, alcohol-free setting where people can play at their own pace, join a table when ready, or just observe. The listing says it welcomes geeks, introverts, LGBTQ+ people, neurodivergent people, socially anxious adults and newcomers to the city.
Sign in to contactBristol Board Games Meetup
Gaming group
Bristol Board Games Meetup runs board game evenings across Bristol on a weekly and monthly basis, with occasional special events. It welcomes people at all levels, from newcomers to experienced players, and also mentions space for longer strategy games through organised private events. The listing notes a range of regular nights in different parts of the city, including South Bristol, Fishponds, Old Market, Inn on the Green and Area 51.
Sign in to contactBristol Board Game Socials @Replay
Gaming group
Bristol Board Game Socials runs board game meet-ups at RePlay Bristol Board Game Cafe and Event Space in Bristol. It offers social nights, themed sessions and co-operative game challenges, with a range of games from quick rounds to longer adventures. The group says it caters for different skill levels and aims to help people meet and play in a relaxed setting.
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Bristol Book Gang
Book club
This Bristol book group meets to pick a title for the next meeting and then talks about it over a drink or meal. It usually meets in a pub, but sometimes changes venue for themed evenings or a cinema visit linked to the book. The group reads a range of fiction from around the world, keeps choices fairly short, and does not charge for meetings.
Sign in to contactUtopian Book Collective
Book club
Utopian Book Collective is a Bristol book group that meets in central Bristol on the first Monday of every month. It discusses a different book each time, often with a social drink afterwards, and members choose the next month's title together. The group has no set hierarchy and decisions can be made by turn or through discussion.
Sign in to contactBristol Nature Book Club
Book club
Bristol Nature Book Club is a reading group that looks at people’s relationship with nature from different angles. It meets about every six weeks in libraries across Bristol, with the next meeting at Henleaze Library on Wednesday 4 November from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. Copies of the next book are given out at meetings, and missed reads can be reserved free through Libraries West.
Sign in to contactThe Bristol Book Club
Book club
The Bristol Book Club is a friendly group in Bristol for people who want to meet up to discuss books they have read, as well as topics linked to writing and literature. The listing does not give meeting times or any cost.
Sign in to contactBristol Drink and Draw
Sketching & art
Bristol Drink and Draw is a free, informal meet-up for people who want to spend a couple of hours sketching, doodling and making art while having a drink. It takes place in Bristol and welcomes people to come alone or with a friend. No drawing experience is needed, and participants can bring whatever art materials they prefer, with prompts provided for anyone who wants ideas.
Sign in to contactLanguage Learners Community
Language exchange
This is a new Bristol-based language exchange group for people who want to study languages together and share learning methods. It plans to run regular co-studying sessions on Zoom, with more events to follow later. The group is aimed at language learners and focuses on self-directed learning and staying accountable.
Sign in to contactPortuguese Speaking Club
Language exchange
This Bristol Portuguese speaking club runs conversation meetups for people who want to practise the language, socialise and meet other learners. Sessions may take place on weeknights or at weekends, either in person or online, and the format can include free chat, guided discussion, games, quizzes or picnics. It welcomes beginners through to fluent speakers, and the listing says donations are appreciated to help cover the running cost.
Sign in to contactEmmanuel English Conversation Café
Language exchange
Emmanuel English Conversation Café in Bristol offers a friendly place for people who want to practise English, meet others and enjoy conversation. It is run by Emmanuel Church and says it is especially welcoming for those whose home country is not the UK. No meeting times or costs are given.
Sign in to contactJapanese language and cultural exchange
Language exchange
A social group in Bristol for English and Japanese cultural exchange, where members practise speaking either language with one another. It is aimed at people who want to develop their Japanese or English through conversation. The listing notes that more people attend than the app currently shows.
Sign in to contactBristol Italian/English Language Exchange
Language exchange
This Bristol group brings together Italian and English speakers who want to practise both languages and improve their skills through conversation. It meets weekly for a language exchange and a chance to meet new people. The listing does not mention any cost or specific venue.
Sign in to contactBristol International Friends and Locals
Language exchange
This Bristol group brings together local people and international residents for language exchange. It meets every Thursday in Bristol.
Sign in to contactBristol Spanish Intercambio: Language Exchange
Language exchange
This Bristol language exchange brings people together to practise Spanish, English or both while socialising and chatting with others. Participants are encouraged to swap between the two languages regularly so everyone gets a chance to practise. The events are free to attend, although voluntary donations may be made to help cover the group’s Meetup costs.
Sign in to contactConcrete Jungle Green Thumb Social Club
Gardening
This Bristol-based gardening group brings together city residents who enjoy growing plants, whether on balconies, indoors or in a community garden. Its informal meet-ups focus on sharing tips, swapping cuttings and working through common container gardening issues, and they sometimes arrange visits to local nurseries or plant swaps. It is open to people of all experience levels.
Sign in to contactKadampa Meditation Centre Bristol- Branches
Meditation
Kadampa Meditation Centre Bristol- Branches offers guided meditation classes aimed at helping people develop greater calm and clarity, with the group also describing benefits such as reduced stress and better relationships. Sessions are available at the Bristol centre and in local areas including Chepstow, Clevedon, Chippenham, Thornbury and Weston-Super-Mare. It is set up to help people connect with classes near where they live.
Sign in to contactFree Meditation & Yoga Bristol
Meditation
This Bristol group offers free Sahaja Yoga meditation classes, with sessions that usually involve sitting on chairs rather than using mats. It says no special clothing is needed, and the meetings include talks, videos, practical workshops and questions and answers. The classes are aimed at people who want to learn a simple meditation method and reach a genuine meditative state.
Sign in to contactSakya Buddhism Bristol Meetup
Meditation
This Bristol-based group offers Buddhist meditation sessions in a relaxed, friendly setting, with introductions to tranquillity meditation led by experienced practitioners. It is open to anyone interested in Buddhism or simply wanting to try meditation, and no booking is needed. It also runs Discover Buddhism classes, which combine meditation with a talk on a key Buddhist topic and time for questions and discussion.
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