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What a beautiful day - the river of water running down stokescroft, getting splashed by cars and turbo island's most recent burnt sofa's dying embers hissing in the rain...
And people say Cornwall's a nice place to live, eh? They just don't appreciate concrete and building works.
Now, on to some important news.
You need to go on a date this week. Why? Because it's cold and dark and miserable and you need to get out the house to stop feeling melancholy.
The good news is there's more events on than there is food at Za Za Bazaar.
Here's what's worth braving the rain for in Bristol this week:
Monday 26 Oct
Life Drawing + Social
The Grain Barge, Mardyke Wharf, Hotwells Road, Bristol BS8 4RU · £10pp
Two hours sketching on a boat with illustrator Laurel Molly, then drinks after to keep the conversation going. No experience needed, and you both leave with something to show for the evening.
Purdie Life Drawing
Artist Residence Bristol · £10pp
A friendly Monday-evening life drawing class where you can actually sketch and chat. Easy, creative, and about as cheap as a night out gets.
ACOTAR 6 Midnight Launch Party
The BookCellar · £12pp
For the Sarah J. Maas obsessives: a proper midnight launch for the sixth ACOTAR book. One for the couple who reads, or who'll happily keep each other company till midnight.
Tuesday 27 Oct
5-Course 'British Classics' Dinner & Halo Wines Pairing at One Fish Street
One Fish Street, 17 Chandos Road, Redland, Bristol · £75pp
Five British small plates, each paired to a sustainable wine and talked through as you go. The kind of slow, proper dinner you don't rush, and a good excuse to make a real night of it.
The History & Folklore of Cats
Hen & Chicken
How cats wound their way through myth, superstition and history. Pleasingly witchy fodder for Halloween week, with a drink in hand and the pub downstairs.
The Kenny Pub Quiz
Kensington Arms · £2pp
A proper neighbourhood pub quiz with burgers and drinks for two quid each. Low stakes, a bit of friendly competition, and one of the last before they break for winter.
Wednesday 28 Oct
Fermentation Fundamentals: Hot Sauce Edition
Wiper and True Taproom, Unit 11, City Business Park, Bristol BS5 0SP · £25pp
Make a jar of your own fermented hot sauce together in the taproom, pint in hand. You leave with something you actually made, and a reason to cook for each other this month.
Horror Panel Discussion with Local Authors
The BookCellar · £10pp
Local horror authors talk craft and scares, just in time for Halloween. A bookish, atmospheric midweek night for anyone who likes their dates with a little dread.
Thursday 29 Oct
The Secret Life of Colour – Late Night Opening
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery · £17pp
The museum after dark: local DJs, a drink in hand, and materials out to sketch your way from Pop Art to Pointillism. A gallery date with none of the hush.
Tarot Card Reading Evening at Clifton Observatory
Clifton Observatory, Clifton · £45pp
A personal tarot reading, cocktails on the rooftop with the views, canapés, and a candlelit cave to explore in a 260-year-old landmark. Spooky-season date night with a proper sense of occasion.
Friday 30 Oct
House of Spirits
Milk Thistle · £25pp
A darkly decadent evening at the Milk Thistle, with an invisible circus turning up where you least expect it. Gothic glamour encouraged, so dress the part and lean right in.
Mal De Puerco - October Collab
Mercy Mercy Mercy · Free
Free entry, Mexican food, and music with friends. An easy, low-key Friday where the only plan is good food and good company.
Saturday 31 Oct
A Haunting in Venice | Halloween Supper Club
Castle Farm, Midford · £60pp
An Agatha Christie-inspired Halloween supper club: four haunting Venetian courses by candlelight, out at Castle Farm. The big-swing date of the week, if you're going to do Halloween properly.
Birria Tacos, Soft Serve & Beers
The Kiosk
Confit duck birria tacos with grape and chipotle hot sauce, soft serve to finish, and beers alongside. A low-effort, high-reward Saturday feed from Holts and Soft Boys.
Sunday 1 Nov
Beats & Caffeine
Clubhaus Harbourside · £16.5pp
A daytime coffee rave: proper espresso, a DJ, and dancing before lunch. A sober-curious Sunday date that's far more fun than it has any right to be.
Dog Life Drawing
Wiper and True, Old Market, Bristol · £12pp
Life drawing, but the models are very good boys. Sketch some dogs, have a pint, pet everything between poses. Exactly as wholesome as it sounds.
What's new at Nook
We've been busy this week. Three things worth knowing about:
Bigger photos, everywhere
We were cropping the life out of every listing. Not any more — you now see the whole photo, on the app and the site. Turns out places look a lot better when you can actually see them.
A proper Places tab
Fancy a food date? Open Places and they're all there, sorted into eat, drink, outdoorsy, culture and wellbeing. Browse by mood, not by scrolling forever.
Save your dates
Make a free account on the site, tap the heart on anything you like, and we'll start suggesting dates you'll both love. Ten seconds, no card.
Right, that's your lot. Now go and book something.
Big love, Jack & Holly
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