Bristol 2026

Bristol, UK · March 2026

Sixteen guys in Bristol in March: Banksy, bowling at The Lanes, dinner at the Cosy Club and a proper roast.

The group strolls along the harbourside past the dockside cranes.

The plan

Bristol was the first weekend of 2026. Chris sent everyone an itinerary beforehand and said it had taken "lots of thinking to put this plan together". He hoped it would be a mix of "fun, chill, chats, and good value". Some food and drink was included and marked as such; the rest was up to each guest. Everything was optional, and anyone could message him privately at any point.

Sixteen guys came for the Saturday. Some had been on weekends before.

A group walks beneath a towering dockside crane on the harbourside.
A tall ship's masts rise against a grey Bristol sky.

Friday

For those who had the Friday add-on, it was a gentle start: Rick's, a bar on the waterfront, with the first drink included. Then a night-time wander round the city, and off to get ready for Saturday.

Bristol Cathedral's gothic towers rise over an empty square.
A quiet, rain-slicked cobblestone street in Bristol.

Saturday

"Now the NSGW really begins," was how Chris's itinerary put it. The day started at noon with coffee, pastries and icebreakers in Museum Square.

Then an informal tour of Bristol and its Banksys. The itinerary promised loads of photo opportunities, interesting facts and getting the steps in, "and really it's just a way to get to know each other." There was a stop at a pub along the way, included. Lunch was at St Nicholas Market, everyone choosing their own from the stalls.

At half four came the bowling: a full hour and three lanes at The Lanes, to find the NSGW bowling champion. "Who needs the Winter Olympics?" Whether you played with barriers, the dinosaur ramp or freestyle, the itinerary said, it was all about taking part. Not everyone was convinced beforehand.

"We went bowling, and there was lots of fear around the bowling before we started, but actually they loved it. I think it's just the fear of failing."

Chris, on Better Gay Dating

After a break, dinner was at the Cosy Club, with the set menu included. The plan after that was drinks on King Street, "where the locals go", for anyone who wanted to see out the night.

The whole group gathers for a photo at the bowling alley.
A wet street glistens under streetlight on a rainy Bristol night.

Sunday

Sunday was planned to be "a little bit more chill so you can take the time to get to know each other more". The Tobacco Factory Market was there for anyone up early. At noon the group met for coffee and went into Bristol Museum.

Lunch was a roast at Brown's. Chris "couldn't help but organise a proper roast", having missed one in Spain. The plan for lunch was to spend some time sharing what everyone had enjoyed and got from the weekend, and that was the end of the organised part.

It finished with farewell hugs, which made it into a short video on TikTok.

The group gathers on a bridge overlooking the harbour by day.
A long line of the group stands before a mural-covered wall.

What people said

"Relaxed, real, funny. You have created something very special. Each weekend will have its own moments. That is what life should be about."

A guest

"I really enjoyed getting to know everyone. People were so warm and kind which made the whole weekend really special. I loved how relaxed it was. There were plenty of fun things to do but it never felt overly structured."

A guest

"I was so close to not coming just because of my social anxiety levels but I am really glad I did."

A guest

In pictures

A Banksy piece set into a weathered brick wall.
Visitors lean over a railing to view a piece of street art.
A guest gives a thumbs up beside a Guinness barrel table.
Two friends smile close together on a Bristol street.
A guest shows off a new anchor tattoo at the bowling alley.
Two friends wrestle playfully at the bowling alley.
Two friends pose together at a warmly lit dinner table.
A guest holds a toy dinosaur and a market bag on a shopping street.
A toasted sandwich, freshly cut, held up in a takeaway box.
Friends cheers over pints at a pub garden table.
Two friends share a warm hug inside a shop, others looking on.
The group poses beside the branded backdrop near a Bristol mural.

16 attendees

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