Bristol's worst kept secret

It’s Thursday night. You tell yourself you’ll keep it chill. And then somehow, you’re in a queue that snakes along the harbourside, surrounded by students, glitter, and questionable life choices. Welcome to Thursdays on the boat.

Moored on Bristol’s Floating Harbour, Thekla isn’t your average venue—it’s a full-on nightclub on a cargo ship. Below deck, it’s loud, packed, and unapologetically indie. Think sweat, strobe lights, and a playlist that flips from The Strokes to Arctic Monkeys before you’ve finished your double vodka mixer.

The crowd’s chaos in motion. The toilets double as social clubs, with the occasional run-in with Calvin Klein. Just make sure you’re keeping one eye on the bouncers.

It’s messy, it’s noisy, and it’s probably not the night your mum wants to hear about. But if you’re after wall-to-wall energy, big tunes, and the full-blown Bristol uni experience, this is where it happens.

Just don’t wear white. And maybe start queuing early.