The Arnolfini
16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA
The building that houses Bristol’s top modern art gallery is a former Grade II-listed tea warehouse, showing again how Bristol’s mercantile history has been reinvented to create something new. It’s one of the buzziest places around in the summer, when its groovy café has queues out of the door and offers beanbags so its customers can sit outside by the water in the sun. The galleries themselves show edgy modern art with an emphasis on touring exhibitions and installations. Ask any Bristolian and you’ll get the same response – it’s a great space, and everyone loves the café and shop, but the art itself can be hit-and-miss. Alongside the gallery, there’s also a cinema and a programme of events. The Arnolfini is a key part of Bristol’s cultural life.
