The excitingly designed Harbourside concert hall by architects Behnisch & Partners was set to do for Bristol what the Guggenheim had done for Bilbao. A shameful Arts Council decision cut the funding and the project has never been revived. With this turn of events At-Bristol, with its stunning all-reflective planetarium, became the centrepiece of the Harbourside development. The centre mixes art, science and nature. It includes an Imax cinema, the interactive 'Explore' science museum and 'Wildwalk', a walk through a living section of rainforest.

Harbourside, BS1 5DB;
tel: 0845 345 1235;
www.at-bristol.org.uk

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Cinema housed in former industrial premises with 3 screens showing the best in independent and foreign film. The programme is persistently strong and it plays host to a number of film festivals throughout the year, including the widely praised Brief Encounters short film festival. If film isn't your thing then the Watershed has a superb Cafe/Bar and free wireless connection for laptop boffins.

1 Canon's Road,
Harbourside BS1 5TX
www.watershed.co.uk
www.dshed.net

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Dockside contemporary art centre built into a 19th century warehouse. Attached to the galleries is a cinema and an impressively stocked specialist bookshop. The provocative cafe bar, designed by artist Bruce McLean, has seating outdoors perfect for summertime. Next to the outdoor seating is a sculpture of Italian explorer John Cabot looking longingly to the harbour's exit and out to the sea beyond.

16 Narrow Quay BS1 4QA
www.arnolfini.org.uk

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Friendly family-run cinema in the north Bristol burbs. Attracts a diverse crowd of locals and students with reasonable entrance prices and by showing a mixture of mainstream and independent cinema. For those who prefer not to drive to an anonymous retail village for their film fix.

Northumbria Drive, Henleaze, Bristol BS9 4HN
tel: 0845 166 2381
www.reeltime-cinemas.co.uk/bristol.php

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

There's a DIY spirit down at the Cube. Their programme of film, art and music is left-field and reliably on the money. On sale at the bar is their own brand of homemade Cube-Cola along with 'feral' trade sweets from Iran and coffee from El Salvador. A Bristol treasure.

Dove Street South, off King Square, Stokes Croft
www.cubecinema.com

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends