Where to find Chess and bridge in Bristol and Bath: chess and bridge clubs, plus Go, mahjong and backgammon groups.
We list 9 venues where you can play or buy chess, bridge and other classic games across Bristol and Bath, in 2 towns and neighbourhoods. Between them they run 16 regular sessions, most often on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Eight of those are marked as beginner friendly. All of them have tables to play on site. Five of the 9 are in Bristol itself, and we list them first below.
Bristol Independent Gaming (BIG) is a large wargaming shop and gaming venue on Cater Road in south Bristol with bookable tables, private rooms, a food menu and a board game library. It hosts weekly club nights and meetups for Warhammer 40,000, Kill Team and Warcry, regular tournaments, RPG sessions and Blood on the Clocktower on Fridays.
Bridge club running relaxed, friendly duplicate pairs on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at Stoke Bishop Village Hall, for players of all abilities. Players can come without a partner and will be matched with one.
Chess club meeting every Tuesday evening at Bristol Bridge Club in Hotwells, with a room at the rear and use of the bar. It runs teams in Divisions 1 to 6 of the Bristol Chess League, so it suits players of every standard from beginners to International Masters, and newcomers are welcome to watch and play social games.
Go club founded over 50 years ago, meeting every Wednesday evening at Bristol County Sports Club on Colston Street, sometimes in the downstairs snooker room. New players of all levels are welcome, from beginners to dan players.
Chess club meeting on Tuesday evenings at Little Stoke Social Club, with tea and coffee and wheelchair access. It plays in the Bristol & District Chess League and suits league and club players.
Bridge club running face to face duplicate sessions on Tuesday to Friday at Oldfield Old Boys Rugby Club, from Relaxed and Assisted Play sessions for improvers to Open Pairs for stronger players. It also runs beginners' and improvers' courses and welcomes students.
Bridge club playing duplicate bridge on Friday afternoons at Southdown Methodist Church Centre in Bath, in a friendly but competitive atmosphere. The venue is all on the ground floor with on site parking, and the club can help players find a partner.
Chess club based at the Salisbury Club on London Road, Bath, with a bar, tea and coffee and wheelchair access. It fields several teams in the Bristol & District Chess League and has run free coaching sessions, so it suits league players and improvers.
Go club meeting on Tuesday evenings at the Ring O Bells pub in Widcombe, Bath. It suits Go players looking for regular face to face games.
The weekly line-up. Times and formats can change, so check with the venue before you travel.
Bath Bridge Club, Bath. Duplicate pairs, social, 24 boards
Friendly Bridge SW, Bristol. Duplicate pairs, relaxed
Bath Bridge Club, Bath. Duplicate pairs, open, 26 to 27 boards
Bristol & Clifton Chess Club, Bristol. Club night with league matches and social games
North Bristol Chess Club, Bristol. Club night with league matches
Bath Bridge Club, Bath. Supported learning session for improvers, 14 boards
Bristol Independent Gaming, Bristol. Junior club
Bristol Go Club, Bristol. Club night, casual and rated games
Bath Bridge Club, Bath. Duplicate pairs, social with a competitive edge, 24 boards
Bristol Independent Gaming, Bristol. Club night with league matches, friendly games and club tournaments
Bath Chess Club, Bath. Club night with league matches
Bath Bridge Club, Bath. Duplicate pairs, relaxed, up to 20 boards
Friendly Bridge SW, Bristol. Duplicate pairs, relaxed
Bath Bridge Club, Bath. Duplicate pairs, open, 24 boards
Avonside Bridge Club, Bath. Duplicate pairs
The venues with the most regular nights are Bath Bridge Club in Bath (6 nights), Bristol Independent Gaming in Bristol (2 nights) and Friendly Bridge SW in Bristol (2 nights). We list 9 venues in all across Bristol and Bath.
Tuesdays and Wednesdays have the most regular sessions. 16 sessions run every week. The Bristol calendar shows what's on from today.
Yes. Eight regular nights are marked as welcoming new players, including sessions at Bristol & Clifton Chess Club, Bristol Independent Gaming and Bristol Go Club. Staff at most venues are happy to teach, so mention it when you arrive.
One regular night is free to join. Where there's an entry fee it is usually between £4 and £5. Fees change, so check with the venue before you go.
A free weekly email of what's on in your area: tournaments, pre-releases, launch events and new regular nights. Plus a monthly round-up of new shops, clubs and game releases.
