Dojo’s small size belies its rapidly growing reputation. Home to some of the best names in underground dance music and with the unique attraction of a fully covered outdoor smoking terrace, in recent years Dojo Lounge has become one of Bristol’s very best night time destinations.

The Venue
Behind an inconspicuous single door among the fashionable parade of shops on Park Row hides the Dojo Lounge. This cove of a club has a 250-capacity. It's well air-conditioned and decorated in a Japanese style to match the venue's name with deepest of reds running throughout the colour scheme. Dojo is a brilliant little venue that's only let down by its small bar and tiny toilets – both of which can get heavily crowded.

If it all gets too much you can run outside to the fully covered and comfortable smoking area and this alone set this club apart from the rest of the clubs Bristol has to offer. If you're lucky you might stumble across the gourmet barbecue that's occasionally on offer.

The People
Located on the edge of Clifton, Dojo attracts its fair share of Bristol uni students who mingle among the faithful followers of the club’s cutting-edge promotions and DJ bookings. As a result the crowd is always friendly and never threatening and the compact dancefloor is as crammed full of good vibes as it is sweaty bodies. The outdoor smoking terrace bubbles with conversation, free of interference from the friendly security staff.

The Music
Dojo Lounge hosts one of the best drum and bass nights in the country, every third Friday of the month, in the form of Intrigue. This isn’t the angry men shouting down a microphone over repetitive funfair music that you may imagine. Instead this night is in keeping with its surroundings and is sophisticated, soulful electronic music.

Equally underground and equally respected are Loco, purveyors of the very finest in house, minimal, tech house and techno. They take control of the venue on the first Friday of every month.

The Drink
Drinks are reasonably priced and pretty standard fare with Stella and Fosters on tap for under £3. The efficient bar staff manage to make the cramped and ever busy bar less of an ordeal to negotiate than you may at first expect.

The Last Word
If you’re looking for quality underground electronic music in an intimate, clean and friendly setting then, in Bristol, there isn’t much to compete with Dojo. While it can get a little squashed on the dancefloor there you can always escape to the large outside area.

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