Watershed Media Centre

I’ve recently moved here from Newcastle upon Tyne and had been previously spoiled by having the Tyneside Cinema within reach. Hoped there would be something similar down here and think I’ve found it.

There’s a great array of films, from totally independent to a bit more mainstream, all sorts of stuff going on and a lovely cafe bar where we ate a few weeks ago. Just a small point though – although the food itself was great, the service was ‘interesting’, with the food ordered for our party of four arriving in dribs and drabs over the next half hour, so that one or two of us had actually finished eating before the rest of the food had even arrived. When we mentioned it, it was blamed on a new chef. Hope they sort it out!

Anyway, that being a relatively minor complaint, we will be going back there as it seemed like a fab, locally sourced menu..

Good place for an interesting film and a chat with companions afterward. The cafe and bar serve great food - and were packed to the rafters on a Sunday afternoon.

Bar was very well stocked, serving an interesting selection of beers, wines, spirits and lots of juices, cordials and locally produced drinks.

I have given a very low rating for the watershed - not because I don't love the films and exhibitions that they put on - those are fantastic. But I had a terrible meal experience in there and it wasn't so much that I had been served a horribly substandard meal it was about the attitude of the staff that I spoke to about it. He was rude and arrogant - he didn't except what I was saying and told me he didn't care if I never came back to the watershed. Well, I never have and I would never recommend anyone eat there.

UPDATE: I have since ventured back to the Watershed to try the bar and cafe area again and found the food to be of very good quality and the staff very pleasant. I think there must be a new management there since my first experience so here is me officially rewriting my review! :)

Superb arty place, great independent cinema. Fun to chill out and relax with a cup of tea, plus very nice view from the window.

the best place in town, to hang out and to see the best indie movies. Super atmosphere on Fridays and the best to be seen and to have nice chats about movies and what’s on in Bristol

Being the only decent place on the waterfront, this is the place to go for lots of good films and clever media types. It might not be the coziest of places, the interior is a bit bland and corporate and the rooms are very spacious. But the new outdoor space with cool views of the river is awesome when the sun is out, and it’s one of my favourite coffee spots in the city centre. And it’s got Wifi.

Very good place to see films that are not in main stream cinemas. Also good value for money

If you want to see quirky films, foreign films, documentaries-basically films that may never be shown in a multiplex-this is a place to see them.
They have small film festivals or themed nights and you can look up the schedule online or seek out the printed booklets in bookstores around the city.
The theatres are small compared to the mainstream cinemas, but have decent seating and sound and sightlines. You won’t be bothered by people munching popcorn!

On the same level is the cafe, with interesting food, a large bar, seating outside and inside and computer access. On the far end are meeting rooms, which are used for various film and art themed events.

Lovely cinema showing an interesting an eclectic mix of films. You have your mainstream, new releases, independent releases and often some old school classics. Interesting film festivals which provide you with an entire genre specific experience are frequent here. If you want to see a film where you may be intellectually stimulated and challenged, this is a great cinema to come to! Now for the cafe: Lovely food, slightly over priced (but hey, this is Bristol city center!). Only genuine issue I have is with the staff and their arrogant, look down their nose at you, holier than thou attitude that puts me off my dinner! If you want my advice, go visit the cinema, but take your own sarnies!

Great cinema that show interesting and intelligent arthouse/foreign films which I cant see otherwise. The experience is just as good as the big chains if not better as the sound, seats, etc are comparable but throw in the great setting, the bar and atmosphere and you are onto a winner.

I like to mooch around the cafe/bar which does great food - the selection is HUGE as are the portions - and the drink reasonable.

I like the work it also does with young people and local communities. It doesnt just do film though as it organises interesting events and talks, festivals and other similar engaging activities.

All cities, large towns should have their own version of the watershed! It’s also great to be surrounded by interesting buildings/setting. If you are not into films i would still recommend it as it has a great atmosphere.

The array and quality of films on offer has caused me to be fairly complacent about making an effort to get out and watch one. The Watershed has completely spoiled me and if I lived in a small town and even one of the films they showed was on I would rush to see it. But with so much choice I don’t bother as often as I should.
But when I do finally get it together to go I am always pleased by the general experience, even if the film is weird or imcomprehensible. The one thing that does me in is that the crowds can seem hell bent on being more knowing than thou. There seems to be an unsaid competition to laugh quickest or loudest at a joke in a foreign language long before the subtitles can be read and digested. Or acknowledging high-brow or obscure cultural references with a knowing chuckle. Me and the other half have noticed it to such an extent that a good part of any viewing is spent laughing at the audience laughing. It certainly has added another layer to a night out.
Also must say I think admission prices are very reasonable when all the multiplexes are pushing prices ever skyward.

I’ve been to the water hed for a few things in the past, one being the annual ski sale that ellis brigam used to hold . There’s also the art gallery and a cafe/bar with a nice ambience and food.

The location of the Watershed alone is enough to warrant a visit: its views over the Floating Harbour are guaranteed to make a trip worthwhile.

That said, with the growth of the waterfront area in the last decade it can’t rely on the vista alone anymore. Thankfully, it doesn’t need to. As one of the few cinemas in the area showing decent arts and foreign films (rather than unadulterated Hollywood blockbuster) it stands out; and the exhibitions, seminars and set-piece events it hosts are always well thought out, reasonably priced, and a pleasure to visit.

The food itself isn’t enough to make the Watershed a 'destination’, but it’s good enough to go away without complaints. If it could up its standards in that respect it might regain some of the lustre its lost since the rest of Bristol started to catch up with the quality it set itself out by first offering.

The watershed is a large open spaced cafe that fits over a hundred people (seems to!). There is a cinema next to the cafe part with a better selection of movies than you would find at odeon etc. The food is lovely although it’s not as cheap as I had thought. Probably around £8. The coffee is good and served with a little biscuit. The hot chocolate is wonderful and served with whipped cream. There is wi-fi and it’s quiet enough to take your laptop along and write for a couple of hours. The chunky chips are great! Oh and in November you will find the local NaNoWriMo group meeting there .

The watershed is a pretty good place for students and those who like alternative films. There are many foreign and bizzare films shown here. Also there is a bar which does some good drinks (decent cider)- it also does food.

It is pretty easy to find along the Waterfront.

If you like foreign and alternative films, you will love the Watershed. Its conveniently situated on Bristol’s Waterfront (hence the name!) and has a fairly quick turnaround of classy English and foreign language films. Expect other cinematic treats too, such as short film festivals, animations and visiting directors. The screenings are held in comfortable rooms which can suffer from enthusiastic air conditioning in the summer so bring an extra layer! The films tend to be for over fifteen years so they are not always entirely suitable for children. There’s also a lovely shop downstairs selling some crazy postcards! Highly recommended!

Opening in 1982 as the first media centre in Britain, the Watershed offers the best selection of world cinema, film festivals, media, digital art and conferences. It also hosts a hip bar offering foreign beers and free wi-fi access. The Watershed is a must for any lovers of film and specifically those looking for the slightly less mainstream flavor.

excellent city centre location on the waterfront. if you like offbeat, arty, leftfield or movies that are not the usual run of the mill stuff then this is the place for you. Also located with the cinema is a popular bar serving a good selection of decent food (though not the cheapest in the area)

The position is great with lovely views over the water from the large windows around the cafe. There are usually some good vegetarian choices on the menu, and nice coffees too. It can get very crowded so, if you can, pick a day and time when it is likely to be quieter.

i love the food and always enjoy watching the films, much nicer than the multiplexes. great!