Stokes Croft is the Brooklyn of Bristol.
Stokes Croft named the Brooklyn of Bristol
August 4, 2026 - Brooklyn Of (brooklynof.com), a travel publication that names the coolest neighborhood in more than 150 cities worldwide, has named Stokes Croft the Brooklyn of Bristol.
The "Brooklyn of" a city is a metaphor, of course: shorthand for the coolest neighborhood in town, the one where independent culture, serious coffee, and creative energy define the character. Not the old town, not where the hop-on-hop-off bus goes. Every big enough city has one, and the site names exactly one per city. In many cities the pick is close to consensus, the name locals would give without hesitating. In others it picks a side. Bristol's verdict went to Stokes Croft ahead of Montpelier, Southville and Easton, which take the runner-up positions.
"We named Stokes Croft the Brooklyn of Bristol, and it was not a hard call. Every wall is painted, most places feel worker-run, and nobody seems in a rush to be anywhere else. Bristolians are welcome to tell us we are wrong," says Per, creator of Brooklyn Of.
The verdict comes with a guide to Stokes Croft's independent hotels, cafes, restaurants, bars and shops: no big chains, nothing sponsored, and placements are not for sale. Selections draw on research and local tastemakers in each city, and readers who disagree are invited to make their case.
The full Bristol verdict: brooklynof.com/bristol
Press contact: Per, creator of Brooklyn Of, hello [at] brooklynof.com
Press kit and images: brooklynof.com/press/bristol
Runner-up neighborhoods: Montpelier, Southville, Easton
Free for editorial use in coverage of brooklynof.com. Credit: brooklynof.com.
hello [at] brooklynof.com · Per is available for interviews, quotes, and written commentary on this and every city in the index.