Venture over to Easton and you'll uncover a world of lively streets, delicious exotic foods, colourful street art and radical culture. The area centres around the bustling St Mark's Road. Here you will find Bristol Sweet Mart, the biggest supplier of ethnic foods and spices in the West. St Mark's Road is also home to an African-Caribbean clothes store, Moroccan cafes, a sari shop and Cafe Maitreya, which was last year voted the best vegetarian restaurant in the UK. In between Easton and Fishponds you will find Eastville Park, a great place for a Sunday stroll, a game of football or a cycle along the banks of The River Frome.

Another place to grab a pint is the Sugarloaf, situated a little further down St Mark's Road. Its outdoor seating allows you to take in the sight and sounds of busy shoppers. Alternatively, on Stapleton Road is the Black Swan, Bristol's number one reggae bar. On weekends the Black Swan opens up its club out back and hosts some of Bristol's top underground mashups. Expect friendly faces, a blazing fire in the garden, and a fullon mashup of anything from reggae, dub, techno and psy-trance to gabber, jungletek, breakcore, bashment and happy hardcore.

Just around the corner is the Kebele Kulture Projekt, the place to meet radical activists in Bristol. Kebele is a volunteer-run space for developing radical community politics and international solidarity. The centre runs a bike workshop every Wednesday, regular film nights, political discussions, skillshare sessions and their delicious donation-only vegan cafe, every Sunday evening from 6pm.

Bristol's alternative gay scene resides in Old Market/ West Street, just down the road from Easton. The area has been neglected and feels run-down, but is still relatively safe. You will also find in Old Market the Trinity Community Arts Centre, a converted Church which is used for a range of events from concerts, African and samba drumming and urban dance classes to theatre groups, arts projects and club-nights.