Society Cafe
I finally got around to checking out this new coffee spot in Bristol last week and I wasn't disappointed.
The space is located in the city centre right along the harbour side. You can catch views of the harbour from one side of the cafe. It manages to provide this almost fish bowl effect which is quite pleasing and serene. Despite being located right along a very bustling area of Bristol, sitting inside the cafe remains very quiet. You can see the activity but you aren't directly part of it. You are left with this lovely opportunity to observe your surroundings which can be rare in a city.
The space has maintained its beautiful original beams which is contrasted nicely with the matte black floor and powder coated furniture scattered throughout the space. The variety of seating opportunities allows visitors to use the space for whatever purpose they may need. I sat on one of the banquettes which was upholstered in this fabulous wool material in blue and herringbone. But there are also sofas and chairs and more traditional cafe table and chairs. Even during my visit the occupants varied from students on laptops, business men on a coffee break and a small family taking a break for some treats. The space accommodates and more importantly welcomes all walks of life.
The bar design features some geometric fins which activate this large pieces of millwork and create a sense of movement as you move around the counter. The injection of the green 'wall' contrasts nicely against the sleek, rectilinear furniture and continues to add life and vibrancy to the space even on its quieter days.
I also really appreciated the sounds level of the music they played. It was loud enough to hear but not too loud that I felt I was yelling to the servers or couldn't concentrate on my reading. A seemingly minor detail but it really made an important and noticeable impact.
An added detail that I also found great was the supply of beautiful publications on hand to read. During my stay I was able to flip through the most recent issue of Drift as well as finally take in the beautiful book of the UK's beaches by Cereal. I really appreciated the act of bringing quality work to a greater audience.
I had such an enjoyable time at Society Cafe, I wish them all the success in the world as they continue on this journey. Pay them a visit if you are in Bristol, I'll definitely visit again!
All images are my own.
