Bristol Rules returns to showcase ‘how to have a great night out’ as thousands of students return to the city

Bristol Rules returns for 2026, as the city comes together to welcome students and celebrate safer, more inclusive nights out

As thousands of students arrive in Bristol this September, Bristol Nights is bringing back Bristol Rules, the city-wide campaign built around six simple rules for people to enjoy a brilliant night out while looking after themselves and the people around them.

Delivered in partnership by Bristol Nights, Bristol City Council, Bristol BID, the University of Bristol (UOB) and the University of the West of England (UWE), the campaign will be visible across the city throughout the autumn, beginning as students arrive for the new academic year and continuing through to the busy Halloween weekend.

This year, Bristol Rules is embracing a distinctly Bristol voice with a new social campaign that will see six Bristol personalities, creators and city characters each take on one of the Rules, creating a series of short films designed to entertain as much as inform.

The campaign launches with OUT TOGETHER, HOME TOGETHER, with the voice of Bristol’s buses, the much-loved Fran Edwards delivering an unexpected last-bus-home reminder: don’t forget your most important personal belongings, your mates.

Other films planned across the campaign include social media sensation and TikTok star Natalie Brereton tackling DON’T BE A CREEP with a characteristically straight-talking guide to boundaries and consent, while Bristol drag artist Cynthia Road celebrates the diversity of the city after dark with RESPECT EVERYONE.

Bristol Starter Packs will take audiences on an increasingly ambitious Bristol night out for TAKE IT EASY, while another film with LGBTQ+ activist and TV personality Ella Morgan encourages people to CALL IT OUT when they see behaviour that makes someone uncomfortable. In a Rule that could only really belong to Bristol, the team from SUP Bristol will deliver an official reminder to STAY AWAY FROM THE EDGE after drinking.

Together, the films celebrate what makes a Bristol night out special while tackling some of the behaviours that can put people at risk.

Created to address night-time safety while celebrating Bristol’s famously independent and inclusive culture, Bristol Rules has become part of the city’s night-time culture.

The campaign was developed through research with the people it is designed to reach, including 250 face-to-face conversations with people in Bristol’s pubs, bars and clubs to bring the city together to take care of each other. Together with posters, media support, social media and out-of-home activity, Bristol Rules has reached more than 20 million views since its launch in 2021

For 2026, the emphasis moves increasingly towards social-first content and collaboration, using voices audiences already know and trust to take Bristol Rules beyond posters and into conversations between friends, students, venues and communities.

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Councillor Andrew Brown, Chair of the Economy and Skills Committee, said:

“Bristol Rules is not about the council acting as the fun police and telling people what to do. It's about the opposite: we want everyone to enjoy everything that Bristol after dark has to offer and to feel that they belong here. With thousands of new students arriving in the city this September, it's an important moment to introduce them to Bristol, not just where to go, but what we stand for. The Rules are deliberately simple. Look after your mates. Respect everyone. Call out behaviour that isn't right. Know your limits. And help make sure everyone gets to have a great night. This year we're handing those messages over to some brilliant Bristol voices. We hope people watch them, laugh, share them with their mates, and remember them when they're out.”

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Louisa Briggs, Project Manager at Bristol BID explains:

“Bristol’s night-time economy is a huge part of what makes our city such an exciting place to live, study, work and visit. Bristol Rules is a brilliant example of what we can achieve when the city works together, bringing businesses, venues, universities and city partners behind one positive, recognisable message. As thousands of students arrive and return this September, we want them to get out, discover Bristol’s brilliant venues and become part of the city’s night-time community. Looking out for each other, respecting the people and places around us and helping everyone feel welcome means better nights out for all and a stronger night-time economy for Bristol.”

The Bristol Rules campaign was designed by Bristol agency Plaster, with support from OOH specialists Out of Hand and launches on 10 September, as students begin arriving in the city, with the six films rolling out across the autumn and campaign activity building again ahead of Halloween.

Follow Bristol Nights on social media to see the films and find out more.