Take Five Cafe

Take Five Cafe is a café and music venue at 72 Stokes Croft in Bristol. The building has served as a shoe shop, wine store and greasy spoon; in the early 1990s it became an illegal rave venue. Jake, known as “Cosmic” Jake and originally from Malaysia, later took it over and developed it as a café and nighttime venue. It has operated since 1996 as an independent, family-run business led by Jake and Rob.

Music events take place in a stone-floored basement cellar used for DJing and dancing. The venue has capacity for about 120 and a private smoking area at the rear. Its DJ nights cover jungle, drum and bass, bassline and garage, with Sensi Sounds providing the sound system for a resident-DJ night. Take Five has hosted showcases for L.I.E.S. and Livity Sound, alongside events run by university and college music societies and community groups.