Having lived with COVID restrictions for over a year, many of us are eager to reunite and reconnect with friends and have fun together once again. Bristol-born online experience marketplace Yuup.co  has over 200 unique COVID-safe things to do for the inquisitive individual to enjoy with friends, run by passionate local hosts. 

Master sheep herding with your flock of friends 

For a truly unique experience, get a group of your mates together for a trip a little further afield to join professional shepherd Chris from Raising the Baa in Devizes and explore the art of sheep herding. You’ll work together as a group to get the sheep into the pen and also get to ‘turn the sheep’ in this fun-filled, hour-long adventure. Prices from £75 per person, based on a group of 8 people booking the experience. Master sheep herding with your flock of friends 

Go to a playground just for grown ups  

Play dates aren’t just for kids, as Alison and KT know from A&K’s playground in Windmill Hill. For 90 minutes, they encourage you to harness the power of play and unleash your artistic alter ego as they guide you and your friends through a joyful set of activities in their adult playground. Expect obstacle courses, games and colourful murals to bring you connection, creativity and energy! Priced at £16 per adult. Go to a playground just for grown ups 

Try roller skating with Alice in Rollerland   

Roller skating is seeing a huge surge in popularity thanks to Tik Tok and Instagram, and Alice in Rollerland is a roller skating star case in point. Her workshops in Stokes Croft cover all the bases from how to tie up your skates properly, to turning, gliding, skating backwards and – most importantly – how to fall over properly and stop! A perfect mates date to get you rolling around the floor with 90-minute workshops starting at £30 per person. Try roller skating with Alice in Rollerland 

Enjoy a Sudanese supper club on The Downs 

This plant-based feast is run by two Sudanese chefs Salha and Maha from Houria CIC, a Pan-African catering company based in Bristol. Their three-course set menu supper is hosted at Breaking Bread on The Downs and explores the stories and significance behind the authentic dishes, full of opulent flavours that take you on a sensory journey. The meal is concluded with a dessert made with Tony’s Chocolonely Chocolate, and a discussion focused on anti-slavery. Prices are £32 per adult for this 3.5 hour experience. Enjoy a Sudanese supper club on The Downs  

Try your hand at pottery with Trylla 

Bond with your friends by trying out a new skill in this pottery experience at Trylla in Bedminster. Make pottery from scratch and discover three hand-building techniques (pinch pots, coiling and slab building) to create a plant pot, dish or tea light holder, ready to then decorate to your taste. Sessions are for people aged 14+, so ideal for crafty teenagers too, priced at £50 per person. Try your hand at pottery with Trylla 

Tap room tasting flight at Bristol Beer Factory 

With many pubs and beer gardens fully booked, why not try a new drinking experience with Bristol Beer Factory in Bedminster. Choose your three third pints for your flight paddle from their vast range of local brews, including award-winning Milk Stout, the ever-popular Independence or something completely new from their constantly changing selection. After you’ve discovered your new favourite brew, you’ll get a three-pint growler to fill up with your choice of beer and take home. Slots are available for £20 per adult.  Taproom tasting flight at Bristol Beer Factory 

Sip some cider on the Bristol Cider tour 

Discover why Bristol is the world capital of cider with this tour from The Cider Box team. The tour takes you and your friends around the harbourside, where you’ll delve deep into the history of this iconic West Country beverage before stopping off at Bristol institution The Orchard to sample some local cider. You’ll then head to Bristol Cheesemonger for hand-selected cheeses - the perfect cider accompaniment – and end your tour at The Cider Box Tap Room itself for more of the golden Bristol nectar. Tours are £24 per person. Sip some cider on the Bristol Cider tour 

Upcycle your rags to riches  

For a sustainable and sassy three hours of fun, host Marcie will help you and your friends turn old items from wardrobe into works of art in her glammed-up chicken shed studio near Tockington. Marcie shares her expert skills (she’s an artist, teacher, therapist and contributor for Reclaim magazine) with your group so you can redesign your old fashion favourites, or pimp up your pumps. Bring your own articles of clothing to upcycle and Marcie brings the sparkles, sequins and paints. Priced from £45 per person. Find out more about Marcie and her workshops at: Upcycle your rags to riches 

Dance your socks off with Bristol Swing Riot 

Learn some new moves with a vintage twist in this session of swing dance hosted by the hugely talented folks at Bristol Swing Riot. Open to people of all levels of ability, no one will be left in the corner of this class, as the team share the infectious rhythms, steps, vibes and joy at the heart of this dance movement. While the nightclubs are still shut, this is a brilliant way to get dancing with your friends again. Prices are £25 per person for the 2-hour workshop. Dance your socks off with Bristol Swing Riot  

Creativity club with Chandos Atelier  

Get crafty with Bristol artist Emma in her studio on Chandos Road, for this two-hour imaginative and immersive art experience. From pouring plaster to wirework, silk painting to polymer clay, you can let your creativity take over and make whatever you want. Host Emma, with a background in making costumes and props for over 20 years, is on hand for help and guidance as you get lost in the clay, paint, fabrics and embellishments. Sessions cost £25 per person for a perfect group activity. Creativity club with Chandos Atelier 

Prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change. 

Images: Yuup.co