So, you're in Bristol, the city that birthed trip hop, pushed forward drum n bass and now flies the flag for dubstep. With such a prolific and fast moving scene, its easy to get lost- hopefully this column will prevent that. Jumping in at the deep end, here are some of the best nights; after all, the best way to immerse yourself in this music is to hear it on a dancefloor. In front of a rib crushing 20K rig preferably.

First up is the longest mainstay of the Bristol dubstep scene; Pinch's Subloaded and Dubloaded. Between the excellent Tectonic label and those two nights, Pinch built the entire Bristol scene from the ground up. If you want levels of sub to make your chest collapse, this is where you need to be; monthly at the Croft and Black Swan.

If Sub/Dubloaded represents the old contingent, the ever excellent Crazylegs heads up the new. Responsible for some of the most exciting line ups Bristol has seen in recent times, Crazylegs is at the forefront of UK Funky, garage revival and everything new on the dancefloor.

Going further leftfield, there's Pollen. Only a year into its life, its already established itself as the best place for all manner of boundary pushing craziness. Colourful synths, skewed post-Dilla beats and future thinking are the name of the game. The night doubles up as a label with Brackles & Shortstuff heading up their only release thus far; certainly worth keeping an eye on.

Finally the messiest in the scene; Shit The Bed. There's nothing introspective or futuristic about this one.. until the k-hole aftermath at least. Expect seriously big names, three rooms of fun and an acute sense of nihilistic self loathing in the morning. Check it at Motion.

Next time: The essential Bristol 12"s!

Simon Docherty