Bath Ales and Colston Hall have announced they will be joining forces to create a locally inspired Café Bar and restaurant destination within the South West’s leading concert hall, offering something for locals, foodies and concert goers alike.
Independent brewer Bath Ales is known for its distinctive beer range including Gem, Dark Side and Wild Hare. It also has a growing range of South West drinking establishments, including Bristol’s craft beer bar, Beerd, The Hare on the Hill, The Wellington and Graze Bar, Brasserie and Chophouse in Queen Square.
Having successfully won a competitive pitch, Bath Ales will take over Colston Hall’s popular Café Bar in the new foyer area on 14 November and will re-open the 40-seater restaurant on the upper ground floor in the New Year. Both venues will undergo a refurbishment at the beginning of 2014 to bring the distinctive Bath Ales touch to the spaces, focussed on quality and individuality through its food offering and décor.
The locations comprise the Café Bar on the lower ground floor and the Bistro which is located on the upper ground floor.
Robin Couling, managing director of Bath Ales, said: “Colston Hall is a landmark institution in the heart of Bristol, so we’re thrilled to be working with the venue and its operator Bristol Music Trust to create a dining and drinking experience in line with the developing entertainment offering in the halls.
“We select our venues extremely carefully, always looking to challenge ourselves and offer something of high quality with a point of difference. This is exactly what we plan to do at Colston Hall.”
About Colston Hall
Colston Hall is Bristol’s largest concert hall, hosting entertainment by major names in the rock, pop, jazz, folk, world and classical music, stand up comedy as well as local choirs, orchestras and schools.
Audiences have been enjoying music at Colston Hall since 1867 and the building remains at the heart of cultural life in the city.
The imposing and iconic foyer has made Colston Hall an architecturally significant and striking addition to Bristol’s skyline and befits the many fantastic performers who play at the venue. With a café bar, roof terrace, conferencing and education facilities, plus disabled access to all floors it offers a top quality experience to all our visitors.
The second phase of its development will include improvements to the auditorium and historic old foyer areas, including some major upgrades to the building which has been in constant use since it first opened in 1951. Bristol Music Trust, the organisation that runs Colston Hall, is looking at all ways to raise the £40 million required to begin work.