Independent brewer Bath Ales has just unveiled two exciting new venues housed in the South West’s most popular concert venue, Colston Hall, in Bristol.
Comprising of two separate locations inside the stunning building in Bristol City Centre, the new venues include a charcuterie bar/restaurant called Gordito and Colston Street Bar & Kitchen, a café bar with a modern American and European themed menu.
Whilst the café bar has always been trading, the restaurant was vacant at the start of Bath Ales’ lease and has since undergone a dramatic makeover at the hands of the brewer and their design team from Simple Simon.
Robin Couling, Managing Director of Bath Ales, said: “Our retail division is now a huge part of our business. Over the past few years we’ve quickly expanded from being a local brewer to being a major retail operator in the South West as well as quality beer producer.
“We tailor every new venue we open to the surrounding area and consumer base whilst always trying to do something different which will genuinely excite people.”
Bath Ales now run twelve venues across the South West ranging from cosy city pubs like the Salamander and the Hop Pole, to vibrant brasseries like Graze, or craft beer bar Beerd, which was the first of its kind to open in Bristol.
Robin continued: “We are confident we do interesting things and set high standards – be that brewing something with unique flavours to trying something completely new with our pubs and the menus we create.”
Commenting on the new launch, Marguerite Jenkin, Finance and Commercial Director of Bristol Music Trust which runs the Colston Hall, said: ““Bath Ales are the perfect partner for our two dining establishments and we feel they have produced something unique for the city to make them destinations for dining, as well as catering to our growing base of patrons for the events held in the venue. The focus on sourcing the very best produce both locally and internationally fits perfectly with our programming ethos so we’re sure it’ll go down well with our audiences.”
The menus in the new venues have been designed by Bath Ales’ Executive Chef Alice Bowyer.
She said: “We’ve wanted to open a charcuterie and wine bar for a while and Gordito gives us the chance to experiment with a different style of food and drink. We’ve sourced the finest cured meat from home and abroad for our menu, which features delicacies such as jamon croquetas and frito mixto, just like you’d find in Barcelona’s La Boqueria market.”
Styled on a bustling charcuterie bar, the centre piece of Gordito is a red tiled bar, where customers can sit and enjoy small plates and a glass of wine.
The Colston Street Bar & Kitchen boasts a relaxed atmosphere which is geared up for all-day dining with large tables for groups as well as smaller tables for couples.
The menu boasts treats such as spiced chicken wings, harissa yogurt and date and whisky pudding with bourbon sauce.
ENDS
Images will be available from Tuesday 4th March. Please contact Amy Bullen using the details below to request pictures.
For interviews with Colston Hall, please contact Anna Wooles at Plaster Creative Communications on 0117 953 0320 or anna@weareplaster.com.
For more information, images or interviews with Bath Ales, please contact Amy Bullen at Inside Media on 01179 066 526 or amy.bullen@insidemedia.uk.com.
About Bath Ales:
Based between Bath and Bristol, Bath Ales is an independent brewery established in 1995 which uses traditional brewing techniques with cutting-edge technology. The founders come from a brewing background and combine a range of skills with a shared passion for all styles of beer.
The business currently produces just over 20,000 brewer’s barrels annually and has had its own bottling plant since 2007. Sustained investment plans will see the brewery continue to increase production volumes. Bath Ales also has an on-site brewery shop.
Bath Ales now operate 12 sites across the South West – two inside Colston Hall, The Hare on the Hill, The Hop Pole, The Salamander, The Swan, The Wellington, Beerd, The Grapes a little bit further afield in Oxford, and three Graze, Brasserie & Chophouse sites in Bath, Bristol and Cirencester. The latest flagship Graze in Bath also features a fully functional microbrewery.
The Bath Ales range of beers includes Gem, Barnsey, Dark Side, Wild Hare, Special Pale Ale and Ginger Hare.
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. This year has seen the venue host music from the likes of Emile Sandé, Richard Hawley, Robert Plant and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra; comedy from Harry Hill, Jimmy Carr and Billy Connolly; as well as being a key player in many of Bristol’s wider events including the Bristol International Jazz & Blues Festival, Slapstick Festival and Doors Open Day.
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 £40million required to begin work.
Amy Bullen
Inside Media
Twitter: @InsideMediaPR
Tel: 01179 066 526 / 07827 852 928