This International Women’s Day, we celebrate Holly Graham, a woman who has not only built a thriving career in the hospitality industry over the past 13 years, now running two huge venues in Cardiff as General Manager, but has also dedicated herself to creating spaces where friendships, love stories, and lifelong memories are made.
Holly’s journey began in 2012 when she became the first VIP Host ever employed at Oceana Bristol (now known as Circuit). At just 18, while studying at university, she fell in love with the hospitality industry and quickly realised she could turn her passion into a career. Taking a leap of faith, she left university to immerse herself in the industry, learning everything she could by working across multiple cities, from Hereford to Gloucester, Yeovil to Swansea, Exeter and many more. Her dedication and relentless pursuit of knowledge saw her climb the ranks, gaining experience from a huge range of venues at every turn.
In 2017, Holly settled in Cardiff as Deputy Manager of PRYZM, a pivotal chapter in her life, professionally and personally. It was here that she met her husband, a security staff member at the time, as well as her maid of honour and some of her lifelong best friends. Her love for the industry reached an even deeper level because of this, it’s where her most treasured relationships were formed, and it’s what fuels her passion today for managing spaces that allow others to experience the same magic.
Post-pandemic, Holly played a crucial role in bringing venues back to life, leading the reopening of PRYZM Bristol after months of lockdown. Seeing the sheer joy on guests’ faces as they stepped onto the dance floor again was an “electric and emotional moment” for her and a huge reminder of why she chose this career in the first place.
Building on all her experience, Holly took the plunge and took on her very own venue in her first General Manager role, opening District in Cardiff in 2022. The space was originally a blank canvas, and she has worked tirelessly over the past 3 years to transform the venue into what is now the go-to events space for Cardiff’s best music, entertainment and more. By the end of 2023, she had also taken over Cardiff’s most loved late-night venue, Circuit, as GM.
Holly’s journey has been one of resilience, passion, and breaking barriers along the way. As a woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry, she has always made sure her voice was heard. Today, she is a champion for women in leadership, actively nurturing talent and ensuring women have opportunities to rise through the ranks. Under her leadership, four out of six operations managers at her venues are women, an achievement she attributes entirely to their own merit and a having natural eye for recognising talent and potential in other inspirational women.
Beyond her role, Holly is also committed to welfare and safety in nightlife. She works closely with organisations such as “For Cardiff” and other community safety groups, striving to make nightlife an enjoyable and secure space for all.
Holly said, “I’ve come such a long way in my career, and over the last 13 years I’ve made some of the best memories of my life. The opportunities for women are so real now in 2025 and it’s amazing to see so much progress. I used to be invited to meetings where I was the only woman in the room, which was great for the queue for the toilets but not much else, so speak loudly and let your voice be heard ladies!”
“It’s an incredible industry to be part of and so many people’s stories begin in the venues we run. That’s what makes this job so special, and I am so proud to be part of such a social industry which is host to so many experiences that just can’t be re-created.”
As Cardiff and beyond celebrate International Women’s Day, Holly stands as an inspiration, not just for women in hospitality, but for anyone determined to carve their own path, uplift others, and create spaces where memories are made. Holly is currently the General Manager for both Circuit and District in Cardiff and continues to drive both venues to success in a bustling nightlife town!
After 13 incredible years in the industry, from host to GM, Holly’s focus remains on what matters most to her: giving back the incredible experiences that shaped her life.
For more information or to arrange an interview with Holly, please contact: hannahleeland@leisurepr.co.uk
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Notes to Editors:
About NEOS Hospitality
Formed in 2024, NEOS Hospitality is the UK’s leading party bar company, renowned for creating unforgettable experiences across the country. With a portfolio of 19 venues, including modern party bars and a small group of late-night venues, the group operates a range of core brands, including Bonnie Rogues, Barbara’s Bier Haus and Circuit. NEOS is dedicated to offering guests a diverse entertainment experience, whether it’s enjoying a vibrant, social atmosphere in its unique themed bars, or dancing the night away in one of its world-class late-night venues. NEOS Hospitality is committed to quality, service and innovation, and is dedicated to staying at the forefront of the UK hospitality scene with their unique concepts. Unforgettable fun, exceptional standards.
For more information or to arrange an interview with Holly, please contact: hannahleeland@leisurepr.co.uk
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