Plus massive names that are making a comeback post-closure
Inside the Raj Pavillions Indian restaurant in Horfield(Image: Raj Pavillions)
The hospitality industry has seen many changes and struggles in recent years, and Bristol as a city has had to wave goodbye to many of its favourite food and drink spots as a result. As part of a monthly series, BristolLive is listing the cafes, bars, restaurants, pubs and other foodie spots that have closed their doors in the 30 or so days prior, to highlight the challenging times in the trade and the need to support those that remain.
July saw some nine venues bid farewell, with a handful of others announcing temporary closures too. And while the list for August is smaller, it still hits just as hard this month, with a family-run business that has been serving its local community for more than four decades, featured on the list.
It’s not all doom and gloom however, as September is set to see some old favourites return. Here is a round-up of the latest closures and comebacks on the city’s food and nightlife scene:
Bistro La Brousse
Bistro La Brousse in Bristol(Image: Bistro La Brousse)
Address: 10 St Nicholas Street, BS1 1UQ
At the end of August it was announced that French bistro La Brousse, which opened on St Nicholas Street in in the city centre back in May, was to close its doors after just three months. The latest venture from chef Oakan Brousse, who had been the chef behind the kitchen at music venue St George’s and who is known to serve up special dinners at The Library, the bistro was described at the time as being all about ‘good food, great company, and a little Bristol charm’, with Chef Brousse planning on bringing his French roots and ‘modern flair to every dish, blending classic techniques with seasonal ingredients and a warm, neighbourhood feel’.
The menu planned to ‘change frequently’, with dishes created and handwritten on the wall chalkboard by the chef each day, BristolLive reported at the time. The team posted a notice on their website, which now also includes the phrases ‘new chapter ahead’ and ‘coming soon’. It read: “La Brousse has now closed in its current form.
“Unfortunately, circumstances beyond our control meant we couldn’t continue the restaurant as it was. While this version was short-lived, it doesn’t reflect the standards we hold ourselves to at Round the Clock & Co.
“We’re grateful to everyone who supported us and are already planning an exciting new chapter for the space.” The bistro’s Instagram page is no longer active, and La Brousse is currently listed as ‘temporarily closed’ on Google. No more details have yet been given on what is set to replace the bistro.
Number 51 Stokes Croft (hiatus)
No. 51 Stokes Croft(Image: No. 51 Stokes Croft)
Address: 51 Stokes Croft, BS1 3QP
This bar in Stokes Croft has been part of the area’s nightlife scene for some 15 years, but announced at the beginning of August that it will be taking a ‘hiatus’. Number 51 Stokes Croft shared on Instagram at the time: “51s is going on a hiatus!
“Over the last fifteen years we have loved being right in the middle of the action (and the fun) in Stokes Croft – a place so rich in culture, spirit, and character. Keep supporting your local venues, go out to dance with your friends, continue creating new connections with new faces.
“Let’s hold on to what makes Bristol so special. Keep your eyes peeled for some one-off events over the next few month. We will be in touch.”
The bar didn’t provide any further information as to why it would be going on hiatus, or how long for. Taking to the comments, one follower said: “That’s a shame. Loved playing at 51s. Hope you will be back sometime soon!”
Raj Pavillions
Raj Pavillions owner Asad (known to locals as Azi) with Bristol music legend Roni Size(Image: Raj Pavillions)
Address: 12-14 Filton Road, Horfield, BS7 0PA
A massive shock to the local community, one of Bristol’s oldest family-run curry houses closed its doors suddenly at the start of the month. The beloved restaurant in Horfield, which has been serving locals and generations of families for more than four decades, confirmed it had made the ‘very hard decision’ to close its doors for good.
Raj Pavillions on Filton Road had been welcoming diners inside its well-known restaurant for 44 years. The family-run business, headed by Asad and Eva, catered for both dine-in and takeaway customers. In a review in 2023, BristolLive wrote about the food and staff, praising the business for its attentiveness, quality and for being “the perfect comfort food for those who crave fresh Indian cuisine”.
The team told Bristol Live last month: “It’s been a very hard decision but sadly we have been at financial loss for over two years now and unfortunately we cannot sustain being open and experiencing more losses.”
The family also confirmed that a new restaurant would be opening up in the former home of Raj Pavillions at 14 Filton Road. They said: “The restaurant has been taken by Pepes and they will be opening their branch in the next few months. As for the takeaway it has not been decided yet what will happen and what food premise will be there.”
Exciting comebacks
Motion
Motion, Bristol(Image: Motion)
The owners of legendary Bristol nightclub Motion have announced this month that the venue has a new location. Motion will reopen later this year in a new space on Victoria Terrace in St Philips.
“We’re moving into a new space, designed to be a home for Bristol’s nightlife for years to come,” Motion’s owners said. The owners also announced the launch of Momentum, a new event series to take place in the club’s new home.
“This is our way of letting the new venue grow organically, just like the early days of Motion,” they said. “A space for the city’s underground to connect, discover and shape its own future.”
Motion closed the doors of its original venue on Avon Street by the Feeder Canal, about half a mile from its new home, in July after operating there for almost 20 years.
The Croft
Strange signs appeared on The Crofters Rights building back in May(Image: Ellie Kendall/BristolLive)
The Croft returns this month, with a scheduled opening date set for September 12. The beloved Bristol music venue has issued an update on its plans to reopen almost a year after closing.
In a post to Instagram on Wednesday (July 9) The Croft, formerly the Crofters Rights, shared a message thanking fans for their support and reminding followers that “it isn’t over yet”.
The update read: “We’re incredibly happy to announce that we’ve reached a short term deal with the current landlord which allows us to obtain the keys ahead of our planned open date – September 12.
“We need to make this very clear – we are not done yet. We still do not have the sufficient funds raised to buy the building outright, and this will need to happen for us to secure the building for the long term. So please, continue investing, continue donating, and continue sharing the fundraiser. Together, we can save The Croft.”
Lizard Lounge
Lizard Lounge on Queens Road in Clifton, Bristol(Image: Google Streetview)
Bar and club Lizard Lounge closed down in July after almost 30 years on Bristol’s nightlife scene, but it has just confirmed its revival in time for Fresher’s Week. It will reopen on September 14 under the new name of SixtySix, following a full refurbishment.
Ben Townley, Marketing, promotions and events manager for Triangle Bars Group – which also run the likes of Daisy’s on the Triangle in Clifton – said the bar and venue group were hoping to revive some of the nightlife in the area that has recently been lost.
Dining and Cooking