Landmark Bristol city centre pub closes its doors suddenly

One of Bristol’s landmark pubs has closed its doors suddenly. The Colosseum on Redcliff Hill is widely regarded as one of the last ‘proper’ city centre pubs left.

The Colosseum, which stands in the shadows of St Mary Redcliffe church, was put on the market in November 2022.

Close to Temple Meads, Bedminster and Harbourside, the landmark pub occupies a prime location, with a large hotel and restaurants nearby.

The pub is well known for its cheap drinks prices - last year you could still get three pints for £10 - and for screening live sport, as well as the pool tables and dart boards.

A large, detached 1960s-built pub with two spacious outside seating areas plus two owners’ apartments above, estate agents Christies were marketing the pub as having ‘Airbnb/letting potential’. The asking price was £60,000 for the leasehold.

When Bristol World visited the pub today (June 21), a handwritten sign on the door read ‘closed until further notice’.

At the time, agents Christies said: “The Colosseum benefits from regular customers, as well as new, and has been very well established by the current owners. However, in our opinion areas where the business could be further enhanced to maximise returns.

“Subject to the right consents, there are also opportunities to increase letting or Airbnb accommodation in this city centre location. The owner’s accommodation was previously B&B rooms which provided an annual income of approximately £20,000.”

Turnover at the pub is said to have been in excess of £170,000 for the last trading year and the property has a free-of-tie lease, which expires in September 2026. The passing rent is £39,000 per annum.

The rear bar has pool tables and dart boards, with a small outdoor seating area for ten people. There is also a fully fitted trade kitchen.

In the past, the pub has also been used as a venue for events including record fairs.

Bristol World has contacted the pub for comment.