Landmark Bristol pub to reopen under new owners and a menu of pizzas and ‘dirty’ burgers

It’s the the first Bristol site for Oxfordshire’s Dodo Pub Co
Mark Taylor
By Mark Taylor
Published 6th Mar 2023, 19:48 GMT
Updated 7th Mar 2023, 15:22 GMT
Fred Samengo-Turner, Leo Johnson, Andy Holland and Chris Manners of The Dodo Pub Co. outside their first Bristol pubFred Samengo-Turner, Leo Johnson, Andy Holland and Chris Manners of The Dodo Pub Co. outside their first Bristol pub
Fred Samengo-Turner, Leo Johnson, Andy Holland and Chris Manners of The Dodo Pub Co. outside their first Bristol pub

A popular Fishponds pub which closed last month will reopen in May under new owners and with a brand new name.

The Cross Hands on Staple Hill Road dates from 1853, when it was a hotel, and it closed on February 26 when the owners of the past eight years decided to move on from the business.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It has been bought by Oxfordshire company Dodo Pub Co, which has six other pubs. The Fishponds pub is their first Bristol site and it will be renamed the All Inn.

Co-founder Leo Johnson said: “We’ve been wanting to find the right place for a Dodo pub in Bristol for several years now.

“Two of us lived there for a while and we all love its vibrancy and the feeling of inclusion that seems to permeate the city. It’s got a great mix of pubs, bars and restaurants, and we firmly believe that our neighbourhood vibe will fit right in.”

The All Inn will open its doors in May, with refurbishment works underway. The Dodo Pub Co’s traditional, yet quirky, style will run throughout the new pub, alongside a menu offering dirty burgers, authentic slow-rise Neapolitan pizzas and a variety of sides.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The All Inn will be creating around 15 new jobs, with recruitment starting immediately for all positions.

Dodo Pub Co was formed by Oxford’s Leo Johnson and Chris Manners, who opened their first pub, The Rusty Bicycle, in 2009 after returning to their hometown from university.

Related topics:BristolPubs

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.