06/06/2020
Interested in taking over? Here's news from the current owner, Sarah Thorp - 'You've probably seen this coming but I've decided to sell Alchemy 198. I'm loving my time in the country and want to continue doing so. I'm not leaving Bristol and still have plans for Room 212 but I need to simplify my life.
Buying, renovating and running Alchemy was an incredible, life changing experience. I met so many wonderful people and loved putting on all the events. It all happened here - loads of live music, spoken word & Funny Women comedy nights; celebrations of Green Party MEP wins & airport expansion defeats; Extinction Rebellion Bristol
banner making & demos & Bishopston Window Wanderland films; LGBT film nights, birthday parties, weddings & anniversaries; Christmas parties, wreath making & gin tasting hen parties; North Bristol Art Trail, art classes, knitting & creative clubs. Our special hanging system meant we could have ever changing exhibitions so many Bristol artists showed their work. We also hosted student art & photography shows & launch parties. At the beginning we had Buster Keaton film shows with live piano - a really unique experience. I loved every single event. Even the 18th birthday party when drunken teenagers were snogging, having white outs or breaking glasses in every corner.
We dipped in & out of having food. In the last few months the Eat Me pop up was really taking off. We were developing a lovely crowd who came in for tea & cake then decided to stay and work through the cocktail menu.
I loved supporting local & sustainable brands - Bristol Beer Factory on tap, Wild Women Tea Club infused gins & wines from Grape & Grind and Xisto Wines Ltd - Port O' Bristol I'd just discovered refillable eco pouches for our house spirits.
One of my highlights was our New Years Eve party with a local band playing raucous covers then djs downstairs. The whole room was dancing for hours while in the main bar friends & neighbours were moving from polite chit chat to tequila shots & mayhem.
As Covid19 hit I was really sad to cancel the launch party for the Colin Moody book 'Great Bristol High Street - Glorious Gloucester Road'. Not only would the party have been rammed with every journalist and Bristol A lister but the book itself truly captured a moment in time - photos of a high street before Lockdown. Gloucester Rd will always ebb & flow but right now is a pivotal moment on our high street. We are at the centre of a wonderfully supportive & loyal community. The queues at Pawsons, Joe's Bakery Bristol & Preserve Foods have always been there - they're just more spaced out these days. I don't doubt that Gloucester Road is strong & resilient and full of opportunities, especially for those who understand our area. People are itching to get back to 'normality' and it's up to businesses to shape that.
Apparently there will be lots of interest in either buying or renting Alchemy. Before I sign with an agent I wanted to share my news. I'd love someone to continue building on what I created. I didn't start Alchemy because I wanted a bar or cafe or extra gallery. I did it because it was somewhere I wanted to go to meet friends, enjoy music, art, cocktails, food & random wierd stuff! I particularly wanted a beautiful environment where women felt happy to wander in on their own. It worked and on many nights 80% of our customers were women, unusual in the male dominated pub world. Environmentally I'd be sad if a new owner ripped everything out so fingers crossed.
If you're interested or can share this post to those who might be then please do. There is also a 2 bed flat above.
Alchemy 198 is a bar, gallery and events space set at the heart of Gloucester Road Central, Bristol. Our Downstairs Gallery is also available to hire for parties and events.
