Bristol music pub The Prom Bar prepares for relaunch on Gloucester Road

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Natalie Burns spies changes in the Gloucester Road pub scene

A long-time promoter of Bristol’s musical talent, The Prom Bar on Gloucester Road is getting a re-vamp. Having opened about 30 years ago, the bar has seen an array of artists pass through the doors, but over time the paint has started to peel, the acts have become a little predictable, and the pursuit of the musical dream had begun to lose some of its original drive.

The Prom will be closing its doors today so it can tart itself up a bit, and reopen to begin from the beginning… with an aim to promote and showcase the best of Bristol’s unsigned artists. The pub will be re-opening in style on Friday 12th Feb with ‘A Proper Prom Party’. The staff have been put in charge of redecorating the joint, and have organised the party themselves to celebrate its rebirth.

Barman Matt Owen told us, ‘we’re really looking forward to the re-opening. We picked all the décor ourselves, and we’re all going to be working round the clock this week to get the place sorted. It’s like a second home for most of us, so we really want to make it somewhere exciting that people can come, have a beer and a boogie, and hear some exciting new bands. It’s an independent Bristol pub, and we’re very proud of it, so we all take a personal interest. We want to do something new, and the opening party will be the start of that’.

The Big Re-Launch will take place on Friday 12 February from 8PM till late. Tickets are £3 on the door (£2 concs). Seventeen piece swing band The GBH Big Band will be heading the evening, and all customers are encouraged to wear Guys and Dolls themed fancy dress for £1 off the entry fee, and a night of raucous dancing. The bar staff will also be dressing for the occasion, and the night includes a raffle, a free shot on the door, fruit punch (staff’s own recipe!) and glitter face painting for those who are game. There is also a 10% discount for those student types among you. Should definitely be a good night!