There’s a funky and free four-day bank holiday festival happening at a local indie pub

Posted on: 27 Mar 2024

The Volunteer Tavern, a local independent pub in Central Bristol, are hosting a miniature festival across all four days of the bank holiday weekend.

 

The Volunteer Tavern is a beloved community pub tucked away on New Street, in-between Cabot Circus and Old Market. It was the first Living Wage pub in Bristol, and is loved by locals for its vibrant atmosphere, great selection of beers – and its excellent programme of regular events.

 

Now, the Volly (as it’s often referred to) is kicking things back up a notch with their annual four-day extravaganza of theatre, music, parties, food, and quizzes – the Volly Beer Fest.

As the name suggests, the Beer Fest will play host to over 40 ales and ciders, with a special tap takeover by Bath craft brewers Electric Bear. With that many beers and ciders on offer, the Volly have also thought to offer the perfect food pairing – fried chicken.

 

As for the events on offer, it’s a smorgasbord of fun and worth mentioning it’s all free entry. Kicking off the festivities on Thursday 28 March will be the immersive fantasy stylings of the Carnifolk – a walkabout theatre mini-festival full of joy, whimsy, and good vibes.

Friday sees the Volly play host to a small army of talented musicians from all corners of the musical world – from the “blues-inspired fingerstyle guitarist” Willy, to the “bright, melodic pop rock with melancholic undertones” of Shy Pilot. In total, the music spans from 14:30 to 19:00, with six acts total – before breaking out into the headline acts of the Gwendolines, Catflap and Spinclass.

 

Saturday is, of course, the party night (and day), with a massive all day garden party from 12:00 til 22:00. Set in the Volunteer’s gorgeous, festival-ready garden space, and with DJs including the groovy Carlito’s Sessions, and Gallimaufry favourites More Soup – plus plenty of friends – ,this is crazy value for a free all-dayer party.

Sunday sees one of the Volly’s classic roasts all day until 20:00 – with records to accompany. A great day to start sampling those beers! Finally, the Monday will cap things off with a wild and westy hip-shakin’ hoedown through the day – and a classic Questionable Quizzes pub quiz to end the day with a bang.

 

It’s a staggering programme of events, food and drink, all with free entry – so you’ve got nothing to lose heading down. If you’re ever stuck for a good scene this weekend, head on to down to New Street and have a look in. For more info on the Volly, head to their Facebook.

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