Brian Blessed wishes happy birthday to The Gryphon in animated video
Posted on: 22 Sep 2020"Fine ales and heavy fucking metal. What more could you ask for?"
Over the weekend, The Gryphon celebrated its tenth anniversary.
The city centre pub has become a renowned heavy metal venue, known for its strict real ale policy (strictly guests, no repeats).
To mark the occasion, British actor, writer, presenter and singer Brian Blessed wished happy birthday to The Gryphon.
Blessed, who trained as an actor at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, appears in an animated video praising the pub.
“I even bear a slight resemblance to the landlord.”
"Metal and Bristol are both close to my heart," he said.
"That's why I want - no, I need - to tell you about this little pub tucked away in the centre of Bristol. A stone's throw from the Old Vic itself.
"Of course, I'm talking about The Gryphon - perhaps the best real ale and heavy metal pub this side of Valhalla."
Blessed said he'd like to wish the pub a "tremendous happy birthday," and praised the pub for creating a "home from home for all to enjoy."
He added: "fine ales and heavy fucking metal. What more could you ask for?"
The video is illustrated by Dave Brain
In the voiceover, Blessed also encourages viewers to support local independent music venues.
"We need each other more than ever," he said.
"Do what makes you happy, follow those dreams, be excellent to each other and don't let the bastards grind you down. The Gryphon's alive! Long live The Gryphon."
Watch the full video on Facebook.
Due to COVID-19, The Gryphon has been shut since March. It's an intimate venue, with a 50-capacity gig space.
The pub is set to reopen in the coming months, but in the meantime, The Gryphon is selling beer with local delivery and fundraising.
The pub's owner, John, wrote on Instagram: "Thank you to everyone that has supported us over the past ten years. It's been emotional."
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