Award-winning distiller and top UK cocktail bar The Milk Thistle join forces to create the South West's most ambitious drinks destination
Posted on: 18 Jun 2026Two of the most renowned names in the South West's Hospitality sector have aligned together in a move set to create one of the most exciting new visitor destinations the region has seen.
The Milk Thistle, one of the UK's leading cocktail bars, and award-winning distillery The Spirit of Bristol, have announced a landmark partnership that will see The Spirit of Bristol establish its permanent home inside the iconic Bristol venue.
The collaboration marks the beginning of an ambitious new chapter for The Milk Thistle, combining award-winning cocktail hospitality, craft spirit production and immersive guest experiences under one roof.
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The first phase launches on Wednesday 15 July with the opening of The Milk Thistle Distillery, located on the top floor of the historic building. The new space will become the permanent home of The Spirit of Bristol, offering guided tastings, private experiences, distillery tours and an exclusive Milk Thistle gin and vodka created specifically for the venue. Making a special appearance on the menu is also one of Pete Lumber’s archive concoctions, Lumber’s Ivy Vodka, which will be available exclusively at The Milk Thistle.
Visitors will be able to take part in immersive experiences led by multi award-winning founder and master distiller Pete Lumber, including guided tastings, cocktail masterclasses and curated whisky, rum and mezcal experiences, bringing guests closer to the craft behind every bottle.
Together, the businesses aim to create the South West's leading drinks destination, bringing visitors closer to the craft, creativity and stories behind great spirits. The move marks a significant milestone for The Spirit of Bristol, which has grown rapidly since launching in 2024 and now supplies more than 100 venues across the South West.
While the distillery marks the first phase of the venue's evolution, The Milk Thistle will continue operating throughout the summer, with further developments planned ahead of an official grand reopening in September. The Milk Thistle has earned a reputation as one of the UK's most acclaimed cocktail destinations, while The Spirit of Bristol has established itself as one of the region's most exciting distilling success stories, earning national and international recognition for its award-winning spirits.
The collaboration brings together two businesses operating at the top of their respective fields. The Milk Thistle has secured its place among the UK's Top 50 Cocktail Bars, while The Spirit of Bristol recently celebrated major success at the World Gin Awards 2026, where its Harbourside Navy Strength Gin was awarded Gold before being named Best Navy Gin in England. The distillery has also received further recognition this year, with Clifton Royale Gin awarded Gold in the Contemporary Gin category at The Gin Guide Awards 2026.
Jay Mead, co-owner of The Milk Thistle, said: "The Milk Thistle has always been about creating memorable experiences and this partnership allows us to take that even further.
“Pete and The Spirit of Bristol have built one of the region's most exciting distilling businesses, while we've spent years establishing The Milk Thistle as one of the UK's leading cocktail destinations. Bringing those strengths together gives us an opportunity to create something genuinely unique for Bristol. We're not changing what people love about The Milk Thistle; we're adding another dimension to it."
Pete Lumber, founder and master distiller at The Spirit of Bristol, said: "Finding a permanent home within The Milk Thistle feels like a natural next step and gives us an incredible platform to share our spirits and our passion for distilling with even more people.
The opening of The Milk Thistle Distillery is only the beginning. Our ambition is clear: to create the best tasting room in the South West and establish a destination that attracts spirit lovers from across the region and beyond. We want people to experience exceptional spirits where they're made and enjoy experiences they simply can't find anywhere else."
Bookings for The Milk Thistle Distillery will open on Wednesday 8 July ahead of its official launch on Wednesday 15 July 2026.
Further details on this exciting new chapter of The Milk Thistle and their grand reopening will be announced in the coming weeks.
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Born and raised in rural Somerset but now making the most of all Bristol has to offer. Alex has a keen interest in Bristol’s music scene, spending a lot of time attending or working gigs, festivals and electronic dance music events. Other passions include Sport, DJing and running club nights.
