A history of Bristol's Old Market

How Bristol's LGBTQ+ scene grew into the Old Market, told through dated, sourced milestones.

Timeline

1. 12th centuryA market grows up east of Bristol Castle; by the 15th century the area is known as Old Market.
2. Late 1800sOld Market Street becomes an important tram terminus.
3. Mid 1900sThe area declines as shopping moves to Broadmead and new roads cut through it.
4. 1979Old Market is designated a conservation area, and restoration of its historic buildings begins.
5. 1990sLGBTQ+-run shops, pubs, bars, clubs and a sauna revive the area, and it becomes known as Bristol's gay village.
6. 2016The Old Market Quarter Neighbourhood Development Plan comes into force.
7. 2018The Gin Palace closes; Old Market is named one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the UK by a national newspaper the same year.
8. 2023Rising costs and closures prompt debate about whether Old Market is still Bristol's gay village, as many venues become LGBTQ+ friendly rather than LGBTQ+ run.
9. 2026Bristol Pride runs a fortnight of events from 27 June, with Pride Day on 11 July.

Venues we remember

These are reported as closed. Know different? Contact the team.

• The Gin Palace: A well-known Old Market venue with drag nights. Closed 2018
• Flamingos: An Old Market nightclub. Its site is now the Old Market Assembly

Sources

• en.wikipedia.org
• bristol247.com
• bristol.gov.uk
• attitude.co.uk

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