Old Market Assembly
WHERE
Bristol
What it’s like
Live music, fringe theatre and a proper restaurant menu under one roof in Old Market, open from early afternoon most days.
This one's more for an evening out with older kids or teenagers than a toddler-friendly matinee spot. The Wardrobe Theatre here does original, fringe theatre, and there's live music and performance on too, so it suits a family who wants something a bit different from the usual cinema trip.
The building opens from 4pm on weekdays, but Saturday runs from midday and Sunday from half eleven, which gives you more room to plan an early visit if you want to eat before a show. There's a pre-theatre menu Wednesday to Saturday, two or three courses, available until 6:30pm, so if you're catching an early performance it's worth timing your table around that. The restaurant does seasonal food and can handle dietary requirements, which takes the stress out of picky eaters.
One thing to flag: there's no lift, so the upper floor is stairs only, which matters if you've got a pushchair or anyone who struggles with steps. The ground floor covers the restaurant, bar, stage and theatre though, with step-free access via the left-hand entrance and an accessible WC on a RADAR key. Kitchen closes at 9pm on nights when the late events are running, so don't leave dinner too late if you're in for a long one.
There's no venue parking, but street parking outside is free from 5pm Monday to Saturday and all day Sunday, and it sits outside the Bristol Clean Air Zone. Dogs are welcome too, if that's part of your family outing.
Facilities
Need to know
- Parking
- No venue parking. Free street parking from 5pm Mon-Sat and all day Sunday
- Food
- Award-winning restaurant with seasonal food, plus options for dietary requirements
- Wheelchairs
- Step-free access via left-hand side entrance
- Dogs
- Allowed
- No lift, so the upper floor is stairs only if you've got a pushchair
- Kitchen closes at 9pm on nights with late events, so eat earlier if you're staying late
- Pre-theatre menu only runs Wednesday to Saturday, not every night
- Street parking is free after 5pm on weekdays and all day Sunday, but not before
Plan your visit
What can kids actually do here?
Watch original fringe theatre at The Wardrobe Theatre, or catch live music and performance events. It leans older, more of an evening or weekend outing than a toddler activity.
Is there parking?
No venue parking, but street parking outside is free from 5pm Monday to Saturday and all day Sunday. It's also outside the Bristol Clean Air Zone.
Can we eat there?
There's an award-winning restaurant with seasonal food and options for dietary requirements. A pre-theatre menu runs Wednesday to Saturday until 6:30pm, worth booking if you want to eat before a show.
What are the opening hours?
4pm to 10:30pm Monday to Wednesday, later Thursday and Friday, from midday Saturday, and 11:30am to 10pm Sunday.
Is it accessible?
Step-free access via the left-hand entrance gets you to the restaurant, bar, stage and theatre on the ground floor, with an accessible WC on a RADAR key. There's no lift, so the upper floor is stairs only.
Can we bring the dog?
They're dog friendly and say they like meeting people's pooches.
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