Celebrating 10 Years of The Old Market Assembly

It’s hard to imagine Old Market without The Old Market Assembly and the Wardrobe Theatre. Since opening their doors in December 2015, they have grown from new kids on the block to beloved staples. From iconic late-night gigs to unforgettable theatre performances and high-quality food, they have brought fresh energy, culture, and community to the Old Market area.

Image: Old Market Assembly, credit MusicOnMyMind

The story begins with a group of friends who shared a simple idea: Bristol needed more places to gather. Spaces where food, drink, culture, and stories could come together under one roof. Founders of The Assemblies, Matt Pike, Jamie Pike, George Ferguson and Oli Wells, first brought this idea to life by establishing beloved venues The Canteen in 2009 and No.1 Harbourside in 2010.

James Dingle and Gary Derham joined The Assemblies in 2013, and when they came across a derelict building in Old Market ten years ago, they recognised the perfect opportunity for their next venture. With founder Matt Pike being an architectural designer, the team reimagined the Edwardian fairground building with new layouts, levels, and a mezzanine, while preserving its unique character. With love, sweat, and undoubtedly some tears, it became the award-winning restaurant, art bar, theatre, venue, and rooftop terrace that people know and love today.

Renovation was no easy feat. The building had lived many lives; it was once a bank, later a gay cabaret nightclub. Therefore, transforming it became an all-hands-on-deck operation.

Co-founder Matt Pike reflects on the early days of creating The Old Market Assembly: “It was the most intensive project I’ve ever taken on – designing and managing the build for back-to-back 14-hour days that turned into 18-hour sprints, with a team of up to twenty working around the clock in an incredibly short period of time.

Tickets had already sold for opening night before we’d agreed on a completion date, so it was brutal at points, but the team rose to the challenge, and I think all are hugely proud of what we pulled off. The friendships forged, and the care, creativity and love that went into that building, still show every time people walk through the doors.”

As the idea grew, an opportunity to extend the plans to include a fringe theatre began. “The Old Market space came through connections with the guys running the Canteen and No1 Harbourside,” remembers Wardrobe Theatre co-founder Chris Collier. “We were looking for a bigger space, and they were looking for a new business venture with a twist. We got the green light, and suddenly we were knee-deep in plaster dust and spreadsheets.”

“We were working 7am till midnight most days,” Chris recalls. “It just felt impossible. But every day people showed up, family, friends, old schoolmates, theatre makers. Everyone gave what they could.”

Image: Old Market Assembly, credit Dominika Scheibinger

Since opening, The Old Market Assembly has welcomed hundreds, possibly thousands, of musicians, performers, and artists, hosting immersive theatre, live music, community events, and raucous late-night parties. It has also been especially important to honour the building’s LGBTQIA+ heritage, continuing its legacy as a queer-friendly space through regular drag nights, cabaret, themed club nights, and partnerships with productions such as Queer as F*CK. It has also become a well-loved contemporary venue to host bespoke city-centre weddings.

For the manager of The Old Market Assembly, Shiv O'Connor, the future of the venue holds no bounds: "Old Market Assembly is a space where everyone is welcome. Our ambition for the future is that it continues as a home that enables creatives to thrive. We're a proud LGBTQ+ friendly destination art bar where theatre, cabaret, dining, and dancing come together.

By night, we're a hangout for musicians, artists, diners, friends who want to catch up after work, and art-lovers alike. By day, we're home to people coming together over a good Sunday roast, as well as craft and community groups who need a space to create.

In 2026, we're hosting even more raucous nights, continuing to support grassroots music and celebrate the arts by providing good food, drinks, arts, culture, and dancing all under one roof."
Co-founder of the Wardrobe Theatre, Matthew Whittle, adds: “Giving audiences positive, shared experiences is at the heart of what we do. And we couldn’t have done any of it without our partners at The Old Market Assembly. They’ve been with us since day one.”

To mark the occasion, The Old Market Assembly is throwing a week-long celebration from 19th to 24th January, it’ll be a chance for regulars to come together, share memories and raise a glass to ten years.

Friday 23 January will be the big 10th Birthday Party, with a performance from local legends The Bristol Hornstars. Born from Bristol University's Big Band Society, The Bristol Hornstars are one of the city's most loved jazz bands. Expect live jazz, dancing, and flowing drinks in true Old Market Assembly style.

Tickets available here: https://www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/whats-on/old-market-assembly/fri-23-jan-old-market-assembly-10th-birthday-party-ft-the-bristol-hornstars-143885#e143885. 

Keeping the 10 theme going, throughout the week, customers can tuck into discounted £10 pizzas and in partnership with The Wardrobe Theatre, the Snug Gallery will showcase never-before-seen photographs from the venue’s earliest days as a trip down memory lane into the making of the venue.

Lastly, because it wouldn’t be complete without the people who made it possible, The Old Market Assembly is asking the public to share their standout memories from the last decade: your wild nights, wedding memories, funny stories, and everything in between.

It’s a week designed not just to celebrate the past ten years, but to invite Bristol to be part of the next ten.