Features / Pubs
The Beese’s knees
Christmas in September, a renowned beer festival, a special ‘Liberation Day’ celebration and more live music than you can shake a rhythm stick at are lined up this season at Beese’s Bar and Tea Gardens.
From April to September 27, this waterside wonder hidden away beside the banks of the River Avon in St Anne’s will serve the food, drink and hospitality which has beguiled and bewitched Bristolians since 1846.
But for owners Phil and Lindy Leahy, this, their tenth season may be their last.
is needed now More than ever
Since taking over the reins in August 2006, their policy of continuous improvement has brought about a veritable Ship of Theseus (or Trigger’s Broom for the non-philosophical) transformation, with tens of thousands of pounds of investment and a two-brother wrecking crew greatly enhancing facilities.
Despite this, the couple consider themselves custodians rather than owners, and are now seeking the similarly committed to take over what remains one of Bristol’s best kept secrets.
“We want to go while we still want more,” Lindy says. “We never want to feel bitter or begrudge being here or get to the age when it becomes too demanding – that day is not here yet.”
Their obvious enthusiasm is evinced in excitement when we spoke before the coming season.
“We can’t go anywhere in February and March without people telling us how many days until we open,” laughs Lindy.
As suppliers Butcombe have been acquired by Channel Islands-based the Liberation Group, the former Butcombe Day becomes Liberation Day on May 24, with cut-price beer and a Cajun band among the festivities.
Over the season, expect live music twice monthly (highlights include Pizzazz! performing film scores and a brass band,) regular quizzes and supper nights, a 20-ale and 12-cider festival on September 4 and 5 and the third staging of Christmas Day on September 23.
“Locals regret we’re not open at Christmas so they come in wearing Christmas jumpers and we’ll find some crackers again!” says Phil.
Interest has already been shown in the bar, and the couple know the day they move out will be bittersweet.
“I could see Lindy almost going into meltdown when one potential buyer was showing interest” says Phil.
Phil and Lindy have no doubt the right party will come along, be that couple, company or even community benefit society.
When no longer custodians, they will return as customers but while still in charge they are looking forward to many memorable nights.
“The highlight has been getting musical acts we’ve been stalking for 25 years,” Phil reminisces. “I was 25 when I first saw the Georgia Satellites with singer Dan Baird at the Town & Country Club in their heyday. 20-odd years later they were playing in my bar in 2013.
“I was more nervous than excited, but after he’d been playing for an hour I thought to myself, ‘Fuck me! Dan’s in my bar!’”
Beese’s Riverside Bar & Tea Gardens, Wyndham Crescent, Bristol, BS4 4SX
0117 977 7412
Photographs by Lloyd Ellington