News / Cider
Cider I up on Silverthorne Lane
As hospitality businesses prepare to reopen as Covid restrictions continue to be eased, one bar in Bristol continues to adapt to its changing circumstances.
The Cider Box currently uses land opposite its bar on Silverthorne Lane in St Philip’s Marsh as an al fresco terrace and an extension to its tap room.
A concrete strip has repurposed for what Cider Box founder Daniel Heath calls “an outdoor cider emporium”, which can seat 40 guests on benches and tables.
is needed now More than ever
“The terrace is all about the cider,” says Daniel. “An all singing (but strictly no dancing) celebration of our city’s most famous export.”
The Cider Box terrace is on land opposite the tap room – photo: George Poole
The Cider Box opened just as the world shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, with plans for the business only now truly being able to come to fruition: just like its 2020 harvest cider which is close to finishing its long fermentation
“We’re thrilled to be working with the developer at Square Bay to temporarily change the disused land opposite our tap room into a cider terrace,” Daniel adds.
“Over the past weekends, we have seen folk relaxing, enjoying, and celebrating craft cider in space that was previously stacked high with fly-tipped waste, binbags and dereliction.
“It has been a lifeline for us, as hospitality moves as an exodus to the al fresco as part of the Covid-19 roadmap, to have such a space, and to be able to welcome people to it.
“The support, the community of craft cider lovers and the curious has been fantastic throughout these weirdest of times and we couldn’t be more grateful.”
Over the summer, The Cider Box will be arranging events including sunset cider boat trips with Bristol Ferry Boats, cider walking tours with Yuup and cheese pairing events with Bristol Cheesemonger – photo: George Poole
Daniel says that “now, more than ever before, we need folk to support local and independent, to celebrate provenance and place, and to rejoice in some of the excellent producers and projects we have on our doorstep in Bristol”.
“We’re proud of our place in this city- the world capital of cider- and urge people to seek out craft cider from indie producers across town, from the pop up pastures of Breaking Bread, to institutions such as The Orchard, alongside favourites like The Lazy Dog, The Volunteer Tavern, Nettle & Rye to name a few, we urge people to seek independent and to support local- cider and everything alongside, for now we need you.”
Main photo: George Poole
Read more: Bristol Loaf to open new cafe and wine bar
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