News / Stokes Croft
Stokes Croft restaurant and bar will not reopen
Prohibitive costs and the need to keep their other businesses open have meant that a prominent Stokes Croft bar and restaurant will not be reopening its doors.
Despite exploring all of the options for keeping all of their restaurants open, the owners of Masa & Mezcal have taken the difficult decision to close, with the lease for the building shortly becoming available.
Since the easing of lockdown restrictions, its sister restaurants – Bravas, Gambas and Cargo Cantina – have all now successfully reopened as dine-in tapas bars, albeit with reduced capacity.
is needed now More than ever
“It’s been a real challenge but they have been well supported and we are optimistic that we can make them long term viable businesses and are working hard to make the food and hospitality better than ever,” said Kieran Waite, co-director of Season & Taste.
Former Masa & Mezcal head chef, Sean Martin, has joined the Cargo Cantina team and is currently developing new tacos, tostadas and botanas that will be exclusive to customers eating in and not available through Deliveroo, with food available there as Cantina en la Casa.
Masa & Mezcal opened in 2019 within what was previously the short-lived Meat Liquor – photo by Martin Booth
Season & Taste’s other business, Bakers & Co on Gloucester Road, remained open as a bakery and provisions store through lockdown and is still operating as a coffee shop and bakery for takeaway, with Kieran promising “some exciting changes” coming soon.
Kieran told Bristol24/7: “As for Masa, we’re really proud of what we created. We love the brand, concept and area and are gutted to not be in a position to continue with it…
“Our business plan didn’t account for a pandemic and the current economic situation that we find ourselves in.
Kieran said that “it will be a great site for somebody I have no doubt, but it’s a step too far for us at the moment”.
Main photo by Martin Booth
Read more: Masa & Mezcal – restaurant review
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
