Pubs and Bars / Cheltenham Road
Popular pub reopens under three new young creatives
Previously known as the Cloak and Dagger, the venue has reopened under new owners with a newly renovated space and cafe.
Renamed Cloak, the venue reopened on September 29 and is now run by three young creatives: Ola Poroslo (25), Rakesh Jaitly (26) and Katherine Sparke (27).
Supported by the hard work of the queer community, the new space is open day till night over two newly refurbished and improved spaces.
is needed now More than ever
The renovations the space has undergone include sound proofing and core works, along with construction work upstairs to make the space into a cafe.
The Cloak Cafe, located upstairs, will be open from 9am, serving Wogan’s Coffee, locally sourced grub from Bristol’s favourite family bakery Cakesmiths, comfort food and Polish delicacies.
The Cloak Cafe will be open at 9am, seven days a week. photo: Cloak
The downstairs space is serving as a multi-purpose dive bar and brand new music venue with a brand new seating area, new kit and a purpose-designed soundproof chamber.
Cloak has partnered with local sound system heads Dharma Hifi to offer promoters a set-up on par with much larger capacity venues.
The three hope to keep the same ethos of the venue, ensuring the same workshops and events are held there such as life drawing classes on Tuesdays and a Sunday residency from Questionable Quizzes.
The newly renovated space will be open seven days a week, from 9am to 1am, with other weekly events including open mics on Wednesdays, open decks on Thursdays and monthly film nights.
The Cloak and Dagger had fallen victim to the effects of the Cost of Living Crisis before being bought. photo: Cloak
Rakesh, co-director of Cloak, shares: “In the age of the demise of independent grassroots business it’s important that we can keep a hub like this open, so that we can preserve and grow a space designed for and run by a diverse and genuinely inclusive community.”
Ola, co-director of Cloak, says: “This venue is an opportunity for us to lead by example, implement the changes we want to see in nightlife, with harm reduction, duty of care and mutual support at the forefront.”
The newly refurbished and improved spaces are equipped to bring a range of events to the venue. photo: Cloak
Main photo: Cloak
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