A Bristol pub is going back in time for one night only in March as it hosts an immersive pub theatre night set in 1848. The Robin Hood, a community pub on St Michael’s Hill, will host the experience set on the day the pub first opened, on Saturday March 28.
The team at The Robin Hood say: “At a time when pubs across the UK are still seriously under pressure, this event is a celebration and a statement.
“Pubs have always been vital spaces for stories and social change. In revisiting its own origin story, The Robin Hood is celebrating the beauty of community in bringing people together in creative and joyful ways.”
Running from 3.30pm until 9.30pm, the pub will operate as if it’s just opened its doors for the very first time. There will be roaming characters, live folk music, and no fourth wall. The team behind the pub say there will be no stage or formal performance, just a ‘fully living pub where history unfolds around you’.
A local troupe of actors will be bringing the past to life by moving between tables, starting conversations and – as the team says – “drawing guests into a world of industrial ambition, seafaring tension and Bristol underworld conspiracies”, adding: “Expect whispered business deals over the arrival of the railroad or card games with questionable stakes and fiery arguments about worker’s rights. There are even rumours that Isambard Kingdom Brunel himself might stop in to raise a glass.”
The floor of the pub will be covered in straw, a detail of a 19th Century boozer of the time, while there will be mead and ale on tap and silver coin payments for drinks. Food-wise, pub goers may even expect to see a number of hearty dishes on the menu.
Theo, Toby and Courtney have taken over The Robin Hood pub in Bristol – they couldn’t let it be turned into flats -Credit:The Robin Hood Pub
The event is free to attend, with all ages welcome and no ticket required. Costumes are also not required (but are encouraged). Suggestions by staff include shawls, braces, waistcoats, worker’s caps, simple dresses and boots.
Guests can arrive at any point during the afternoon or evening. The pub has a capacity of 110 and will operate a one-in-one-out policy if needed.
Theo Cernow-Cooke, co-owner of The Robin Hood, said: “We absolutely love our community, and we love putting on things that are a bit out there. For us, this is about celebrating where the pub came from and why pubs still matter so much.
“The theatre and pub world truly fit together extremely nicely. Both revolve around people and stories, so when you bring them together you can create something super special.”
It’s not the first time this particular local pub has hosted a quirky unique event – back in November 2024, it hosted Bristol’s first ever Independent Crisp Championships, inviting locals and crisp lovers from far and wide to come and sample a vast array of crisps and judge them in different categories, all while enjoying a pint or two.
The team has told BristolLive that this event is set to return for 2026.