Colston Hall

Bristol, United Kingdom

Colston Hall is a concert hall and grade II listed building on Colston Street, Bristol, England. It is owned by Bristol City Council and named after the trader and merchant Edward Colston, who founded a school at this location in the early 18th century. Since 2011, management of the hall is undertaken by Bristol Music Trust. The hall first opened as a concert venue in 1867, and became a popular place for classical music and theatre. In the mid-20th century, wrestling matches were in strong demand, while in the late 1960s it developed into one of the most important rock music venues in Britain. The hall has been redeveloped several times, and was gutted by two fires in 1898 and 1945, though the original Bristol Byzantine foyer has survived. A major refurbishment, adding an extra wing, opened in 2009 and redevelopment of the cellars is planned by 2019. The hall's official capacity is 2,075, with an additional 350 in "The Lantern", built as part of the 2009 redevelopments. As well as the main entertainment areas, there are a number of licensed bars and a restaurant.