The popular Bristol pub is to reopen after four years of closure

A popular Downend pub is set to reopen next week after a takeover. The Downend Tavern, which closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, is confirmed to have been taken over by new owners.

Brothers Larry and Pat Kirwan have a combined 60 years of experience in the pub trade and have taken over the much-loved local pub, which left customers heartbroken when it announced its closure in November 2020. Larry has been trading at The Full Moon since Wells for the last 18 months after many years in the London pub industry.

Meanwhile, Pat has come out of early retirement to be a part of the reopening, and both say they’re looking forward to welcoming old and new customers through their doors.

Read more: Pubs in the Bristol area looking for a new owner

Read more: Business is booming at the Downend pub almost a year after its six-figure refurbishment

The new Downend Tavern will be open to all on Friday, June 28, with a soft opening scheduled for Wednesday, June 26. The pub has multiple TVs and surround sound which will host all live sports.

There will also be a pool table, darts, live music and DJs on weekends and even possible poker nights. Three beer taps will be available each day, among many more behind the bar.

Photos show work underway to prepare the pub for opening. In 2022, Bristol Live reported that the pub had closed due to the uncertain climate at the time, and almost two years later the venue was still boarded up and out of use.

However, according to the listing on the Fleurets leisure property website, it appeared the pub had been let, subject to conditions. But unfortunately it took another two years to find a date for the reopening.

At the time, the listing described the pub as having a no-tie tenancy, open-plan commercial areas, separate pub/event room and good-sized landlord accommodation. News of its reopening will come as good news to locals who were left heartbroken when news broke that the pub would close in 2020.