The Abby Hotel's Art Bar Re-Launch

The Abbey Hotel’s Art Bar was re-launched this week with a bustling evening event filled with chilled out tunes, prosecco and cocktails, plus a celebration of local artists.

We asked our #TotalGuidetoBath blogger @SarahfromBath to see what all the noise is about…

The Abbey Hotel, right in the heart of the city at this popular venue which has enjoyed popularity across the years with hotel guests, dinners, revellers, eventers and those seeking an early evening glass of wine or cocktails or late night/early morning coffee. The Hotel has various differing areas including their Art Bar, traditionally the hotel lounge area.

The Art Bar long been a curated space with vibrant pieces of art and quirky installations and many a conversation starter, but the 2019 version is a cooler and fresher version with locally and rotating artists on the walls.

Under new ownership and creative direction, the space now lends itself for even more occasions to drop by and stay a while. Freelancers will be happy to note that charging sockets and USB ports are available a place to start a tab and work through that to do list in a stimulating yet private setting. The booth style seating on one side shouts business meetings, whilst the pared back creative corner, with paint splashed seating is a place to gather with family or friends, pre-rugby, pre-dinner, post-dinner.

Current local artists who are featured include colourful Emma Taylor, who consulted on the re-design, wonderful faces from Rob Highton and and James Nunn’s trilogy of Octopus’. All artist attended, happy to answer questions about their particular disciplines, with James printing attendee’s smaller ‘art bar’ prints on site. I understand that the chosen artists will rotate to keep a fresh appeal.

It would also have been remiss of me not to sample the cocktail offering whilst there (to offer a fair over view of the bar…) and can confirm that the hotels’ reputation for both classic and inventive cocktail making has not been lost in the re-vamp.

It’s a thumbs up from me.