Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Entertainment
Louisa Streeting

Harbour Festival 2022: What are the rules on alcohol and can I take my own drinks this year?

Tens of thousands of people will flock to the city centre this weekend to mark the triumphant return of the Bristol Harbour Festival.

Many will be eager to celebrate the triumphant return of one of Bristol's biggest festivals this year after a three-year break due to the Covid pandemic. Patrons will be able to toast this celebration at the festival bars with a number of beers, ales and other drinks available.

In previous years, people have brought their own drinks into the festival areas around the city - you can view a full programme of events here. However, festival organisers have previously discouraged this for safety reasons, and this year, measures will be put in place to encourage sensible drinking.

Read more: Bristol Harbour Festival organisers issue hot weather warning ahead of weekend

Is alcohol banned?

Festival organisers have said once again Queen Square will be restricted to only alcohol bought from the festival bars on site, a measure put in place a number of years ago to ensure the area remains family-friendly. As the home of Cirque Bijou's Circus Playground, Queen Square will feature a huge children's entertainment programme and world-class circus, which is popular with festival goers of all ages.

The festival is expecting incredibly hot weather this weekend and organisers have urged everyone to stay hydrated, drink in moderation and look after each other in the sun. There will be water points installed throughout the festival site to refill water bottles throughout the weekend.

Where will I be able to buy alcohol?

Local supermarkets and off licences have also been working collaboratively with organisers Bristol City Council to limit the number of drinks being sold in single transactions at Harbour Festival, to encourage a sensible drinking approach from audiences. Bars will be provided at each stage area which stretches from Underfall Yard to The Grove and across to the Amphitheatre.

Organisers are also urging festival-goers against bringing glass bottles to the event, to ensure audiences are kept safe. Recycling bins are being provided in every location to cater for cans and plastic bottles, or attendees are invited to also take their rubbish home as part of the festival's sustainability drive.

More on Harbour Festival:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.