News / Cafes
Cafe to reopen with ‘coffee, booze and music’
A popular cafe at the bottom of St Michael’s Hill is set to reopen in July after a revamp and a name change.
404 has been renamed 808, after the cafe (oficially on Perry Road) was taken over by Kenny Joseph and Ben Carr who also run Mugshot Barber only a few hundred yards away.
What will soon become 808 promises “eats, beats, brews and booze”.
Kenny and Ben are eager to pay homage to the cafe’s musical history in their renovation plans.
Formerly known as Special K’s, the site was a drinking venue for a host of Bristol musicians, with Massive Attack’s Robert Del Naja and Grant Marshall often frequenting the bar ideally located close to the famous Dug Out on Park Row.
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Taking their name from the 808 drum machine – and a play on the former cafe name – the new owners hope to nod to the venue’s musical history, hosting music and DJ nights upon opening.
Beyond the music, the business partners are keen to support local businesses and produce.
Taking inspiration from the Scrandit on Christmas Steps, 808 will have a rotating kitchen, changing between different cuisines and chefs every month or so.
Kenny and Ben will also be stocking local producers such as Ciderhead and Triple Co. coffee, with 404 Bakes making a reappearance to provide pastries and baked goods.
The pair are also keeping the corner unit’s tiled floor design, with the building also famous for the cafe wall illusion which was first discovered on its outside wall.
Main photo: Hope Talbot
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