News / Bars
New owners for historic former stock exchange building
A historic Bristol building is being brought back to life by a team who have opened more new pubs and bars than any other group in the city in recent years.
World Famous Dive Bars are now the owners of the Croft, the Crown, the Greyhound and the Mother’s Ruin, as well as recently purchasing Good Chemistry brewery.
Their latest project is transforming a Grade II-listed former Indian restaurant in the Old City into their latest venue.
Bristol’s former stock exchange opened in 1903 – photo: Martin Booth
The Old India on St Nicholas Street, which closed in June 2025, was originally Bristol’s stock exchange.
The Grade II-listed stock exchange building opened in 1903. It was paid for by Sir George White and features Bristol’s coat of arms on its temple frontage.
It is well-known for its palatial toilets with marble-lined walls and mahogany and brass fittings, accessed down a staircase featuring ivory and green ceramic tiles.
Downstairs at Old India was previously Stock Exchange Cocktail Club – photo: Martin Booth
In an unusual move, World Famous Dive Bars are documenting their transformation of the stock exchange building in a video series.
The first in the series can be watched on YouTube:
“We’re going to be doing our usual dive bar thing; slinging some burgers, frying some wings and making some fantastic drinks,” said World Famous Dive Bars co-owner Marc Griffiths.
“It’s got to feel like it’s one of our dive bars. We’re going to do all our usual dive bar shit here.
“It’s almost like we’ve squatted the place. It’s almost like we’re not meant to be here.
“It’s that juxtaposition. You come through that door and you’re expecting the Cosy Club, you’re expecting something quite plush…
“And then you’re into a place of chaos which a lot of our places are.”
Learn more about the former stock exchange building and the Old City on a walking tour with Martin Booth. For more information and to book, visit www.yuup.co/experiences/explore-bristol-s-quirkiest-corners
Main photo: Karen Johnson
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