News / Restaurants
Taco and vinyl shop finally opens after over a year of delays
A shop and restaurant promising vinyl and tacos since May 2024 is finally welcoming customers into their new abode.
Alta Loma on Upper Maudlin Street is a taco eatery, bar and vinyl treasure trove waiting to be discovered.
Its much delayed opening was celebrated with an opening party on Saturday, with regular opening hours for the public commencing on Tuesday.
is needed now More than ever
Two barrels outside the shop were used as tables for drinks on their opening party on Saturday
People from neighbouring shops, friends and family thrived for the shop’s highly anticipated opening, that was “super busy the whole day”.
Now co-owners of the shop, Alex Studer and John Turner, met while studying at university, where they were also introduced to artist Rachel No, who has now painted the shopfront with a logo and sign.
The lettering on the window is an homage to band The Doors’ album Morrison Hotel, says Alex, who owns Stolen Body Records, many of which the shop sells.
Interior design for the shop was done by Emily Rickard, who owns a shop a few doors down from Alta Loma
The shop’s interior is curated by designer Emily Rickard, who runs her own shop Magasin a few doors away. This contributes to the sense of community spirit and enthusiasm that has gone into making Alta Loma a reality.
Despite the shop being only three days old, the team behind the tacos at Alta Loma are not new kids on the block. They have been doing day events at Astral Festival, a festival hosted by Alex’s record label and pop-ups all around Bristol, including Filthy XIII on Cheltenham Road and Moor Beer’s taproom on Days Road.
Co-owner John was seen preparing lemonade to quench visitors’ thirst on a very hot day
When speaking to Bristol24/7 Alex said that “it took us almost five years to find somewhere in Bristol to open up”. Alex emphasised that they continued doing pop-ups only “because we didn’t have somewhere to be”, making the opening of Alta Loma a relief as well as an adventure.
A plethora of options await hungry punters, with vegan and vegetarian options also available to choose from. Alex believes the plantain tacos are currently the most popular items on the menu.
Both Alex and John were inspired by the multitude of European bars they’d visited and wanted to create a place to get food, alcohol and tacos – all under one roof.
The area flows wonderfully with the bar and kitchen at the back of the space, meaning the natural light from the large window washes over the seating area in the front, making it feel light and airy as well as cosy and intimate due to the warm interior decoration.
During the relentless summer heat, Alta Loma’s many cold beverages are a respite, which can be paired very well with tacos and a wander around the cool basement of vinyl and other items.
All photos: Joanna Stopford
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