The Chair of the Supporters Club & Trust, Stu Rogers, shares his views on the issues facing the North Street venue commonly known as the “Spanish Bar”
Football is all about community. Yes, at times the football is good, but really it’s about the locality, the people, the laughs and all the other good things that happen before and after games.
My typical match day can look different depending on travel. When driving, it’s straight into the Supporters Club & Trust (SC&T) Bar at Ashton Gate. I am the Chair and it can often include some official responsibilities along with meeting up with the 100 or so members (maximum bar capacity) that come in for a pre-match drink.
On another day, I roll off the train at around 10am and take a route with my son and mates, that over the years has been a well-worn path. A breakfast at a Wetherspoons, a wander up to see Sean Donnelly at The Three Lions in West Street, trickle down to the Masonic in North Street for a couple more and then stop by to see David Wilson at the Spanish Bar (or it’s official name, El Rincón), before heading to the ground for kick off. I have been gradually inducting my Manchester United-supporting neighbour into Bristol City life and he loves it. The street art, the atmosphere, the accent, the cider, the uniqueness that is a match day in Bedminster.
I am looking forward to heading down this Saturday for the season opener against Millwall. Although, my usual pre-season optimism has been tempered somewhat by the news that one of my usual watering holes is under threat from a licence review. What? Why? It’s a tapas bar during the week and a place for mates to get a pre-match beer on match days. It’s the only place I get to bump into certain old timers like me, former Supporters Club Chairmen and those faces that we have all seen at grounds up and down the country that you recognise, even if you can’t remember their names these days. You know the ones.
I’ve never experienced any trouble there. Fans are respectful. A visiting Norwich City fan of about my vintage popped in for the toilet two seasons back. Just some good-natured jeering and banter. You will often hear “mind your backs lads” out on the pavement to let people pass and that from the younger lot as well.
One of the benefits of redeveloping Ashton Gate and not moving to a new site is that it protected local businesses and helped them to continue to thrive. So, I hope that we can preserve as many family and community-based traditions as possible and at the same time continue to enjoy what is that unique experience of being a City fan, because make no mistake, we are different.
This statement was written following a statement released on the El Rincón website in June 2026, which you can read HERE.
El Rincón have confirmed that their licensing hearing with Bristol City Council will take place on Thursday 20th August 2026. You also read that statement HERE
Photo courtesy El Rincón