Our Story

Transforming a derelict industrial space to a respected creative institution has not been a straightforward process. Driven by ambition, passion and a vision to leave a lasting stitch on Bristol’s cultural tapestry, the Jam Jar’s team have poured in everything they have to continue the legacy of the space until now, and this journey is far from over. 

In the Spring of 2014, a collective of creatives came together to hire a warehouse unit. Money was borrowed, savings were spent, and with an original investment of less than £15,000 The Jam Jar was born! Over the years people have come and gone, but their influences will always remain.

For four years The Jam Jar operated as an informal music venue and arts space for a growing community of Bristol creatives, serving as a melting pot for grassroots projects. Over time we realised that to be truly sustainable we would need to get our act together and secure a premises license. Until this point, for every penny raised, two were spent on constant renovations.

In November 2017 we launched a crowdfunding campaign. Received brilliantly by our supporters, hundreds of people donated thousands of pounds, and during the time we received praise and encouragement from local, national and international creative treasures. A new organisational structure formed, new bonds emerged, and our license application was developed with support from the local authorities. 

We were awarded a premises license in July 2019 and since then we have continued to work tirelessly to facilitate musical and artistic development. We’ve had the pleasure of hosting touring musicians from South America, The Caribbean, Africa, Eastern Europe, The Middle East, New Zealand and beyond. In one year we can draw up to 22,000 visitors and 500 performers. Our eclectic programme and penchant for high quality sound ignites a passion for music and art that inspires us, our employees, performers and guests.