O2 Academy, Bristol

The O2 Academy Bristol, formerly known as the Locarno and then the Carling Academy Bristol, is a popular music venue located in the heart of Bristol. Operated by the Academy Music Group, the venue has been hosting club nights and gigs since its opening in 2001.

In 2009, the venue underwent a name change after sponsorship was taken over by telecommunications company O2 from Carling, and it was officially renamed the O2 Academy. It was the third Academy venue to be established in the UK.

Interestingly, the O2 Academy Bristol has a rich history and was originally part of the Mecca Leisure Group's New Entertainments Centre, which opened in 1966. The Centre was home to a grand cinema, a dozen licensed bars, an ice rink, bowling lanes, the Craywood Club casino, and a nightclub, among other attractions. The ballroom even had an illuminated ceiling.

However, over the years, the Centre fell into disrepair, and only the ice rink and cinema survived. Eventually, in 1998, the rest of the Centre was demolished, and the site was transformed into student accommodation. The cinema itself closed in 1996 and was converted into a nightclub in 2000, originally called "Rock" before becoming the Carling Academy soon after.

Today, the O2 Academy continues to be a popular destination for live music and club events, attracting both local and international artists to its stage. With its rich history and prime location in the vibrant city of Bristol, it remains a favorite venue for music lovers and concert-goers alike.