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THE BOXING GYM AND INCLINE ARTS -
THE BOXING GYM AND INCLINE ARTS -
A NEW CHAPTER FOR ONE OF BRISTOL'S FAVOURITE SPACES
A NEW CHAPTER FOR ONE OF BRISTOL'S FAVOURITE SPACES
As The Boxing Gym prepares for its final year of shows before redevelopment into a multi-purpose sports centre, we look back on a space that has shaped Bristol nightlife for over a decade. We hear from Incline Arts about what 2026 holds, and what might come next on their journey.
New Year’s Eve at The Boxing Gym has quietly become a Bristol ritual. Once the Christmas lull lifts and people drift back into the city, it’s a chance to dance into the new year with familiar faces and strangers alike.
This year, that ritual carried extra weight, with the news this January that The Boxing Gym and Incline Arts will host their final year of shows in 2026 before redevelopment begins in 2027. After more than a decade of late nights, creative experiments, and community-built events, an important chapter in Bristol’s cultural landscape is coming to an end.
We spoke to Incline Arts about what has made The Boxing Gym so special, why 2026 marks the final year, and what audiences can expect as the space enters its closing time.
OUR INTERVIEW WITH INCLINE ARTS FOUNDER:
OUR INTERVIEW WITH INCLINE ARTS FOUNDER:
What makes The Boxing Gym and Incline Arts unique within Bristol’s creative scene?
What makes The Boxing Gym and Incline Arts unique within Bristol’s creative scene?
"I think The Boxing Gym has always encouraged creativity through letting event producers and production companies work loose with their ideas. There’s something about the venue that inspires the people. The space was never designed to host events, so it’s always a creative challenge which pushes people to think differently.
Incline Arts, from the very beginning, has always been about bringing creatives and communities together, exploring new concepts and producing quality, meaningful events."
Why has 2026 been chosen as the final year for The Boxing Gym, and what has led to the decision to close?
Why has 2026 been chosen as the final year for The Boxing Gym, and what has led to the decision to close?
"The Riverside Youth Project is set to close temporarily as the building, along with others in the area, is due for redevelopment. The site will be rebuilt as a purpose-built sports and youth centre for the next generation.
So the decision isn’t really in our hands, but we believe the community will gain an important asset."
What are some of your favourite events held at The Boxing Gym, and what sort of programming and events can be expected for the final year?
What are some of your favourite events held at The Boxing Gym, and what sort of programming and events can be expected for the final year?
"Some of my favourite events across the last 2 years have come from teams like An Experience, Upside Sound, Tokio Station, Rave on Avon, to name a few. Our recent Usual Suspects NYE event was a special homage to the network and community we’ve built, so it had special meaning for the team.
We’ve spent a lot of time and effort making sure events this year are well-crafted and balanced, with community and experience being the main priority for bookings in 2026."
"We’ve got some amazing events lined up this year from the teams behind Balter, An Experience, and Wrong’uns for example. We will also be running The Usual Suspects as a series over the year, highlighting Bristol’s talented artists and performers, alongside several closing parties with some of our favourite and legacy events that have helped shape The Boxing Gym, with lots more to be announced soon."
Can you tell us anything about the new premises?
Can you tell us anything about the new premises?
"The Boxing Gym, as we know it, will be gone. In its place will be the new sports centre on the same grounds. Beyond that, we don’t yet know all the details, so we will have to wait and see."
Looking ahead, what do you hope people will remember most about The Boxing Gym, and how will that legacy shape Incline Arts’ next chapter?
Looking ahead, what do you hope people will remember most about The Boxing Gym, and how will that legacy shape Incline Arts’ next chapter?
"I hope people remember the freedom to express themselves, to create, dance, and connect. I’d love for people to look back on the relationships they formed and the experiences they shared across the many different events held here over the years.
Looking ahead, Incline Arts will be exploring other projects, some closer on the timeline than others. We’d love to establish another space to operate from and host events, alongside upcoming collaborations beyond Bristol, including a new festival and continuing our other community-based art projects, such as our Fishponds space, Rendezvous 17.
Like many organisations in events and culture-led industries, our future is uncertain. There are initiatives we’re connected with that support grassroots music and arts-focused businesses, but these conversations are happening over time. We remain optimistic as we determine our next steps over the coming year."
We’ll truly miss The Boxing Gym.
It was one of the very first venues we experienced when coming to Bristol, and it played a huge part in inspiring us to start documenting the incredible music and nightlife scene here.
Watching people meet new friends and experience some incredible shows has been so special, and Bristol has been very fortunate to have a space like this.
Huge credit to Incline Arts and the rest of the team behind every show for making it all possible.
Photos by Sinag Yuson + Grace Hyde
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