Two arrested after alleged fight at bar

POLICE have arrested two men following a reported fight in a city centre bar.

A 22-year-old Bristol man was taken to hospital with a wrist injury after a disturbance in Park Street’s Elbow Room around 12.18am on Saturday.

Police cordoned off an area of the road and arrested two Bristol men, aged 20 and 21, on suspicion of affray and wounding with intent, before releasing them under investigation.

An Elbow Room spokeswoman said there were three or four men each in the two groups who were allegedly fighting.

She added: “It’s not something we could have stopped. They seemed to already know each other.

“It was literally two groups, not a massive brawl. There were no knives involved, just some glass.

“Our doormen were immediately on the scene. We contacted the police and they got there straight away and took over. They were brilliant. Everybody involved has been barred. Everyone is finding the social distancing in bars and pubs difficult, but we’re being as stringent as possible.”

The Elbow Room, which reopened on July 4 in line with coronavirus lockdown easing, has changed its policy as a result of the incident.

The spokeswoman said: “Before we were doing 75 per cent table bookings and 25 per cent walk-ins, but now it’s 100 per cent bookings. We’re operating a very strict booking policy – you need a booking to come in.”

An Avon and Somerset police spokeswoman said: “Two men, aged 20 and 21, from Bristol were arrested on suspicion of affray and wounding with intent. They have been released under investigation, pending further enquiries.”

Police are asking any witnesses to contact them on 101, quoting reference 5220 152 769.