World famous comic's distillery buys Bristol gin company
What's OnWhat's On NewsPubs and bars in BristolThe gin company's floating bar venue looks to have been sold12:15, 02 Jul 2026A distillery co-owned by actor and comedian Ricky Gervais has bought a well-known. . .
What's OnWhat's On NewsPubs and bars in BristolThe gin company's floating bar venue looks to have been sold12:15, 02 Jul 2026A distillery co-owned by actor and comedian Ricky Gervais has bought a well-known Bristol gin company. Ellers Farm Distillery, a North Yorkshire-based distillery known for award-winning spirits like Dutch Barn vodka, has acquired Bristol-based 6 O'Clock Gin, and now it is believed that the 6 O'Clock Gin's Glassboat venue in Welsh Back has been sold to new owners. It has not yet been confirmed as to whether Ellers Farm Distillery is behind the purchase. BristolLive has approached both Ellers Farm Distillery and 6 O'Clock Gin for comment. Ricky Gervais shared a photo of a bottle of 6 O'Clock Gin and wrote: "To expand my business empire, Dutch Barn have acquired the fantastic 6 O’clock Gin. You can order it from our website now. In fact, you can get it for half price if you buy a bottle of Dutch Barn. Bargain. "The star, who is known alongside Bristol's ownStephen Merchantas being a co-creator of The Office, and has since gone on to have a huge career globally, announced in late 2023 that he would be joining Ellers Farm Distillery as the new co-owner. Ellers Farm started in 2014 when founder Chris Fraser began making cider at his home. 6 O'Clock Gin began life nearly 30 years ago on a small fruit farm in Devon and has since grown into a Bristol business that includes a waterfront ginbar- The Glassboat - and selling gin to Europe, USA, Canada and South-East Asia, to name but a few. Content cannot be displayed without consentThe Glassboatwas last sold in 2023, after sitting empty for a year. In July 2022,Bristol Livereported thatthe price had been slashed by around £100,000after failing to find a buyer. Article continues belowThe restaurant was thought to be priced at around £750,000, which included the barge, all company assets, fixtures, fittings and mooring licence, which was listed at the time as being around £11,200. In a since removed listing online, The Glassboat - a 120ft vessel - was described as being 'available as a going concern and fully fitted', and 'recently renovated to a high specification and fully fitted restaurant/bar with 170 covers, premises licence for alcohol, music and late night'. There was a guide price listed of £425,000. In an article byThe Grocerin August 2025, Ellers Farm Distillery reportedly said it planned to 'expand distribution and marketing efforts' for 6 O'Clock Gin following the acquisition. Choose Bristol Live as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value. Food and DrinkPubs and bars in Bristol