How a Bristol Pub Became Home to 15 Furry Employees

When Luke Daniels opened the Bag of Nails Pub in Bristol, UK in 2011, he had a clear vision. He wanted to create a friendly spot where folks could hang out, play games, and enjoy music together. What he didn't plan for was a staff of furry, four-legged employees.

An Unexpected First Customer

During the pub's opening week, a lonely stray kitten named Malcolm kept showing up among the human customers. This furry visitor became such a regular that Luke made a decision - he hired Malcolm and gave him a permanent home at the pub.

The Cat Family Grows

About eight months after Malcolm moved in, another cat named Beresford thought pub life looked pretty nice too. She followed Malcolm's lead and joined the Bag of Nails family.

Not long after Beresford's arrival, the sound of tiny paws could be heard throughout the pub as a litter of kittens was born. This trend kept going, and before long, the Bag of Nails became home to 15 cats in total.

Luke made sure all the cats were spayed and neutered to keep the cat-to-human employee ratio under control. After all, a pub can only handle so many feline workers!

More Than Just a Cat Pub

While Bag of Nails is now lovingly known as "the cat pub," Luke wants people to know there's more to it than just the furry friends who live there.

He takes pride in the pub's small-town feel where everyone knows each other. Customers can count on affordable and tasty drinks, plus fun events that bring the community together.

The cats who call Bag of Nails home are just a bonus feature - though they're certainly a popular one! They add an extra layer of comfort and charm to this unique Bristol pub that started with one simple goal: to be a friendly place for people to gather.

So if you find yourself in Bristol looking for a pint with a side of purrs, you know where to go.