I'm not even gonna pretend I'm not angry about this one. Four Wise Monkeys - that funky little Asian spot tucked away on Clare Street - has officially closed its doors after a decade of feeding Bristol's hungry masses. And why? Because some faceless landlord decided to jack up their rent by a whopping 25%. Twenty-five freaking percent!
God. Remember when Bristol's Old City was actually filled with quirky independents instead of soulless chains?
The Death of Another Independent (While Chains Circle Like Sharks)
I walked past Four Wise Monkeys last summer during that ridiculous heatwave we had. The place was packed, steam billowing from the kitchen, people laughing over bowls of ramen. Now it's just... empty.
Nathan Lee, who co-founded the Hyde & Co Group (they run like half the decent places in Bristol), explained they simply couldn't swallow the insane rent hike. "We've been custodians of the building for over 10 years now and seen our fair share of ups and downs," he told me when I messaged him about it. The poor guy sounded exhausted.
They've sold the building.
What the hell happened to this neighborhood?
According to Nathan, "I think we're one of the last independents on teh street." He's not wrong. I counted on my way to work yesterday - it's basically a parade of corporate logos now. Those chains have deep pockets, happily paying rents that would bankrupt most independent restaurants within months.
My friend Ellie (who worked at The Milk Thistle for years) texted me: "It's like watching vultures pick at a carcass." Harsh but accurate.
The Hyde & Co crew had pumped "more than half a million pounds" into that building over the years. Half. A. Million. And now they're walking away with nothing but memories and delivery plans.
So What Made This Place Special Anyway?
For those who never got to experience it (and now never will... thanks, capitalism), Four Wise Monkeys wasn't just another Asian restaurant. Their menu was this wild fusion of traditional flavors with modern twists that somehow actually worked.
I still dream about their kimchi fries from that time I went there after breaking up with my ex in 2019. Nothing heals heartbreak like spicy fermented cabbage on potatoes, lemme tell you.
The ramen? Ridiculous. Those bao buns? Heaven. And don't even get me started on their sushi, which was always fresh and beautifully presented - not like that conveyor belt garbage you get at the chains.
A Glimmer of Hope... Sort Of
There is one tiny silver lining in this depressing cloud. Nathan confirmed they're keeping the Four Wise Monkeys brand alive through delivery services while they scout for a new location. Plus, they managed to keep The Raven (which occupies the upper floors) in operation.
"As a company we're looking forward to a decent Summer. The city feels like it's coming alive again after a long, hard Winter," Nathan added, trying to sound optimistic.
I want to believe him. I really do.
The Replacement (Spoiler: It's Another Chain)
Wanna guess what's replacing this beloved local institution? Flat Iron Steak Ltd. Yep, another chain restaurant that already has outposts in London, Manchester, Leeds, and Cambridge. They've already filed paperwork for new signage.
Look, I've eaten at Flat Iron in London. It's... fine. Perfectly adequate steak at a reasonable price. But it's the same experience whether you're in Cambridge or Bristol. That's literally the opposite of what made Four Wise Monkeys special.
The Hospitality Bloodbath Continues
This isn't just a Bristol problem. The UK hospitality scene is getting absolutely hammered right now.
In London, Veeraswamy - literally the oldest Indian restaurant in the entire country - is fighting for survival after nearly 100 years. Their landlord won't renew their lease because... offices are more profitable? Co-owner Ranjit Mathrani didn't mince words: "They don't care a bugger for history."
Back in March, Peterborough lost both Franco Manca and Harvester ON THE SAME DAY. Franco Manca barely lasted 3 years there.
Even Michelin-starred places aren't immune. Hakkasan shuttered its original Hanway Place location after 24 years. Twenty-four years!
The Brutal Truth About Running Restaurants in 2025
I spent $40 on dinner last night and felt guilty about it. That's the problem in a nutshell.
Nathan summed it up perfectly: "As margins get shrunk by inflation, increases in fixed costs and labour costs, there is very little room to make profit." Restaurants are getting squeezed from every direction - food costs, energy bills, staff wages, and now predatory rent increases.
My cousin opened a café in Bath last year. His response when I told him about Four Wise Monkeys: "already updating my resume."
Craig Rachel from AlixPartners (those business consultant types) warns that "the build-up of external pressures in 2024 is significant" and "consumer spending is still under strain." No kidding, Sherlock.
I'll miss you, Four Wise Monkeys. Your kimchi fries got me through some dark times.
And to the landlord who raised the rent by 25%? I hope your next meal is eternally bland.
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