St Nicholas Market's indoor hall is open Monday to Saturday, 9.30am to 5pm, and it's been trading on this site since 1743, making it one of Bristol's oldest continuously used markets. It sits inside The Exchange, a Grade I listed 18th-century building in the old city, just off Corn Street.
What's actually inside
St Nick's, as locals call it, is Bristol's largest collection of independent traders under one roof. Expect a mix of street food stalls, vintage and second-hand clothing, jewellery, records, books, and craft stalls, rather than a conventional supermarket-style market. It rewards a slow browse rather than a quick in-and-out, since a lot of what's interesting here is tucked into smaller stalls rather than laid out on the main thoroughfare.
The different markets on site
St Nicholas Market isn't just one market, it's a cluster of them running on different schedules:
| Market | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| St Nicholas Indoor Market | Monday to Saturday | 9.30am to 5pm |
| Bristol Indies' Market | Monday to Saturday | 10am to 5pm |
| Street Food Market | First Friday of the month | 11am to 2.30pm |
Outdoor market trading days and times are more likely to change than the indoor hall, so if you're planning a trip specifically around the Street Food Market or an outdoor stall day, check the market's social media for the latest details before you go.
A building with real history
The Exchange building itself dates from 1741 to 1743, designed by John Wood the Elder, the Bath architect behind the Royal Crescent. It started life as a corn exchange, gained a roof over its central hall in 1869, and had an upper storey and glass roof added by 1872. That original glass roof was destroyed during the Second World War and replaced in 1949, which is the roof still in place today. In the 1960s the hall doubled as a live music venue, hosting the Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds and Cream among others. It's now a Grade I listed building under Bristol City Council's ownership, and the Exchange remains the last building of its kind from that era.
Outside the Exchange on Corn Street, you'll also spot four bronze tables known as The Nails, thought to be where merchants settled cash transactions, which is the likely origin of the phrase "pay on the nail."
Getting there and what to combine it with
St Nicholas Market sits right in the old city, an easy walk from the Harbourside and Corn Street's other historic buildings. If you're spending a day in this part of Bristol, pair a market visit with a wander through our Bristol Harbourside guide, or use our things to do hub to build out a fuller itinerary around it.
If you're hungry after browsing, the market's own street food stalls are a good option, but our best restaurants in Bristol and best cafes in Bristol guides cover sit-down options nearby if you'd rather take a proper break. It's also a reasonable stop on a rainy day since it's fully indoors, so it pairs well with the ideas in our Bristol in the rain guide.
FAQs
What are St Nicholas Market's opening hours? The main indoor market is open Monday to Saturday, 9.30am to 5pm. The Bristol Indies' Market runs the same days, 10am to 5pm.
Is St Nicholas Market open on Sundays? No, the regular indoor trading days are Monday to Saturday.
When does the Street Food Market run? It runs on the first Friday of the month, from 11am to 2.30pm.
How old is St Nicholas Market? Trading on this site dates back to 1743, and the current Exchange building was completed between 1741 and 1743.
Is St Nicholas Market good for a rainy day? Yes, the indoor hall is fully covered, making it a solid option when the weather turns, unlike some of Bristol's outdoor markets and street art trails.
Where is St Nicholas Market in Bristol? It's inside The Exchange building on Corn Street, in the old city area near the Harbourside and Castle Park.