NEWS

BRISTOL GARDENS AND GRILL OPENING SECOND LOCATION AT THE PATIO AT BRISTOL SPORTSPLEX

BRISTOL, Tenn. (Tuesday, April 8, 2025) – Bristol Gardens and Grill, which opened in 2018 in Bristol, Va., is expanding with a second location coming to The Patio at Bristol Sportsplex. 

The popular restaurant, which features wood-smoked meats, will have a soft opening at The Patio on Friday, April 11, from 5-8 p.m., and be open over the weekend from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. both days. 

The veteran and family-owned restaurant was voted Yelp’s best barbecue restaurant in Virginia in 2019 and was established as a community-oriented business, a principle that owner Matt Shy genuinely believes in.

“Since day one, we’ve been community-oriented, and Matt and Hollie (Lavinder) at the Sportsplex have been the same, so it feels like a natural partnership,” said Shy, who will cater events from both locations. We’re really excited about this opportunity, and I think the athletes and general public alike will appreciate the healthy type of cooking that we put into our menu.” 

Bristol Gardens and Grill began at its Vance Drive location with the aim of providing a fresh, affordable dining option for the area. The restaurant features locally sourced items, fresh produce, and herbs, and it prepares all of its homemade dishes from uniquely regional ingredients recipes.

Hollie Lavinder, who co-owns The Patio and Sportsplex with her husband Matt, looks forward to having Bristol Gardens and Grill on-site. 

“The food is amazing,” she said. “Our family has been frequent guests at Bristol Gardens and Grill for the last five years, and we’ve never been disappointed. The restaurant has always been very popular, so we’re really looking forward to having Matt showcase his menu here at The Patio.

“We love partnering with other businesses in Bristol and know that this will be a wonderful addition to the Bristol community with its locally sourced and grown food, as well as the extensive restaurant management expertise Matt brings to the table.”

The Bristol Gardens and Grill menu features pulled and sliced pork, smoked chicken, ribs, brisket, homemade pimento cheese, various sandwiches, nachos, Brunswick stew, an assortment of sides, and much more.

The restaurant will open on April 11 with a limited menu and operating hours, which will expand once it is fully staffed.