04/10/2025
Bristol Bear Bar, the legendary venue on the junction of Midland Road and West Street, has been among the many scene sources to pay tribute to Hairy Mary, a much loved figure from the Bristol and Caerdydd / Cardiff gay scenes, who has passed on to the realm of our LGBTQIA ancestors. A Bear Bar spokesperson said "This week, the Bristol music scene lost one of its most unforgettable characters. Hairy Mary, the Welsh bear with a heart as big as his laugh and a wardrobe as minimal as his inhibitions, has sadly passed away. For those lucky enough to have known him, Hairy Mary was more than just a fixture in the crowd—he was the crowd. A man of boundless energy, infectious enthusiasm, and a deep love for disco and cheesy pop music, he brought joy, chaos, and colour wherever he went. Whether dancing shirtless at the front of the dancefloor or sharing a pint with strangers, he embodied the spirit of the scene. He was a regular at some of Bristol’s most iconic gay venues, such as The Elephant, Oasis, The Griffin, Queenshilling, The Pineapple and BBB, each one echoing with memories of his unmistakable presence. " ShoutOut's team would like to echo this fitting tribute to the man and legend that was Hairy Mary. A product of the gay scene when it was much more close knit, underground than today and offered real social solidarity, we will not in all probability see his like again, which makes the time he spent sharing our spaces, music and laughter, all the more precious.
