Our legendary bottomless roast returns for the festive season
Christmas in Nottingham has its own soundtrack: clinking glasses, the crackle of live music and the roar of a big match. Our legendary bottomless roast is back for the festive period, pairing a generous roast dinner with a timed allowance of included drinks at The Approach in the city centre. It is built for Christmas lunches that stretch into evening celebrations, team get-togethers and nights where nobody wants the meal to end too soon.
The setting makes it easy to turn dinner into an occasion. Major football, rugby, cricket, motorsport and golf share the big screens, while live bands and entertainment run every weekend. That mix of sporting drama, music and a proper roast gives Australian visitors a convincing reason to make the venue part of their Christmas plans, even when their own festive season happens under summer sun.
Why a bottomless feast suits the festive season
A traditional roast already wins on atmosphere: crisp roast potatoes, rich gravy, seasonal vegetables and a Yorkshire pudding are made for sharing stories and stealing the last crispy edge. The bottomless version adds a sociable countdown, letting the group settle in over the meal instead of watching the clock between courses. The generous spread gives every guest something to talk about, whether they came for the meat or the vegetables.
The appeal is simple but potent: order the festive feast and enjoy a published allowance of drinks during the package window. Beers, ales, wines and cocktails also feature across the wider drinks menu, while the exact pours included with the bottomless offer depend on its terms. Check that detail when booking, especially for a group with mixed tastes, and pace the glasses so the food gets the attention it deserves.
What to expect from the roast
The centrepiece is a traditional roast dinner, served with the trimmings that make this part of the country so satisfying. Gravy should arrive with the meal rather than as an afterthought, and the roast potatoes should be worth competing for. For guests who prefer something different, ask about the available menu and any vegetarian or dietary choices when making the reservation.
Timing matters with an unlimited drinking package. The current booking details set the start and finish of the session, the eligible drinks and the price, so a quick check before paying avoids surprises. If you are joining colleagues for a work Christmas lunch, choose a sitting that leaves time afterwards for the sports screens or a band; if you are on a tight schedule, the standard roast menu offers a more flexible alternative.
Sport, sound and the Nottingham buzz
Operated by Great Northern Inns Limited, The Approach is a Nottingham city-centre bar where sport and live entertainment share the floor. Its multiple HD screens create the sort of communal atmosphere that Australian fans recognise from a big footy day, only with a British licence, local ale and a roast on the side.
Live bands and weekend entertainment give the place a second rhythm, while special events and sports-related appearances can add an unexpected guest to the programme. You can watch a fixture, hear a set and stay for dinner without changing venues, which makes the festive period particularly convenient for groups planning a full Nottingham evening.
Before choosing a date, check The Approach's official site for the current menu, entertainment listings and festive availability. The details should be treated as the source of truth for timings and packages, especially when the diary is filling up.
Choosing the right festive menu option
The festive feast is the headline, but the broader menu gives different kinds of visitors a sensible fallback. Sunday roasts are part of the venue's regular offer, while pizzas, wines, cocktails, lagers and ales cover lighter meals and changing preferences. Regular food and drink promotions can also change the value of an evening, so check what is running on your chosen night.
The right choice depends on how you want the visit to feel. A traditional dinner keeps things straightforward, the bottomless package adds a celebration to a group occasion, and pizza suits a quicker stop or a mixed party. Whichever route you take, book early for the busiest festive dates and confirm any drink inclusions directly rather than assuming every promotion works in the same way.
| Menu choice | What the option brings | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional roast | Roast meat with sides such as potatoes, vegetables, gravy and a Yorkshire pudding, subject to the daily menu | A straightforward festive dinner |
| Bottomless roast | The festive roast plus a time-limited selection of included drinks | Groups celebrating with a set package |
| Pizza and drinks | Pizza from the regular menu, with drinks chosen separately | A lighter meal or a mixed group |
An Australian angle on a British Christmas
The biggest adjustment for Australians is the calendar. Christmas Day falls in the middle of the Australian summer, when a family lunch often means seafood, sunshine and a long day outdoors. Nottingham's festive feast arrives in midwinter instead, making it an unusual but welcome change of scene: hot food, a lively bar and a crowd ready to celebrate.
Aussies also have Christmas in July traditions, and Boxing Day carries a different memory here too: in Australia it is strongly associated with cricket and a relaxed family occasion, while in Nottingham it sits at the heart of the festive get-together. Australians may call an afternoon sitting arvo, while Nottingham locals are more likely to say teatime. The drinks package also follows UK bar rules rather than the BYO custom common in many Australian pubs.
Sport closes the cultural loop. The Ashes and other cricket fixtures have an obvious pull for Australian visitors, while football and rugby provide the familiar communal focus of a footy afternoon. Nottingham's version is not trying to reproduce an Australian stadium; it offers something more relaxed, with an English roast, a local pint and new people to cheer alongside. That local mix sits within a broader creative city, and Nottingham creative studio is a useful place to discover more of Nottingham's contemporary character beyond the screens and the dining room.
Making the booking work for your group
Christmas and New Year dates go quickly, particularly for groups wanting to sit together and watch a match. Book festive dates early, check the service time for your preferred day and ask about deposits or any minimum spend stated in the booking terms. The same applies if you are combining the meal with a special event or a sports-related appearance.
Set a shared budget before the evening starts. Included drinks make the bottomless package easy to manage, but optional rounds and cocktails still add up, and promotions may not cover every item on the list. Adults who do not drink can focus on the food and entertainment, while drivers and non-drinkers can stay for the roast, the screens and the band without joining the package.
Getting there is simpler than it sounds. The venue is in Nottingham city centre, so the tram, bus, a short walk or a taxi can take the stress out of the return journey. Wear something comfortable for a long, lively evening, and plan a safe way home if the included drinks are flowing.
Make your festive booking now
Reserve your place for the return of our legendary bottomless roast, then build the rest of the night around it. Choose a date that suits your group, check the latest festive menu and package details, and confirm the booking before the busiest weekends arrive. A good roast, a lively crowd and plenty on the screens can turn a simple meal into the best part of Christmas.
Bring your friends, family or work crew, arrive ready for generous plates and good cheer, and settle in for a festive feast that feels unmistakably Nottingham. Our legendary bottomless roast is back for the season, and the only thing missing is your booking.