BRISTOL

An odd looking free house on a roundabout just down from the Hope and Anchor. A small shop front gives way to a small long bar the length of the main room. Wooden floors and a 'real' (gas) fire under a large mirror. The single room is cozy but could get very cramped if busy. There is a single inglenook seat. Look at the floor by the fireplace as there are two lit glass holes through to the cellar, though you cant see very much. On the walls are old pictures of Bristol. Beers on at the time were Butts Barbus Barbus, Adnams Oyster Stout, and Smiles Best. No food is served here. Access is possible for the disabled, but the toilets are small and horrid!!!! No accommodation here. Check out the web site: Bagonails

A small single room pub with a bar to the left of the entrance (Wickwar BOB and Olde Merryford and RCH Pitchfork on it). Benches around the wall near dark wood tables, dark carpet, wood panelling on walls and bar. Beer garden, or rather alley with one table and three chairs - BBQ there as well. Live music Monday nights. We had a strange look when we asked for our beer to be topped up when given with large head. The pub's on a residential street with multi-coloured houses. A local's pub near university, no accommodation. A step into the pub so not great for the disabled - toilets basic and cramped.

For a brewery tap (Smiles) the bar in here is very small. Situated not far from the Christmas steps on the way to the Bristol Royal Infirmary this is a wide building and on the left you can see the huge mash tuns that serve Smile’s 15 tied houses. Once inside there are two rooms. The one to the left is where the bar is situated. This is a small ‘U’ shaped bar and on show were three of the brewery’s beers; Best Bitter, Golden Brew and Heritage. A fourth, Bristol Stout went on later in the evening. The second room has many partitions and is narrow, but you can feel quite secluded. Both rooms are done out in bright pine from floor to ceiling including furniture which can be a little off-putting. Large windows allow lots of light in. toilets are upstairs so not good for the disabled. Food is served here, but there are many cafés nearby. No accommodation here.

Another of Wetherspoons conversions, this time from a gentleman’s club. Large high centre bar and usual Wetherspoon decor, though gas lights are the feature here. The ceiling is high which gives it the feeling and sound of a hall. While Wetherspoons are good cheap places to drink, this one was looking tired on a Thursday night at 11pm. Very popular with local youth as are the other establishments in the street. Wheelchair access is possible through a side door. Food is served all day and is cheap but tasty. Beers on at the time were: Butcombe Bitter and Hop Back Summer Lightening. No accommodation here.

A recent facelift has given this pub a new look, but the beers inside are still the same great choice it’s always been. Entry is up a step through a narrow doorway making it difficult for the disabled. As you enter you are almost facing the bar which is along the wall to the left. There are usually four to five beers here. On at the time were among others, Church End Classic Gold Radio and Smiles Bristol Porter and RCH East St Cream. All were kept and served well. Facing the bar is a leaning shelf on the opposite wall that also has some high stools to sit at it. At the far end of the bar is a real fireplace, but it doesn't keep the rest of the pub warm, only up here and the entrances to the toilets, which are here also. The other seating area is at the front of the pub and has picture windows, rather like shops. You sit here on the windowsill with a cushion at square dark wood tables complimented with similar chairs. The pub is carpeted throughout, though this has seen better days. Food is served here lunch and evenings, though check at weekends first. The choices are good and there is always something for the vegetarian to eat that is not the usual boring lasagne. Prices are fair for the city and portions are OK. No accommodation here.

This is a students and staff pub very close to the university of Bristol. It has two bars, but the small one is just that. The larger bar reminds you of a firkin with lots of dark wood floors and furniture. Many benches - not padded and tall wooden partitions to give an olde worlde feel. Out back is a covered patio area, but the view is of a brick wall. Inside lighting levels are low, low, low! This is made up for by the lack of music so you can talk to your friends. Pub has different levels and is a climb to get out to the beer garden, so not good for the disabled. Toilets are also down a flight of stairs. Beer choice is very good. On at the time were Smiles Golden, Best, Heritage, Brains SA, Greene King Hair Raiser, Bunces Sign of Spring, plus two others. This range is available all through the week. Food is served lunch times and up to 8.30 Mon-Fri. can get smokey. No accommodation here.

This pub is close to the water on the edge of town opposite Constitution Hill. It doesn't look much from the outside with plain big windows and half curtains, but don't be fooled as the inside is all traditional wooden floors chairs and tables. Some pews and a secluded area for two in a corner near the beer cellar on the way to the toilets. The 'L' shaped bar (round to right on entrance) has old hops around it and the bar back is ancient 1950's. They usually have five beers on but only three when visited: Otter Bitter, Butts Barbus Barbus, and Feilinfoel Double Dragon. Food is served all day and is rather sumptuous with Falafel, chicken and many sandwiches. The ploughman's is famous round these parts and you have a choice of over 15 different cheeses, spicy chicken and pate to have with it. It comes not on a plate, but a carving plate! It comes in at just £5.75. There are also a good few choices for veggies. That said it's not a family pub. The secluded raised beer garden (with lots of steps) out back is good for the summer. Disabled access is possible, though the toilets are small and narrow. Look out for the pub cat. No accommodation here.

This looks like a renovated house from the outside and is not large on the inside. The use of wood panelled walls doesn't help. Bright wooden chairs tables are placed round the edge of the room along with some cushioned pews. All eight tables are round the 'L' shaped bar. There is a real fireplace with a gas effect burner. The bar is wooden with a high glass shelf and mirrored bar back. Sky TV (not always on) is available for those who like their sport. The toilets are almost Victorian with urinals you can flush yourself! Food only at lunch time (not Sun) but it's rather good. There is free salsa (very tasty) and tortilla chips on the bar Friday's. Access for the disabled is possible. There are seats outside in summer. No accommodation here.

Other Pubs of Interest.

Reckless Engineer,
Hare On The Hill.
Bridge Inn (Bath Spa ales), 16 Passage St.