Bars and Pubs in Bristol

Here’s just a selection of the some of the venues drawing local professionals in drives eager to quench their thirst.

The White Lion (Avon Gorge Hotel)

Often the first port of call for outsiders wanting to get a taste of what Bristol life is like, enjoying a sundowner on the terrace of the White Lion looking over the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge is an experience not to be missed. Complete with heatlamps and umbrellas, it’s a truly year-round venue, with legendary hog-roasts and bank holiday barbecues, and plenty of room for both the suits and swarms of Bristol University students alike. And for big sporting events it even has gigantic portable screens, making any match truly memorable (whatever the result).

Ha Ha Bar & Grill

Primely situated at the top of Park Street on the historic Berkeley Square, ha ha perfectly combines traditional Georgian grandeur with a modern, light touch, making it one of the city’s favourites. With an impressive, constantly changing menu comprising the freshest local fare, you have the choice of the modern interior or expansive courtyard to kick back and relax with something from their simple – but simply irresistible – menu, washed down with one of their 25 wines available by the glass. And within stumbling distance of the docks and Clifton, it makes the perfect starting point should the evening progress.

The Apple

Arguably the gate to the cider world, the Apple bar down on the Welsh Back section of the harbour offers the perfect taster of why the teenagers’ staple should be quaffed by adults too. There are over 40 variations of ‘apple magic’ to choose from, including parries and the legendary Old Bristolian cider, only sold in halves due to its potent 8.4% alcohol content. To complete the deal, there’s a range of local cheese and meats on offer to help mop-up any excesses, and even cider ice lollies in the summer to cool you down. And the converted Dutch Barge has claim on being the best water-front venue of them all, with rowers and swans cruising past as you soak up the atmosphere.

Bar Humbug

Cocktail heaven right in the epicentre of the ‘sunset strip’ on Whiteladies Road, Bar Humbug’s shakers and mixers never disappoint. On top of the core 18 on the menu, the wonderfully over-enthusiastic staff can mix any cocktail on request, as well as providing all the usual drafts and bottles the less adventurous might revert to. Get there early to bag one of the 20 seats spilling out on to the pavement to watch Bristol heat-up as the sun goes down – and sample the delights of the Bedouin-based authentic Moroccan fare for a truly cosmopolitan experience.

The Cambridge Arms

One of the most popular Redland boozers, the Cambridge arms is the perfect fusion of fun and family – as well as being one of the area’s biggest live sports venues, there’s an expansive beer garden out back to relax in while kids run wild (giving those of us without children some peace and quiet in the main bar). Being a Fuller pub, there’s no shortage of real ales, with seven local favourites on tap to wet your whistle, including Gales Seafarers and organic Honeydew. The food menu also has a strangely nautical theme, specialising in the freshest local fish, with ‘light bites’ for those who don’t necessarily want the full monty. And don’t miss the Sunday night quiz to sharpen your grey matter after a weekend of letting it all go. Tel: 0117 9739786 (Coldharbour Road, BS67JS)

The Duke of York

How pubs are meant to be, this St Werburgh’s favourite is well off the beaten track, but worth every missed-turn. Last year’s CAMRA Bristol & District pub of the year, on top of the best line-up of ales in the area, there’s a whole floor upstairs devoted to gaming (from skittles to fuss ball), a beer garden with a retractable sail, an uber-cool chill-out room and the kind of intimate downstairs bar that will make you ask locals to draw you a map of how to get back here again. Playing an eclectic selection of music worthy of the St Werburgh’s mix, don’t miss the hand-painted murals and bizarre bric-a-brac littering every nook and cranny. Tel: 0117 9413677 (2 Jubilee Road, BS2 9RS).

Goldbrick House

Set apart from the majority of Park Street’s haunts by its distinctly upmarket feel, this new addition to the Bristol bar scene has everything. Born out of the conversion of two Georgian houses, it’s set over three floors, offering an informal groundfloor café/bar serving everything from Leffes to lattes, while the second two floors boast elegant dining with a rooftop terrace looking back up Constitution Hill, along with a champagne bar and cocktail lounge, and plush drinking rooms that can be booked for private functions. Perhaps the real appeal of Goldbrick house is its warren-like layout, so whichever room you’re in you feel like you could be in a private members’ bar, with clientele to match. And despite having two AA rosettes under its belt, it’s also refreshingly affordable.

The Pumphouse

Just a stroll down the hill from the noise of Clifton, this dockside oasis has recently had a complete renovation to restore all its original features and make it one of Bristol’s best boozers. With all the real ale on offer anyone could ask for, it also has a menu offering award-winning English fare (put together by experienced chef Toby Gritten, previously with The Albion and Bell’s Diner), with the opportunity for the best al fresco dining in town. Book early to bag a table during the Harbour Festival (www.bristolharbourfestival.co.uk) to watch the myriad boats sail by.

Harvey Nichols Bar

Injecting £500 million into the new Cabot Circus shopping centre has brought a stylish new edge to city centre drinking – if you can afford Jimmy Choo and Christian Louboutin heels, this cocktail bar is the perfect way to celebrate a successful day’s shopping. Minimalist but uber-chique, get into the Bristol spirit with cocktails including the SS Great Britain and the Cabot Collins, not to mention more vintages of champagne than anywhere else in the city (including Hennessy Richard H, a glass of which will set you back £265). Or for bargain pampering, try Campari Aperitivo Time from 6-7.30pm, when you can enjoy two Campari Aperitivo cocktails and a selection of Italian canapés for just £15.

Revolution

This stylish bar-restaurant is a firm favourite amongst locals not wanting to be given the ‘last orders’ warning as things start to hot-up. Set in a former fish market, the huge range of vodkas combined with the late-night DJ set-up to get the whole venue dancing come midnight, and with two more hours to go before doors close, you really won’t want to head home early. Book the mezzanine for private functions, slip into the pristine garden for some fresh air and take advantage of the cocktails list to get a real flavour of what’s on offer.

The Rummer Hotel

A truly classy city centre venue, you’ll be spoilt for choice on the drinks front, with over 400 spirits on offer as well as a wine and beer cellar that leaves most customers needing guidance from the superb staff. Refurbished in 2005, it’s also got some of the best food in town – from brunch to dinner – and right next to Saint Nicholas market, it’s a genuine gem waiting to be found. And because of the constantly effective door presence, you won’t have your evening spoilt by some of the rougher Corn Street elements looking to prove their egos on the drinks list.

Robin Hood’s Retreat

One of the newly reinvented pubs on the bustling Gloucester Road in Bishopston, with eight regularly changing real ales on draught, little wonder it’s full of such merry men (and maids). The award-winning gastropub manages to combine the atmosphere of a truly great boozer with top-notch local food – try the 10-course taster for a sample of everything that’s good about truly local South West produce. And the Sunday lunches of British classics using French techniques like the fabulous Wootton Bassett lamb rump, would satisfy even the most discerning Friar Tuck.

For more reviews and listings, see: www.venue.co.uk and www.bristolnightclubs.info

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