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Seamus O'Donnells, Bristol

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user reviews of Seamus O'Donnells, Bristol

please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.

A traditional street corner boozer that seems to have remained relatively unaffected by the trendy bars nearby and remains all the better for it. It�s a single room pub with dark wooden flooring, a fire roaring away at one end and some good sized windows to sit and watch the world passing by. There was a plasma up above the door, but fortunately the volume was muted and this was not at all obtrusive.

As far as I know, this was the original Irish pub in Bristol, and remains the best. Certainly the Irishness seems more genuine than many of the mass produced bars that have sprung up since, even though the friendly barman was clearly not from the Emerald Isle. The d�cor includes a rather sombre shade of maroon on the ceilings and green paint on the woodwork which closely matches the upholstery on the chairs. There�s some old fashioned wooden shelving above the bar with some interesting stained glass windows. The walls are liberally covered with various Irish memorabilia such as pictures, mirrors, street signs and some old Guinness adverts. There�s a display of old bottles in the window, a selection of board games and even an old violin hanging on the wall just inside the door.

The only beer on tap was Courage Best, although there was a second hand-pump that was not in use so there may on occasions be others. The solitary cider was Thatcher�s Gold. However, there was also a �shot of the month� which on this occasion was Blueberry Vodka!
Blackthorn - 2 Mar 2011 10:02
I would like to disagree with the comment made below
i have had many pints of the wickwar and the best and iv never had a problem with it, it has all ways been up to stander. I'm sorry to say you must of had the end off the barrel.
All the staff are always friendly and happy to help.
It is a great friendly pub were you are always welcomed
I must say if you have not been hear before it is one of the best place to go
redstar27 - 4 Nov 2010 01:03
Generally a good craic in atmospheric bar..but don't go for the ale! Returned a soup-like pint oif Wickwar, very reluctantly exchanged ("It's meant to look like that") for Courage Best...or was that Sarsons?
Swift exit of stout party.
curioushistory - 10 May 2010 21:44
Great landlords-just don't bother if they're not in attendance. Ale moderate/mediocre lately. "Enterprise Inns" refurb is apparently not going to be as thorough as needed. Oh well.
an_ecunemical_matter - 13 Mar 2009 19:23
The best pub we managed to find in Bristol city centre! Barman was very helpful as we weren't from the area and needed to find our way to the football ground. Also welcomed us to go and get some food from the little market up the road and bring it back to eat in the pub. Worth popping in - Thatchers Gold on tap, and I think two or three real ales.
leicester_pubster - 24 Feb 2009 15:57
Yeah the two little girls(boys!!! hee hee) are making a reasonable job of this place. They are sociable and as a result the punters are friendly as well, and the ale is usually ok.

Can't say the same about the bloke/girl/doorman combination on a couple of Saturdays I visited though,utterly hopeless. Manual dexterity test for blondes-how to pour a pint and read a newspaper at 9.30 on a Saturday night. Hmm.......
And a bouncer who tells people to get away from the bar,where they might be standing all the rest of the week when he's not being important. Hmm 2.............

A few P45s and the place would be better!!!
an_ecunemical_matter - 16 Feb 2009 10:59
Having been quite a few times now I really am impressed. In a neighbourhood full of style bars and in particular All Bar One this little pub stands out. Service is prompt and friendly and the beer is good and not a rip off. The toilets are a bit scruffy but the bar isnt.
A friendly little pub just to sit and drink and watch the regulars.
beersup - 10 Feb 2009 12:48
One of the best pubs in Bristol, full of characters and great place to chat, Excellent guinness.
hammers101 - 17 Nov 2008 20:05
great guinness, new landlords very friendly, had a good time, well be in for a pint again soon
rlodiorne - 25 Oct 2008 16:49
Good well kept pint of Bath Ales Gem 2 be had, 8/10
fat_beer_badger - 1 Jan 2008 16:13
Best pint of Guinness I've had in England. Good work.
Gazza1982 - 19 Mar 2007 13:55
POTENTIAL-MASSIVE.
Reality though,well..........

Closes when its likely to be busy. Landlord loves moaning on about how bad trade is when he has only one punter in but still managed to shut at 11pm sharp when the place was full of Munster rugby fans ready to drink the place dry.

Nice northern bloke and cute DD cup barmaid working there.(The 2 reasons the men go in there!!!)

Can get very cancerous,usually cos extraction is crap and the door stays shut for ages when nobody goes in and out. Gents stink.Don't look up at the teddies,they were always that colour honest.....

4/10,could be 9 with a little effort.
an_ecunemical_matter - 26 Dec 2006 11:20

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