BITE user comments - TalbotHill
Comments by TalbotHill
Here's an update for 2019.
No frills indeed and no Jukebox, Fruit Machines or WiFi. Proper old fashioned pub.
There are men and ladies dart teams and a crib team too. Tuesday afternoon and Saturday night features Karaoke since the lady who used to play the organ passed on.
Still has to be the cheapest pub in Bristol with Draught Bass at £1.50, Whitbread Best £1.60, Guinness & Stella £2.00.
Parking is an issue due to the Residents Parking Zone, but there are yellow lines outside that can be used by disabled drivers part of the day.
12 Nov 2019 11:02
The Swan With Two Necks, Bristol
New regime, new hours and different Beer, Lager and Cider on sale:
(As suspected, the Draught Bass is no more)
Opening hours have changed too.
Sunday to Thursday 2pm – 11:00pm
Friday & Saturday 2pm - 1am
A friend has updated CAMRA with the new portfolio of beers etc. and sent me this list: (correct 6/9/19)
Arbor
The devil made me brew it
£5.60
Bristol Beer Factory
Badlands
£5.00
Electric Bear
Above the Clouds
£5.90
Lervig
Houseparty
£5.00
Lost & Grounded
Hop and Fallacy
£5.00
Moor
Nor Hop
£5.00
Croft Ales
BS2
£4.70
Siren Craft
Yulu
£4.70
Croft Ales
Citrusry Breeze
£4.70
Wiper & True
Kaleidoscope
£5.00
LAGER
Delerium
Bavo
£4.50
Hop Bitter Lager Beer
Keller Pils
£4.80
CASK BEER
Siren Craft
Suspended in Experiments
£4.00
Bristol Beer Factory
Bow Street
£4.00
Good Chemistry
Time Laspse
£4.00
CIDER
Iford
Peto Press Medium
£4.50
Iford
Sahara Dry
£4.70
17 Sep 2019 09:43
The Swan With Two Necks, Bristol
It’s the end of an era with “Ronnie” (Veronica) leaving on August Bank Holiday.
Current rumours suggest the incoming licensee is taking out the following:
1. Draught Bass
2. Thatchers Cider
3. The Jukebox
Good Luck Sonny, you’ll need it!
30 Aug 2019 16:19
The Langton Court Hotel, St Anne's
name change from 10/5/2019
No called "The Langton"
https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink/first-look-inside-neighbourhood-bristol-2852627
10 May 2019 14:30
Could be yours, it's on the market for lease...
https://www.eipublicanpartnerships.com/run-a-pub/pubs/pages/trident-downend.aspx
12 Jan 2019 11:37
Called in prior to a visit to see the pantomime in the theatre next door.
Very busy to say the least. One down side was the visit to the toilets.
Is it common practice for two men to use the "sit down" cubicles at the same time?
It was suggested that afterwards that they go in there testing white powder!
15 Dec 2018 11:20
Landlord did a runner this week. Chopped off all the PVC beer lines and left the place in a state where it'll cost thousands to allow it to re-open. Sky, WiFi and Card Payments had already been stopped prior to last weekend. Planned escape perhaps!
9 Dec 2018 15:44
*** CLOSED ***
Building for sale, probably end up as flats?
29 Jul 2018 09:27
First time in here and being a warm day I though it’s a safe bet with Thatchers Gold.
First pint £4.10
Second pint 3.80
Third pint £3.70
All served in beer glasses and flat with no life whatsoever.
I asked if they had Thatchers glasses but was told they’re still warm after being washed!
3 Jul 2018 16:32
The Reckless Engineer, Bristol
** NAME CHANGE **
N ow called "The Sidings" and yet to visit.
16 Sep 2017 11:17
The Langton Court Hotel, St Anne's
Locally known as the Klondyke, the pub was purpose built in 1902 on the site of the former Langton Court House, part of which is still standing beyond the car park and is now a residential property.
The main bar has a false ceiling and the Terrazzo floor was carpeted over many years ago. With a function room and skittle alley, this is one of the largest pubs in the area and the only one in St. Anne's. To the rear is a decked area for smokers and to the side, the Car Park.
Beer-wise, there’s currently Fuller's London Pride and Butcombe Bitter and the usual keg offerings.
The Lounge is popular with local Clubs and Associations and other local groups like the guitar club meet in the skittle alley. There is a ladies darts team that plays on a Thursday evening.
There's occasional Live Music and/or discos too.
The pub is currently on the market with Star Pubs & Bars after the last long serving tenant left after nineteen years. For the last eighteen months, a holding relief manager has been running the pub. A new manager will be taking over soon.
29 Mar 2017 19:08
The Reckless Engineer, Bristol
Due to close in a few weeks for what is rumoured to be a refurbishment?
29 Mar 2017 18:53
The Russell Arms, Lawrence Hill
Tinned Cider is the order of the day and it's not clear what is actually on draught. Having lost quite a few pubs in the area, it's one that needs support or it'll disappear like the rest!
8 Mar 2016 21:14
Royal Seven Stars Hotel, Totnes
Called here for a swift pint and nearly choked when I received £1.05 change out of a fiver for a pint of Thatcher's Gold. I think £3.95 a pint is extracting mickey! Not again Totnes, get a JD Wetherspoons quick!
23 Jan 2016 15:25
The Langton Court Hotel, St Anne's
Recently went on the market and currently being run by a holding relief couple. Real ales @ £3.20.
Live music or Karaoke on Saturday nights.
Crib Tuesdays, Pool Wednesdays and Ladies Darts Thursdays.
Bingo in the Skittle Alley Friday evenings.
Football on TV too.
15 Dec 2015 22:03
The Bloomfield Inn, Arno's Vale
Sadly, and further to my last report, the Bloomfield Inn is no more as it was demolished on Wednesday 29th July 2015. It's not clear what is going to replace it, but it will be flats or houses.
30 Jul 2015 13:55
Maes Knoll Toby Carvery, Bristol
Butcombe at £2.50 looked good, but could not see through it. Had flat Blackthorn instead!
20 May 2015 17:09
The Bloomfield Inn, Arno's Vale
As at 13th April 2015 the Bloomfield is again CLOSED.
Enterprise Inns did have a banner on the outside wall stating a refurbishment was planned, but that has now been removed and the side door leading to the lounge is now boarded up and padlocked.
14 Apr 2015 14:04
The Bloomfield Inn, Arno's Vale
Another relief manager, but at least it's still open!
3 Jan 2015 13:18
Still a Lock up Shop and when I called in, very little on offer. Recent reports of "Dancing Ladies" at 9:30pm on a Thursday (less clothes) according to locals present!
Bottom line is it can't last!
17 Sep 2014 22:34
Still seems fairly busy, clean and friendly, albeit a bit more expensive than my last visit.
11 Mar 2014 21:44
Looks like the Knowle has bitten the dust and closed. Lical rumour is the tenant handed the keys into the PubCo!
29 Jan 2014 20:18
The Russell Arms, Lawrence Hill
Excellent mural in the back yard which is well worth looking at!
7 Jan 2014 22:16
Wipe your feet on the way out!
No running water in the gents.
Ashtrays?
7 Jan 2014 22:13
Now advertising on Social Media that there's Disco and Karaoke on Friday and Saturday nights.
7 Jan 2014 22:07
The Bloomfield Inn, Arno's Vale
Still running with a holding relief manager.
The Courage Best @ £2.90 is not bad. Unfortunately, that's the only real ale on at the moment.
7 Jan 2014 22:03
Unfortunately, the Kings Arms closed on Monday 26th August, meaning this is now the only remaining pub open in Brislington for the time being.
27 Aug 2013 17:18
Unfortunately, the Kings Arms closed on Monday 26th August. There is an Enterprise Inns sign outside advertising the pub "To Let".
The Pilgrim Inn just up the road remains open, but opening hours are somewhat hit or miss!
27 Aug 2013 17:15
To be confirmed, but locals say the Kings Arms closed Sunday 25th August. Uncertain Future!
26 Aug 2013 12:12
Heading downhill catering for the rich students living nearby.
On a tea time visit with no other customers, my mate ordered a pint of Thatchers Dry and a bottle of Brothers Mixed Berry = £8.45.
This is no longer a pub for Joe Public from Bristol.
18 Jun 2013 17:19
Heading downhill catering for the rich students living nearby.
On a tea time visit with no other customers, my mate ordered a pint of Thatchers Dry and a bottle of Brothers Mixed Berry = £8.45.
This is no longer a pub for Joe Public from Bristol.
18 Jun 2013 17:19
Unfortunately, the other reviewer got it a bit wrong on the Real Ale.
Draught Bass is at the far end of the main bar served from a "Mirror Box" keg-style tap, transported via a "Flowjet" pump.
But it's Real Ale and they get through best part of 4 x 18 Gallon Barrels a week of the stuff. "Flat Bass" as it's supposed to be in the Bristol area.
Courage Best is, surprisingly, a Guest Beer and is likely to be changed in the near future.
13 Jun 2013 20:18
The Bloomfield Inn, Arno's Vale
Although there's no sign on the pub, the Bloomfield lease is now advertised on Enterprise Inns website. £3,500 in-goings and £10,400 PA rent (£200 a week)
12 Jun 2013 18:10
Enterprise Inns sign appeared on the outside wall this week saying the KA lease is up for grabs. £9,500 in-goings and £26,000 PA rent.
12 Jun 2013 18:02
The Cotham Porter Stores, Cotham
Boarded up again when I passed yesterday. Enterprise Inns "To Let" notice on the wall outside. Sad to see it closed!
12 Mar 2013 15:19
Popped in to the KA today and found a very nice pint of Courage Best @ £2.90.
Not too busy for a Tuesday at 2pm, but a warm pub on a cold March day!
12 Mar 2013 15:09
Called in the Pilgrim this week and there is indeed a new couple running it along the style of a "lock-up pub". The original pub flat is now bedsits and the function room is now a flat. The pub is literally run like a lock-up shop!
Beer-wise, it's difficult to judge at the moment, but there is Thatcher's Gold & Dry on draught at £3 a pint.
One of the locals said that the jukebox was being fitted, but the building owner stopped the engineers in mid flow and got them to take it away. Musical entertainment is from a mini hi-fi behind the bar. No more pool table and I did not notice whether there was a dart board either!
Good luck to the couple that have taken the pub on, but I think they are going to have a hard job on their hands?
5 Feb 2013 15:28
Just heard from a friend it's re-opened, but for how long this time?
14 Jan 2013 16:51
Still open, unlike the Pilgrim Inn, making this the last remaining pub in Brislington Village.
IN SHORT, USE IT OR LOSE IT!
8 Jan 2013 16:10
Sorry to say it, but the Pilgrim has closed again. The upstairs is now flats or bedsits and the "lock-up pub" is in need of a tenant. The Kings Arms nearby remains, but the future there is uncertain!
8 Jan 2013 16:03
First time here in ages, too many cans being sold over the bar, guinness included, rather than the genuine draught item. Lounge looks bare nowadays and it's hard to attract bar staff serving in the bar next door. No. 1 bus stop nearby takes you to Sandy Park Road, the location of the only decent alternative.
In the the HI has SKY, why no WiFi?
5 Jan 2013 20:32
Otter Ale was ok, but the lack of running water in the toilets was a concern, as was the scruffy appearance of the kitchen staff serving food!
2 Jan 2013 18:32
The Cotham Porter Stores, Cotham
Passed here today and the front door has now been "boarded up", albeit with perforated steel sheet. I sincerely hope this smashing pub reopens!
4 Dec 2012 11:08
1960's red brick council estate pub, one of the few pubs left in the area. Scant decor, but decorative language from the woman perched at the end of the bar alongside the obligatory stocky bloke with the shaved head & sovereign rings.
Keg beer & cans of Thatchers & Natch cider.
27 Nov 2012 21:17
I'm writing this literally 10 minutes after leaving the pub amd what a worthwhile visit it was.
Several different real alea and Mrs TalbotHill was well please with the selection of bottled ciders. I shall, hopefully, get back here later on and sample more?
One thing to note: If you're in the area looking for this pub, bear in mind it's up a narrow back street and parking is very difficult.
20 Nov 2012 18:12
After the refreshment, they re-named it to "The Castle". It's now reverted to Black Castle, but no improvement in the speed of service or indeed the number of staff actually serving.
We waited for nearly ten minutes until eventually getting served, during which time the two bar staff disappeared, two more passed through without stopping until the two original returned.
it was only when someone waiting threatened to start singing "Go Compare" that the bar queue started moving!
20 Oct 2012 13:10
The opening hours are the confusing thing here nowadays. There's a notice on the front door telling you when it's supposed to be open, but invariably when I've passed recently, it's been closed. The nearby Volunteer Tavern appears to be putting more effort into getting the punters in!
If you're thinking of taking the wife shopping and sneaking off for a pint, unfortunately this place is likely to be closed.
7 Oct 2012 08:58
The Sandringham management changed a couple of weeks ago and is now being run by Dan & Danny, two local lads with experience of running the place.
One noticeable improvement has been the consistency of the beer and especially the Draught Bass. They report that last week, the Bass outsold the Cider! Considering this is now the only pub/club in Brislington now selling Draught Bass, it is well worth a visit.
7 Oct 2012 08:23
As was the case for all the pubs in Brislington, this was a Courage house and in the 1970�s they were forced to sell it to Bass Charrington. The last two long-standing tenants, Harold Godfrey, followed by Norman Wright were superceded by Bass making this a managed house due to its success. Unfortunately, the place went downhill in the 1990�s due to mis-management.
Starting the new century, it re-opened following a mysterious fire and underwent a refurbishment in October 2007 in the hands of Punch Taverns. At that point it offered four real ales and a selection of other beers, lagers & ciders and food.
Due to further problems, the Pilgrim closed early June 2008 and did not re-open until mid September under new management. It changed hands again in May 2009. Also in May, the Pilgrim, along with the Bloomfield Inn and Sandringham Hotel had windows smashed, which was reported in the Bristol Evening Post.
The Pilgrim closed (again) on Monday 5th October 2009. It re-opened 28th of October 2009 under new management, this time by an operator that has two successful pubs in Bedminster & Clifton. It has since changed hands again, but the function room has now been converted into flats.
Check the opening hours - the last time I called here on a Saturday evening it was closed!
7 Sep 2012 11:27
Not bad beer & food. Sign appeared last week showing it's up for rent!
30 Jun 2012 16:03
The White House, Stockley Park
Live Report: Beer Festival on, but lacking in table clearance. Screaming kids still here at 6:30pm. Better prices than the Crowne Plaza with Bulmers Cider @ �3.80 for a short frothy 'pint'!
19 Mar 2012 19:01
Been calling in here over the last 18 months and the Bass, now back to �1.30 a pint, is as good as ever. Whitbread Keg Bitter �1.00.
(Locals refer to the place as "Gods Waiting Room"!)
1 Mar 2012 09:40
The Scotchman and His Pack, Bristol
Is it open or closed? Didn't get in to find out! Hard to tell during the day. Some days the door is open and lights on and others, the door remains closed well into the evening.
The 'For Sale Freehold' has been taken down, but one agent still has it on the market for �325K +VAT (�390K). Too many busier pubs nearby perhaps?
Shame about the broken window with 'Cardboard Glass' :-(
29 Feb 2012 09:56
Went in for a drink and meal last night and was well pleased. The Wells Bombardier was OK and the steak option we chose was cooked as we ordered.
1 Feb 2012 14:13
Visited this week and was somewhat disappointed with the prices. I was informed by more regular customers that the prices have escalated in the last 12 months several times to the point that some people have decided to decant to other nearby hostelries.
The cider selection remains the same, but paying �2.90 for rough cider like Black Rat is a bit steep, especially when the nearby competition is a lot cheaper. The CAMRA award the Orchard won was a great achievement, but can they do it again?
1 Feb 2012 14:01
New opening hours mean it's now 4pm to 11pm Monday to Thursday, 12:30pm Friday & Saturday and 3pm to 10pm Sundays.
5 Jan 2012 12:45
The Langton Court Hotel, St Anne's
Just a little 'non-beer' story. The Langton Court now has Central Heating throughout. Lovely!
24 Dec 2011 10:00
The Bloomfield Inn, Arno's Vale
Here we are 11 months on since my last review and the Bloomfield is plodding on. Courage Best plus a guest ale.
Looking at the comments from 'tellthetruthbloke' tickled me. There WAS a pub in Easton Road BS5 called the Hit or Miss, nowadays the Jolly Roger.
24 Dec 2011 09:57
Courage Best @ �2.50 bolstering the already excellent Draught Bass and this is now the only Pub in Brislington selling it.
24 Dec 2011 09:53
The Langton Court Hotel, St Anne's
Excellent pint of Courage Best and fairly busy too, considering the Pool Team played away!
14 Dec 2011 22:55
It's now open and had a fairly good workover. there is now REAL ALE, albeit the Wells Bombardier had just run out when I arrived. Food smells good, even over the smell of fresh paint! Well worth a visit.
9 Dec 2011 20:48
Brislington and St. Annes Conservative Club, Brislington
Sharp's 'Doom Bar' and Butcombe Bitter nowadays since the Draught Bass was removed; Magner's Cider has also been replaced by Weston's 'Stowford Press'.
18 Nov 2011 09:35
Steel Containers outside and a Refurbishment about to start.
Rumour is the Pool Tables are going onto what is currently the Dance Floor on the Bar side of the building, Dart Board in that area too. On the Kitchen side, it'll be dining with the area currently occupied by the Pool Tables being for diners?
18 Nov 2011 09:28
In the words of Mr Hogwallop in the film 'O Brother Where Art Thou', they appear to have R U N N O F T
18 Oct 2011 19:45
Due to re-open 19/9/2011 according to their Facebook and Twitter pages. It has undergone a great deal of refurbishment following the demise of the previous owner and deserves a chance in the unsteady world of the pub trade nowadays?
The nearby Phoenix opened earlier in 2011 and has improved a great deal. The 'Little Volley' deserves a chance!
18 Sep 2011 22:44
We visited here on the way home from Newbury Races on our local Club outing. Our organiser looked at the Royal Oak earlier in the year as a stop-off point for a meal for what ended up as a 52 seat coach load. For the faint-hearted coach driver, not somewhere to drive to without exploring the route first - VERY narrow lanes and only just enough space to turn round at the car park entrance.
Pub-wise, Wadworth's 6X straight from the barrel and one guest beer "Down Under". Being straight from the barrel, beer was excellent, if a bit pricey at �3.30. Food-wise, all were more than happy with the three-course meals we had pre-ordered.
We will be returning next year, if not before!
18 Sep 2011 09:22
Live Report: Some sort of party on and place packed out. Butcombe Ok @ 2.50gbp, but too noisy and appears full of people from the hotel nearby dodging their expensive residents bar?
16 Sep 2011 20:22
Called in here on Tuesday for Crib. Nice clean Pub.
Courage Best, Wells Bombardier, Wadworth's 6X and St. Austell Tribute. All around the �2.95 mark and the beer was well kept too. Apart from the Crib match, Ladies Darts were home too, so quite busy.
Look at the Bristol's Lost Pubs website - Used to be called the 'New Inn' years ago.
26 Aug 2011 10:34
Holding Relief in here at the moment and its reported that beers are circa �2 a pint?
17 Aug 2011 12:42
The Blackwell Ox Inn, Sutton-on-the-Forest
Booked a three-night stay here and the first impression is that it's a good place to stay, drink and indeed eat. Three real ales and 'John Smith's Cask' on sale and around the �3.10 bracket. Food is really good, the rooms well appointed and we would come and stay here again.
Only down-side is that if you needed to use a Vodafone mobile, no signal in this area!
22 Jul 2011 19:09
Called in here and thought it was over occupied by Nikon carrying tourists. The prices confirmed this with a pint of bitter and pint of Strongbow shandy costing nearly �7.00.
Very dark and dingy in the front bar and very evident that the under-stressed barman could not clear the plates and empty glasses from the tables.
It was quite amusing to hear the two numpties stood at the bar arguing with the barman that the Guinness did not taste right.
22 Jul 2011 19:03
Well, it re-opened early 2011 and then a couple of weeks ago curtains went up around the ground floor and the doors locked. There has been some activity in the last couple of days, so it could well be open again soon?
7 Jul 2011 08:38
Other sites and 'Twitter' state:
"The Volunteer Tavern is a genuine free house sandwiched comfortably between Cabot Circus and Old Market. It is under refurbishment and will re-open soon".
It'll be nice to see this place re-open like the nearby Phoenix.
7 Jul 2011 08:26
It has changed hands again and continues to be a nice place to go for a pint or two. I called in yesterday and found a reasonable pint of Courage Best for �2.90. There's also Thatchers Cheddar Valley on hand-pull. One of the locals said that the original double doors in the centre of the pub frontage are going to be re-instated - Not sure why, but no doubt all will be revealed in due course?
25 Jun 2011 08:33
Currently closed, with a notice on the front door stating "Pedro Antas (the landlord?) passed away 17th March".
25 Jun 2011 07:50
I bumped into someone today and they said that the Bistro up the road is a lot better than the Sandringham and that �locals� prefer the bistro style establishments like you get in North Street, Bedminster.
Do you go in the Sandringham I asked. �No� was the answer. �Get rid of the Cider� was another comment they made.
Spending an hour stood at the bar earlier this evening, one in five was drinking apple-derived alcohol. The rest were drinking everything but, including the excellent Draught Bass at �2.60.
In reality, it takes thirty minutes to give a pub a reputation that lasts thirty years!
Bottom line is it�s a great pub and has all the facilities nearby the other pubs in the area lack. Good Pub, nice people and a good night out!
22 Jun 2011 00:14
Old Speckled Hen is on this week @ �2.50 as well as the Bass @ �2.60.
13 Mar 2011 08:40
Enterprise Inns have this place on the market (again) as well as the sign from another agent on the side of the building.
26 Feb 2011 10:27
The Langton Court Hotel, St Anne's
Seems another Thursday entry! Courage Best still looking good. Prices, as with everywhere else, are due to increase in February!
27 Jan 2011 23:26
The Bloomfield Inn, Arno's Vale
Called in here on Wednesday night for a pint. Courage Best had just run out, so to save time I opted for the Timothy Taylor Landlord @ �2.90. Not bad and a while since I tried it last in the Ship Inn at Langton Matravers. Other offer on hand-pull was Wells' Bombardier, similarly priced.
27 Jan 2011 23:23
The "Lottle Grosvenor" is still my first Port O Call and well worth it for the Draught Bass. (and, of course, Clivey Hall controlling the activities!)
19 Jan 2011 15:31
After a lot of delays, the Phoenix re-opened at 5:00pm on Friday 14th January 2011. It�s had serious amount of work carried out in the last few months and for many former customers, it�ll be a total contrast to the old days. In short, the place was stripped back to the brickwork and started again from scratch!
A new hardwood floor, leather sofas, piped modern "Musak", but gone are the old barrels behind the bar which many old regulars were perhaps expecting to see return along with the Draught Bass.
Handpull-wise, there�s now Butcombe Bitter, Sharp�s Doom Bar as well as Weston�s Cider. On Keg, there�s Heineken, Amstel & Moretti Lagers, Thatcher�s Gold & Draught Guinness. Prices reflect the rest of �Town� with Butcombe at �3.00 a pint. At the top end, there�s Moretti Lager at �3.80! I tried the Butcombe and can say as a Butcombe drinker it�s as it should be.
17 Jan 2011 20:33
Went in today and was somewhat gob-smacked to be charger �3.00 for a pint of Taunton Traditional. Locally, it's �2.10 at the Sandringham!
9 Jan 2011 00:14
According to the new owners, this should open 2nd January 2011 after what is now two years closed. The decor is certainly going to surprise a lot of old regulars too. Good luck to them I say!
30 Dec 2010 08:54
Builders doing a lot in a short time - Apparently due to open mid-December 2010?
17 Nov 2010 00:26
Bass �1.30 and not a bubble on it. Vodka & Coke �1.00! This is a gem of a Pub, but looks after locals and does not tolerate any numpties; in short, they don't get served. Worth a visit.
17 Nov 2010 00:23
The Langton Court Hotel, St Anne's
Funny, Camera Club here again tonight and Courage Best on Top Form. Quite busy for a Thursday evening, even taking the Camera people out of the equation!
4 Nov 2010 22:50
Builders now in the place for several weeks and all the allied trades appear to be doing a top job. At the rate things are going, it'll be open in December as has been suggested by the lads working on site?
4 Nov 2010 22:38
I found out where the "Swamp" nickname came from; it seems that prior to the current owner taking over and decorating the place, the old carpet times were so sodden with beer that you stuck to the floor!
(No longer a problem - Lino floor nowadays)
16 Oct 2010 10:40
Not been in here, but the name appears to have migrated to "The Urban Wood". Obviously not wild enough?
13 Oct 2010 14:55
Popped in here on a Sunday lunchtime with friends. A proper locals pub, clean and tidy with friendly bar staff.
There's a small paved garden to the rear with a canopy for the smokers.
The Courage Best was OK and there's also various cider including my favourite, Moles' Black Rat (made by Thatcher's)
13 Oct 2010 09:42
A nice Pub with many original features that would have been ripped out if one of the big Pub chains got their hands on it years ago. Very well kept Courage Best and Fuller's London Pride.
The Pub also boasts a large garden to the rear.
Well worth a visit!
13 Oct 2010 09:23
Finally got to go in here on an evening.
Thatchers Dry (Blackthorn style, but better), Thatchers Traditional (Rough) and a couple of keg offerings. The night we called in, there was a Crib match in the Lounge and football on the TV in the Bar. Nice friendly crowd in the Lounge. The visiting team was from the Langton Court at St. Anne's.
In short, this Pub has seen better days and judging by the various broken windows at the rear of the building, it won't be here forever.
17 Sep 2010 15:16
Brislington and St. Annes Conservative Club, Brislington
To add to the previous comment, this is one of the few places left in the Brislington area with a proper "lounge" atmosphere as it used to be years ago when the local pubs were seperate bars and lounge areas. Not too many years ago, this was literally a "mirror image" of the Pilgrim Inn Lounge Bar. people that used the Pilgrim used this place as well.
There are many entertainment events here as well as Club outings. Recently, there was a trip to Butcombe Brewery. Next week is the annual trip to Newbury Races.
14 Sep 2010 15:00
The builders moved in this week and earlier today the water and electricity people were outside too. Spreking to one of the contractors, he thinks they're trying to have the place open for December 2010?
14 Sep 2010 14:53
Could it be good news here at last?
I have it on good authority that the Phoenix changed hands last week (end of August) and that the new owners have the keys. In that I pass the place on a regular basis, it'll be interesting to see any progress.
2 Sep 2010 15:05
Currently looking very exposed, now that the IBM building has been demolished next door - Remains to be seen what is built in its place. Probably more offices?
2 Sep 2010 15:02
Although it's not that easy to get to, it's still worth a visit by 500 Bus or the harbour Ferry, especially during the day. Good selection of food, Beer and needless to say, Cider.
Only negative side to this place can be on a Saturday when Bristol City FC are playing at home cos' it's rammed full of City Fans on their way to the match.
My workmate lives nearby and says it can get a bit rowdy on an evening. Perhaps this is why there's a notice across the road asking patrons not to sit on the wall drinking?
30 Jul 2010 15:29
The Bloomfield Inn, Arno's Vale
Just got the email that someone had put an entry on "My Pubs".
I also went in here earlier in the week, and as per the other report, No Blackthorn, so the Taunton Dry had to do instead. That was warm, so I asked for for some ice to go in it. The Blackthorn was back on last night though. Something "odd" about the taste of it - funny tummy all day today.
29 May 2010 17:56
The "Daz Sniffers" appear to have gone, and now that the pub across the road has closed, it's the only open pub in the street!
I usually get to pop in here when we visit family in the flats just down the road and this place has been a "port o call" each time we're in Devonport.
It's been open and closed a few times over the last few years, but the current landlord seems to have the place sorted at last.
22 May 2010 10:44
Called in here on Thursday and tried the "Rattler" cloudy cider for a change. The barmaid warned me that it was 6% ABV, so to be aware if driving. Not bad, but I prefer "Black Rat" or Thatchers Dry etc.
We ordered food, which on the whole was OK, but my burger must have been cooked before the rest, as the grated cheese didn't melt at all.
Service on this occasion was 100% better than the last visit!
22 May 2010 10:35
Allegedly, the most expensive pub in Bristol. One friend says Fosters Lager here is �3.60!
10 May 2010 22:01
On the market (yet again) and I guess it will join the rest of the pubs in the area that share a common theme?
10 May 2010 21:58
Walked past here earlier this evening; notices in the window "Bass �2.00 & Black Rat �2.00". Although I like both, I'm afraid it sums up the pub trade in this area, especially having the Sevenways, Sportsmans and Phoenix closed nearby.
I guess most of the people that live in the area nowadays don't drink?
10 May 2010 21:56
Many, many, people have looked at this place since my last review and they came and went. One chap from Swindon came, along with his Architect and Builder. I asked them if they know the area (No) and they carried on and surveyed the building. To date, nothing more appears to have been done, apart from someone pinching the light fittings from outside!
10 May 2010 21:51
Basically, one of the very few pubs left in the Barton Hill area of Bristol. Thatchers Cider and Keg Beer on offer.
I guess it won't be long before this place closes, which is a shame, as it used to be the biggest Pub in Barton Hill.
10 May 2010 21:46
Called in last night (9:30pm) on the way home from work for an excellent pint of Bass, which at �2.50, is still quite reasonably priced. "Wifey" joined me and we had an enjoyable hour or so chin-wagging with old friends. There was a good crowd in and good atmosphere all round. Poker in the Bar adding to the busy Lounge crowd.
"Dan the Man" in charge over the weekend, and as usual, doing an excellent job!
8 May 2010 10:26
The Bloomfield Inn, Arno's Vale
The once excellent range of Real Ales appears to have diminished to just two; Courage Best and S A Brain's "Reverend James". The usual weekly events are still in place with Ladies Darts, Sunday Meat Draw. There's also the odd Live Music and Karaoke/Disco.
8 May 2010 10:18
Sorry, still not saved up enough for a round, especially now that's it's over �3.00 a pint here. Easier option is to pop into the Little Grosvenor by Asda. Still a �2.00 pint of Bass there!
28 Apr 2010 08:43
Still no real ale! I would even suffer Keg Courage Best instead of the horrible John Smith's Smooth!
28 Apr 2010 08:29
The Cotham Porter Stores, Cotham
Called in here for a pint with the lads from work and found a proper pub, decent prices and a superb jukebox!
28 Apr 2010 08:27
Albeit a slight difference, the "Bristol's Lost Pubs" Website lists this as "Colston's Arms" (note the apostrophe). Trouble is I read the book "Eats Shoots & Leaves" by Lynne Truss!
9 Apr 2010 08:59
Very strange. One pub on the Centre that I've never been in!
I called in here on the way home from work at about 8:45pm. There were only six people in, one of which was a woman who had obviously been on a training course "How to teach Dockers to Swear". The chap behind the bar, from what I could gather, is a relief manager and appeared a bit out of his depth dealing with the mouthy cow in the corner (who kept putting "Land of Hope & Glory" on the Jukebox)
Other than that, I had a nice pint of Wickwar "BoB" and at �2.70, I don't suppose it was over priced, especially being in the centre of town. I did notice the Bass on the Bar afterwards.
24 Mar 2010 08:30
The Post Office Tavern, Bristol
Been in here every two months or so in the last year and still worth a visit. Beer reasonably priced too.
15 Mar 2010 21:37
Brislington and St. Annes Conservative Club, Brislington
Albeit a private members club, the �Con Club� is one place in Brislington where there�s a skittle alley. The Kings Arms, Hollybush, Good Intent and White Hart all lost theirs years ago. Positives are Butcombe and Bass, with the negatives being committee types running the place. Can be a bit �Clicky�, like all clubs!
14 Mar 2010 19:00
This has always been a good place to call in and step back in time. Always known for well-kept Courage Best, especially when the brewery was just up the road. Unfortunately, the prices have not stood still. My mate called in here last week (a lager drinker) and paid �3.60 for a pint of Fosters!
10 Mar 2010 09:39
Robert Fitz Harding, Bedminster
On foot, on my way to the Jolly Colliers I decided to have a quick one in here. Two bar staff on and judging by the speed of service, I would have been here until the early hours of the next morning if I asked for more? Bass was on @ �1.95 and OK.
10 Mar 2010 09:19
I was dragged here (not kicking and screaming) by a mate to make the numbers up for skittles. Bass was OK and the pub, even though skittles were home, was surprisingly busy for a Tuesday night. This was my first visit and won't be the last.
10 Mar 2010 09:11
Called in here to meet the Crib team on my way home from work. Apart from the Crib, Ladies' darts were home as well, which I guess is a valuable customer puller, as the place would have been empty otherwise? Bass, which is served from a "squirt tap" at the rear of the bar was OK. Over all, it's a well-lit clean pub with friendly staff.
10 Mar 2010 09:07
I've driven past this place so many times and not had the chance to stop. I called in here for the first time, on foot, on the way home from work. There were a few locals in, who had, I guess, been in there for quite a while. Nevertheless, the Bass was OK and bar staff friendly. After one I moved on. Nice to see the place has re-opened.
10 Mar 2010 09:00
The Grosvenor Arms, Southville
Still a proper pub and "Clivey" Hall doing a crackin' job running it. Bass (and I guess everything else) has gone up by 10p, making it �2 a pint. Only Wetherspoons in Cannon Street beats this @ �1.95. All the same, a very well kept pint. The usual crackers at the back end of the bar providing the entertainment as well.
10 Mar 2010 08:50
The trial of guest beers goes on and seems to change like clockwork after every barrel runs out. Pedigree, Old Peculier, Directors, Pedigree, Broadside, Spitfire and more. Bass is still as good as ever and prices are still sensible.
I know there have been negative comments on the "Sange", but it's currently the only pub in the area with all the essentials; main bus route, Post Office, Chemist, Bookmakers, local shops etc. This remains a good, proper, local boozer.
9 Mar 2010 09:28
Very Southville/Totterdown/Clifton as far as the customer base goes, and as the Stella Artois advert says "Reassuringly Expensive". Having said this, it seems this place has been mentioned in the Bristol Evening Post due to some problems with an altercation between two lads and the bouncers.
Not a bad place to use for meeting business clients etc., but not somewhere you could afford to use as a local boozer.
9 Mar 2010 09:11
It seems the White Hart closed on Thursday 4th March 2010, not the following day as was publicised. I guess a ploy to stop the place getting wrecked?
Anyway, after many years as a Customer (1975) and as a DJ and Bar staff, it is really sad to see the White Hart close it's doors for the last time as a Public House.
This was the First pub in the country to have a National Lottery Machine, first to open early in the morning for the World Cup and was also the local Polling Station on Election Day.
I'm sure the likes of Graham Adams, a Landlord for some 14 years, must be "turning in his grave" to think that this once very busy pub has closed it's doors.
R.I.P. the White Hart on Brislington Hill.
8 Mar 2010 09:37
Nice to see some progress on the old "GI" at last.
It'll be nice to have a pub in Brislington that does a decent reasonably priced menu as well.
8 Mar 2010 09:29
(Before I go any further, I've only just noticed the review by "Mrs Mouse" and "NHSmonkey, but will add my own independent comments and read theirs afterwards)
We visited here after a three year gap on a cold February lunchtime and found the place dotted with a few people having a lunchtime meal or a drink or two.
When we arrived, there was a chap in front of me at the bar ordering drinks and food. Everything he asked for ended up with half a dozen questions from the barmaid and she appeared somewhat peeved that she had to deal with the man and would rather be somewhere else. Eventually, after he decides to pay by debit card, further delaying service, I was served.
All this time, there were other staff swanning around, apparently doing nothing!
So, I get served and look for a seat. There was a round window table overlooking the river, but that had a "reserved" notice on it and we ended up sitting by the fireplace. It turned out a to be a good place to sit.
The customer I waited for when we arrived went to get served again, wanting more Tribute. He was served and the very last pull of the pump revealed the barrel had emptied. Barmaid does nothing about it and swans off somewhere else. Next barmaid comes along to find a beer pump that gushed froth. I had to wait for a barrel to be changed when barmaid 2 served me!
Something else was that the bar staff drifted between the food servery on the right and the bar on the left. My wife (who holds an Intermediate food hygiene certificate) noticed that an no point was there any hand washing when going between the two places. Long-haired barmaids and no headgear etc. Do they get hair in the food or greasy marks on your beer glasses?
The kitchen operative from the "far-east" kept looking towards me nervously from the kitchen. I guess it was the camera & zoom lens I was carrying. Hope they are in the UK legally?
In short, although this is a great pub in a very privileged location, the management need to get their act together and get their staff trained properly and to deal with people and each other professionally. If we're seeing problems when the pub is open, what is happening at other times?
The way the British pub trade is going, many pub landlords have lost their livelihoods and seen their pub closed. This place, although in a superb touristy position, needs to pull it's socks up before Mr Brown bans the lot!
27 Feb 2010 12:47
One thing for sure... Wetherspoon's only take over closed pubs, so I guess the G.I. will struggle on under Enterprise's rule for the time being? Seems the White Hart will be closing in March, so the remaining customers there may well use this instead. Fingers crossed eh?
26 Feb 2010 00:02
I pass here on a daily basis. There have been a lot of prospective buyers been shown around the place since it went up for sale Freehold. Someone also turned up and pinched the remaining brass light fittings outside while no-one was about!
I spoke to a couple of people that were looking at the place and the impression I got was that it's unlikely to re-open as a Pub. More flats I think?
3 Feb 2010 08:51
According to the local Press, the White Hart is due to close and is expected to be transformed into a permanent headquarters for the Bristol School of Performing Arts.
Why not follow a theme and turn the Good Intent into a Ballet School as well?
2 Feb 2010 09:46
According to the local Press, the Pub is due to close and is expected to be transformed into a permanent headquarters for the Bristol School of Performing Arts.
2 Feb 2010 09:40
The Bloomfield Inn, Arno's Vale
Not much of a fan tonight as it was closed before 10:30pm.
14 Jan 2010 00:35
SORRY... Mis-read the advert.
The Landings has been sold @ �325K
14 Jan 2010 00:29
Here we are, Christmas Day and I'm wondering whether to pop in and have look what's going on at Lunchtime. In the past, this was stacked to the ceiling on Christmas morning. Let's see what happens?
25 Dec 2009 09:56
Called in here yesterday evening with the lads from work as a starting point for our "night out" before Christmas and ended up staying until gone 11pm. We managed to drink all the excellent Doom Bar so ended up on the Addleston's Cloudy Cider to finish off. The only other real ale on was Bath Ales Christmas brew which was a bit too heavy.
The place appears to be a magnet for the younger student element at the moment, or at least it was last night. I must be getting old, cos' I'm starting to feel the cold and the numpties that were here last night kept going in and out the patio door and leaving it open. OK in the summer, but not on a cold sub-zero night.
Downstairs in the "Lounge" was a "Hip-Hop" DJ with a pair of SL1200's pumping out some indeterminable thump-thump music. Not my sort of thing, but the student types liked it.
I think my only criticism on the Guinea itself are the prices. Doom Bar at �2.90 is a bit pricey in my book as is the St. Austell Tribute. Guinness is �3.10.
I'll be back when I've saved up to by a round!
19 Dec 2009 10:59
The Bloomfield Inn, Arno's Vale
No evidence of "Tubbs & Edward" here today, but the clocks must be wrong, cos' "Trigger" was in instead (I suppose he could be a character on League of Gentlemen?)
Usual Sunday Meat Draw and today there were 10 prizes. Watch out for the Christmas Draw on 20th December, which promises to be bigger than the last one at the end of October?
Contrary to other reports, it was a lot warmer in the place today.
6 Dec 2009 17:04
Popped in again today with my mate (another Sunday lunchtime) and luckily, the Butcombe Gold was on, as were the other three real ales.
When we arrived around 1pm, it was a little quiet with nearly enough staff to do a 1:1 with each customer. From what I could gather, the only food offer was the Sunday Lunch menu and at �8.00 a go, I guess the more commercial places, such as the Black Castle will clear up on the food side. (Having said that, there's no real ale at the Castle)
Nice background music while we were there too, which makes the place more inviting than the other places in the area.
6 Dec 2009 16:56
Seems this is another pub on the market and like the Friendship, another of Georges' "Red Brick" pubs from the 1930's that's up for sale. Coincidentally, the Good Intent at Broomhill has also been opened/closed and is currently being run by a "Holding Relief". That could, in the future, end up on the market too?
6 Dec 2009 15:37
The Bloomfield Inn, Arno's Vale
A bit of factual updating, from the pub, on my laptop:
Just been told by Steve (Landlord) that the reason the darts moved to the Langton Court was that the new darts captain don't like his dad who is in the pub 7 days a week.
Football team left cos' ONE of the team was banned (ask him why) and the whole team followed him and his kit bag elsewhere. Other problems, like the pool team are not clear!
Bottom line: 5 real ales and very few numpties here!
2 Dec 2009 17:48
Every time I go past this place I laugh out loud at the pub sign: A picture of "Three Clowns" (as the locals call it). I've got to go in and have a pint and get a picture too.
29 Nov 2009 20:29
Went in Saturday lunchtime and found Courage Directors is back again and not a bad pint either. Bass is my tipple and that's 100%. Very busy, what with the football team in and a bit more noisy than usual.
29 Nov 2009 20:17
Called in here this afternoon "apr�s le d�jeuner" and thought a pint of Butcombe Gold would round things off. Unfortunately, that was off-line, as was the Doom Bar, so had to settle for the only real ale, Wadworth's 6X, which was OK.
29 Nov 2009 20:09
Butcombe still �1.95 and the St. Austell Tribute is still �2.20. Both well kept too.
All the beer pumps have a natty price tag and I noticed the cider is considerably more expensive than the beer & lager. Food trade was brisk while I was in. Trade around the bar dropped off a bit as it approached 9pm, so I guess the younger element that were there were heading into town?
28 Nov 2009 09:52
Just had a nice meal for two with the "BOGOF" offer.
Mixed Grill was well worth it and the steak that my wife had.
The Merlot is worth a mention too!
26 Nov 2009 20:42
I looked into the JDW angle, but it appears they'll only move in on an already closed site. Perhaps the closure of the G.I. could have been a blessing in disguise after all?
There was a load of bar sundries, cleaning materials etc. being delivered the other day, so I guess they're setting up camp for a while?
Now it's up to the guy doing the holding relief to stop this being turned back into a holiday camp for the local numpties?
Hi De Hi.
26 Nov 2009 11:29
Boarded up internally and all the lettering and any evidence that this was a pub has been removed.
25 Nov 2009 08:35
I looked on Enterprise Inns website earlier and the G.I. is on the market, but it's not clear whether it's offered Freehold, like the White Hart.
If the G.I. does end up with a temporary "Holding Relief", as is the case with the White Hart, then whoever is in there won't know who's who and it'll end up full of the people that were kicked out before. Have the people in the Pilgrim got the right idea and set a trend for the area?
Perhaps now is the time for JD Wetherspoon to throw their hat in the ring? This place has everything a JDW wants; a large building with a large kitchen and not a lot of car park to worry about.
24 Nov 2009 10:09
Went in earlier and found Marston's Pedigree on at �2.20 a pint. Not bad, the place was very busy too.
21 Nov 2009 21:36
Drove past Thursday afternoon and it was open with a few people outside the front door. Sit back and wait to see what happens next I guess?
20 Nov 2009 10:00
The Langton Court Hotel, St Anne's
Called in here earlier after a visit to the nearby Bloomfield.
Although the Courage Best can vary in quality here, tonight it was 100%. It was getting busy before I left due to the Camera Club people arriving (Thursday Evenings).
19 Nov 2009 21:08
The Bloomfield Inn, Arno's Vale
Beer in here OK again tonight, but had a couple of pints of Taunton Traditional instead. Good tea-time crowd in as usual.
19 Nov 2009 21:05
Gotta be a "10" rating for this place. Good atmosphere, clean, tidy, friendly staff, nice cider, perry and beer too. The food is excellent also.
Shame I don't live nearer, as I would be in here seven days a week, instead of using the place on days off and on the way home from work.
19 Nov 2009 21:02
There's a copy of the letter from the local MP going round (saw it in the Sandringham). Manager also seen going to the supermarket to buy stock (cans/bottles etc) as there's nothing else to sell. If he was "out & about" drinking elsewhere, has the pub now closed?
19 Nov 2009 13:35
Oh how things change as you get older.
I used this pub when I worked on shift at St. Anne's Board Mills, and with the Post Office. That shows how long ago I started using it.
Good Intent in name, hopefully by nature too?
16 Nov 2009 23:40
I called in here earlier and it appears that it was after the rush they had for Sunday Lunches. My mate went in here at the end of last week and he, like me, appreciates a good pint. Butcombe Gold, albeit at �2.80 is a stronger beer and I will relent and say that that price is probably correct? I've received very good reports from other friends, both drinkers and in the trade. Just need to try the food, which I hear is very good too?
15 Nov 2009 20:16
Local MP now on the case and sending letters out to the locals about the poor state of the place and the problems that go with it. I can't understand why a place as big as the G.I. has been allowed to go downhill so far? Just look at the Friendship at Knowle, that's now boarded up and soon to become a Tesco store.
OK, there's a Co-Op across the road, but what's to stop Tesco, Sainsbury's or similar, setting up here too if the place closes. As things are at the moment, this pub is on a very short leash and could well dissappear?
Come back Charlie Palmer, Chris Elston or even Maurice Moore! We want the "GI" back as it was!
14 Nov 2009 00:15
Someone told me earlier on that "JDW" may have an interest in the White Hart? Unlikely, I thought, but they do, on the odd occasion, take on former pub premises. If JDW do come into Brislington, it'll kill off everything else!
14 Nov 2009 00:04
Mrs in the pool again and had to try the Butcombe @ �1.95. St. Austell now gone and replaced with something that I can't remember (too much Butcombe). May go back to the Bloomfield or the Langton Court on the way home, but why spoil the taste of Butcombe with Courage Best etc?
13 Nov 2009 23:50
The Bloomfield Inn, Arno's Vale
Been in tonight and had a couple of pints. Not bad and stayed until closing time. Ladies darts came in after their away match and one of the girls had a 132 check out. Not that I'm into darts, but it sounded pretty good?
13 Nov 2009 00:14
Not a bad pint of S A Brain 's "SA".
When I saw it on the bar, I asked for a pint of "Skull Attack" (that's what the people in Cardiff call it) and the Barmaid looked at me like I was from another planet!
Anyway, better than the Golden Guinea up the road, which is far to expensive and very dark and gloomy decor-wise.
11 Nov 2009 11:01
The pub is up for rent (Again)
Enterprise Inns have the following on their website:
"The Wayfarer is situated on a busy road through the residential area of Waintree in Bristol. This suburban pub was purpose built in the 1980s. Due to the nature of the opportunities provided by this pub, it is not one for a first-time operator, but could greatly reward a more experienced licensee."
Where the hell is "Waintree"?
7 Nov 2009 12:11
Red Brick pub on a Council Estate. Keynsham's answer to the Venture Inn at Knowle West in Bristol, or at least it was years ago. The Venture was demolished a couple of years ago and was replaced by flats. The Wingrove is is currently up for sale Freehold for �200,000.
7 Nov 2009 11:50
Up for rent via agents James A Baker.
Rent is circa �10,000 PA. Locals told me it wants �100,000 spent on the interior and that probably misses out the recent notice on the outside warning you that the place has Asbestos problems too.
7 Nov 2009 11:42
Just looked at the website for James A Baker. It's been sold for �795,000. Tesco time perhaps?
7 Nov 2009 11:34
The Reckless Engineer, Bristol
Not been here for a while, but it's now on my route home from work. Called in yesterday evening for a pint that turned into three. Butcombe Bitter well kept and not over priced @ �2.60. Otter Bitter also available @ �2.40. Staff are friendly too!
4 Nov 2009 10:30
Right next to Bristol General Hospital, the Guinea is one of those Bristol pubs that are easy to miss if you don't know it's there. Re-opened Monday 2nd November after three weeks of refurbishment. New decor is a bit dark, but it's a 100% improvement on the state the place was in before.
I had a couple of pints of St. Austell Tribute @ �2.90. Other various lagers here as well, including Wheat beers and a Czech lager on draught. No food at the moment, but that will be addressed in the near future.
On their promo cards is says "Bristol's Best Backstreet Boozer"
3 Nov 2009 10:43
Went here earlier while "Her Indoors" was swimming up & down in the nearby swimming pool.
Well impressed with the Butcombe Bitter @ �1.95 and the St. Austell Tribute @ �2.20. The food I saw brought out looked pretty good too. Bar staff I spoke to were most agreeable and not just out of Kintergarden either.
Certainly be here again when the Mrs. is in the pool!
30 Oct 2009 21:44
Well, it's open again and real ales on offer include Butcombe Gold and Sharp's Doom Bar. Nice redecorating job too.
29 Oct 2009 21:57
My mate went in here a few days ago. Choice of Carling or Cider, no other draught beers available. Looks like this is going the same way the Pilgrim went except that the G.I. has not resorted to going to the Off Licence (yet) to buy stock.
25 Oct 2009 09:25
Closed 12/10/2009 and the builders have moved in. Not clear what it's to become, but looks like some form of licensed premises, hopefully a Pub?
Whoever takes this place on should eventually reap the rewards, as the Bristol General Hospital has been sold and will no doubt be re-developed, more than likely into apartments?
23 Oct 2009 09:49
*** CLOSED ***
Closed and the builders are in converting it into an Indian Restaurant.
23 Oct 2009 09:45
There's probably more beer being drunk on this site than in the other three village pubs put together!
19 Oct 2009 09:07
Oh dear me... I saw an old friend outside and decided to "bite the bullet" and stop for a pint. No Courage Best, so the Sharpe's Doom Bar had to do instead. Sorry, it didn't and I moved on, again.
The Public Bar is now boarded up and you can't see through the front windows cos' that's been screened off too with something looking like an England flag. In the lounge, there not only lamps blown and not replaced but in places, whole light fittings missing and wires hanging down where TV's used to be. Someone told me later that the place has been sold. It'll be interesting if it has.
Historically, back in the 1980's, this pub had the second highest sales figures for Courage beer in Bristol, the highest being the Enterprise in Parson Street Bedminster. Remember 1/2 pint electric pumps? This pub was fitted with them and they worked surprisingly well, even for the cask conditioned ales.
19 Oct 2009 09:02
Fingers crossed for the Pilgrim. Just got to wait until the end of the month!
11 Oct 2009 17:55
I remember the days when there was no mains electricity here. Different nowadays though.
Great selection of beer, especially when there's a Beer Festival on here.
On the negative side, be VERY careful if you're driving here. The track from Wyndham Crescent to Beeses' is rough and could do some damage to your car if there's not much ground clearance.
1 Oct 2009 11:30
Most of the windows still boarded up since the window smashing event some months ago. Not clear who's running the place at the moment, or whether there's any beer for sale.
Looking at King Sturge's website, you can buy this for �195,000 with vacant posession!
More flats methinks?
15 Sep 2009 11:27
Closed New Years Eve 2008 after the City Council put the rent up to the point where the tenants could not afford to continue.
The pub is indeed boarded up and up for rent. It's now also in the middle of a paved area and is hidden away from the main road, so I guess it's unlikely that it will re-open in the short-term?
Well done Bristol City Council, contributing to the disappearing pubs of Britain!
10 Sep 2009 09:07
Called in here on a weekday afternoon and again on Friday lunchtime. Nice to find a pub that's clean and tidy and in the case of Friday, nice and busy too.
Good choice of cider as well as a couple of real ales on as well. Food selection is good too, with specials and various other daily offerings.
On the down side, and I guess because we visited during the working week, parking was a bit tight to say the least, but still worth the visit!
5 Sep 2009 08:50
Like the other reviews, this place has taken a nose-dive. No food, not many customers and definitely worth a miss.
17 Aug 2009 19:43
From the Bristol Evening Post:
Permission has been given to turn a pub garden in Bristol into a car park � paving the way for the premises to be turned into a Tesco Express store.
Councillors gave consent for the 12-space car park at the Friendship Inn in Axbridge Road, Knowle, at a Planning Committee meeting yesterday, despite objections.
The plans had been revised after concerns about safety of access to the car park.
Councillors were told that a turning area was now being provided so that if the car park was full, motorists could drive out in forward gear.
30 Jul 2009 08:32
The only other pub in Midlan Road was the Midland Inn nearly opposite the Swan.
The new tenant had just moved in and was starting to decorate the bar when the area manager walked in and told them to stop work as the brewery had just sold the building to Gardiner Haskins. Within a few weeks it was demolished and turned into more car park. The nearby Wadworth's pub was the Pride of the Forest in Unity Street. The outer shell still remains as the end wall of Gardiners Garden Centre!
28 Jul 2009 11:18
I used to think this was an old fogeys pub years ago, what with the "Bog End" crew and landlord John Stone getting his trumpet out at the end of the night, donning his golden bowler hat and playing the last few notes of whatever the jazz band were playing that night.
Looking at the place nowadays, from the wrong side of my 51st year, I guess the old days were actually better. Bristol has allowed the whole centre of town to become a student campus and sea of manufactured bedsits. The result has been that old favourites like this place have lost their appeal to the majority of "true" Bristolians. Same goes for the Llandogger and the Volley!
28 Jul 2009 11:08
Drove past here on 9/7/2009 and it's still closed and boarded up. There's a To Let sign outside, but I guess this'll be another housing development soon?
9 Jul 2009 19:30
The Ship Inn, Langton Matravers
Wot happened to Jon that was here a few years ago?
Seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth!
9 Jul 2009 19:26
The Post Office Tavern, Bristol
Only recently started going here to meet friends on a Sunday evening. Nice, busy, friendly pub and the beer�s reasonably priced and kept well. Living in Brislington, it�s a fair way from where I live, but at least the No 1 bus stops outside!
14 May 2009 16:35
I used to do some work at the Talbot a few years ago, back when it was a nice family oriented pub with a full a la carte menu and two proper chefs, not microwave technicians like nowadays.
When the management changed after Ben & Donna went, the place went downhill. Pool table installed, along with the associated weapon rack for the cues and the obligatory bouncers on the door.
25 Apr 2009 15:17
Well, January came and went and the White Hart remained open, albeit with the old problems. The young lady running the place was trying really hard to get the place back on it's feet. She appears to have left and there's someone else there now.
One thing that did appear in April was a notice on the outside wall: �Freehold for Sale�. That�s disappeared after a couple of days, but according to a certain commercial property agent, it is still up for sale for �350,000.
If the White Hart does survive, then my money is on a Pub / Restaurant / Motel style setup - If not, more flats, just like the Hollybush down the road!
13 Apr 2009 09:19
Currently closed, probably due to the previous noted problems and the fact that there's a Wetherspoons just a couple of hundred yards away?
If this re-opens as a Pub, I'll be really surprised. Currently on the market, Freehold, for �350,000!
13 Apr 2009 08:58
Re-Opening in April 2009 now that the lorries brought back the furniture that the Bailiffs took away in January.
If this place carries on as it did before, just catering for the younger element, then it'll be bad news. Why not, when there's the chance, get this pub back to a family-friendly food-oriented establishment?
26 Mar 2009 11:09
Things looked fairly promising in October 2007 when the Pilgrim re-opened after a refurbishment. Since then, there�s been all sorts of trouble, blue flashing lights and smashed windows.
The pub lease has been on the market for several months, along with the White Hart nearby, but there�s been a further development with the Pilgrim, the Freehold is now for sale.
If you have a quarter of a million or so, then this once popular local could be yours as a freehouse?
18 Mar 2009 09:14
Latest bit of modernisation here has been the smashed windows at the front of the Pub. Still the same problems!
7 Feb 2009 22:32
The Bloomfield Inn, Arno's Vale
This Pub goes from strength to strength. There are now FIVE Real Ales here, as well as the usual �Top Pressure� offerings. Soon to come, or so we�ve heard, is a food offering and further decoration in the Lounge Bar at the rear.
If you�re looking for a nice family-run local, then this has to be the one Pub in the area that has all the possibilities!
7 Feb 2009 22:27
The Bloomfield Inn, Arno's Vale
Spitfire on the way soon...
CAMRA have been in and may be putting something in their magazine soon?
16 Jan 2009 01:49
The Bloomfield Inn, Arno's Vale
Spitfire on the way soon...
CAMRA have been in and may be putting something in their magazine soon?
16 Jan 2009 01:49
*** CLOSED ***
Called in for a pint and a chat with my mate earlier on today and found out the pub is closed! Not sure for how long, but there were rumours floating about over Christmas that it was going to close in January.
6 Jan 2009 18:00
The "word on the street" is that the White Hart is likely to close permanently at the end of January 2009. It's currently on the market, according to Punch Taverns website, as is the Pilgrim Inn nearby.
A lot of the problems here have arisen due to the troublemakers being barred from nearly every other pub in the area and beyond. The White Hart was the only place left where they could go. Unfortunately, they were barred too late and in the meantime, it killed off what little trade there was.
Back in the 80's, there was only one other Courage pub in Bristol that sold more Courage beer than the White Hart, the Enterprise in Bedminster (now demolished). The White Hart was also one of Courage's management training pubs, as well as holding the training courses for tenants.
The White Hart has been host to many different activities; It is usually a Polling Station at election time, it used to have a Masonic Lodge that met upstairs in the 1800's and early part of the 1900's. It was the only pub with a National Lottery terminal. The car park was a bowling green and the garage is all that remains of the Skittle Alley (the "diamond" is still there).
So, if this former Coaching Inn does go, will it be flats like the former Hollybush Inn down the road?
6 Jan 2009 11:30
The Bloomfield Inn, Arno's Vale
A New Year and more new ales in the lounge bar.
Along with the well kept Courage Best Bitter, there's Sharps "Doom Bar" and currently Gales "HSB" According to the landlord, soon to come is Adnams "Broadside".
As for the comments on the "Last Chance Saloon", those days are long gone. Now mostly "Numpty Free", this pub is well worth a visit.
6 Jan 2009 10:17
Still got the ongoing problems that were here before the pub closed two years ago. OK, the guy that's running it at the moment is trying, but the same group of people are allowed in and cause the same old problems.
It's on the market again, so if you have �30K+, then this could be yours, along with the problems that are associated with the place. Whoever does eventually take this pub on will need to be local and know "who is who" in the area.
30 Dec 2008 12:33
Now you see it, now you don�t� Or is it open or closed?
Try and pick a day to visit here when they have one, or preferably all of the following:
a) Someone with a License to run it.
b) Some beer in the cellar.
c) None of the local idiots in the public bar.
The way this is going, it will close before long!
30 Dec 2008 12:22
Like the review from 'an_ecunemical_matter' says, poor state this pub is in these days. All the Daz sniffers frequent here nowadays, hence the notices etc. Bass... Go to the Sandringham!
15 Dec 2008 00:51
The Grosvenor Arms, Southville
A proper little pub. Real people, real ale. What more do you want?
13 Dec 2008 12:59
Not only closed, but demolished and replaced by a block of flats!
7 Nov 2008 10:00
The Bloomfield Inn, Arno's Vale
What a change! Re-decorated, more real ale and several �old� regulars returning.
Like the reviews on other problem pubs in Bristol, the Bloomfield has banned the users of white substances, and we�re not talking about Sherbet Fountains, Ariel or Persil.
7 Nov 2008 00:28
Visited here with my wife on 21st October for a pint and something to eat. We're not 21 any more and wanted somewhere that can cater for sensible people and actually found the right place!
Beer (Bass) was well priced, albeit a bit frothy and the food was very good for the price. It was busy there because of the theatre crowds about to depart, but not overcrowded. We will definitely be going here again when in Plymouth!
22 Oct 2008 21:06
Heading the same way as the nearby Pilgrim - Numpties barred from there now us this place instead. It'll be closed before long at the rate things are going! (Nice sized plot of land for flats or houses?)
21 Oct 2008 09:32
After a four-month period, the Pilgrim has re-opened 12th September with a new Licensee. Unfortunately, the following day, the local idiots turned up and the blue flashing lights were not too far away!
Hopefully, and this has been said before, the new management will get this once popular pub back on its feet?
19 Sep 2008 00:22
Now re-opened after a two-week refurbishment, the Black Castle has a few new lights, DJ desk and an enlarged dance floor, area resulting in less seating in the near-bar area.
One pool table has been removed on the other side of the building leaving two to play on. No change on the beer front � All fizzy stuff and not all that cheap either!
5 Sep 2008 11:38
Currently closed (September 2008) and on Enterprise Inns' website up for lease. Shame it's closed, as it used to be a very busy place.
5 Sep 2008 11:06
The Bloomfield Inn, Arno's Vale
After a long wait, the Bloomfield Inn has changed hands at last!
Due to a few recent problems, the front doors leading to the public bar have to remain closed to keep the punters inside and off the forecourt. Unfortunately, this means the place looks as though it's closed! Access to the pub is via the lounge entrance at the side.
29 Aug 2008 10:03
Called in again last week and there is now a new manager. I asked for a pint of Blackthorn, but there was none available, so Strongbow had to fill the gap. The place looks a lot cleaner, but there are still a few cosmetics that need to be sorted, including the broken glass in the side door leading to the bar that�s been broken for months. It�s a shame the Plasma TV has a cracked screen � not sure whether it even works?
The food is now advertised again outside, but by the time I arrived, they had stopped serving and both bars were being manned by one person.
Passing the pub on other days, it is now a lot busier than it has been in recent months, even to the point where the local characters are standing outside the front door to smoke under the canopies that have been provided.
16 Aug 2008 09:55
Large red brick pub that needs a bit of TLC. Looking at the various pub sale sites, it looks like this place is again on the market?
2 Jul 2008 11:17
Now open and trading. Courage Best was OK, but at �2.60 a pint, I'd want the carpets cleaned - My feet stuck to the floor!
18 Jun 2008 15:01
Currently closed and "boarded up" following an incident outside the premises on Saturday 25th May 2008.
18 Jun 2008 14:59
The main bar is always busy and the locals are friendly. There is very well kept Draught Bass, Courage Best as well as the usual S&N selection of keg beers & lagers. For the cider enthusiast, there is Thatcher�s Traditional and Taunton �rough� ciders as well as various bottled varieties.
The skittle alley is upstairs in the function room and there are regular darts, crib and poker matches held downstairs in either of the bars. This is one of the few pubs in the area that has Sky TV.
The garden has recently been paved and is probably the best beer garden in the Brislington area.
6 Jun 2008 11:48
What a surprise � Currently closed (June 6th) due to the lack of a Licensee.
Hopefully this will be a temporary measure, but with all that�s been going on here in recent months, who in their right mind is going to take this place on?
Bottom line is that this was a disaster waiting to happen, putting youngsters in charge of a pub with a recent history of problems.
One song needed for the Jukebox is White Lines (Don't Don't Do It) by Grandmaster Melle Mel and The Furious Five! If you want to use the toilets, join the queue!
6 Jun 2008 11:38
Latest news is that you may find the pub open if there's someone there with a Licence to run it. Watch this space!
4 Mar 2008 08:32
Further to previous reviews, this place has gone right down the scale since it re-opened last year.
Nearly every weekend there's trouble with PC Plod closing the place last weekend following a nasty event.
The draught beer is no longer available all the time (if at all) and a pool table has returned with the associated problems they bring. The poor state of the toilets is enough to put anyone off returning.
4 Mar 2008 08:27
Visited the recently refurbished White Hart on Saturday with my mate, just to see what had been done. It was just about midday and apart from what we gathered was the cleaner and one other bloke, we were the only other two customers in the whole Pub! The usually �buzzing� bar was totally empty.
Looking at the selection of beers available, the sensible option for a first-time visit was the Courage best Bitter. At �2.20 a pint, not overly expensive, but a lot dearer than the John Barras days. Afterwards, we noticed the lumps of yeast at the bottom of our glasses, presumably due to the lack of line cleaning? (Tasted funny too)
The sign on the outside wall refers to a Restaurant, presumably in the lounge? If we had wanted food, then that would have been a problem as the kitchen was in total darkness!
As far as the refurbishment goes, it�s not clear on the lounge side what was actually refurbished. White cables run across wooden bar back fittings, partly decorated ceilings and the obvious lack of interest in maintenance, with light bulbs blown or fittings missing. The glass panelled door leading to the public bar had a smashed pane of glass still in need of repair.
13 Jan 2008 11:49
This is the last Pub in Knowle West after the Venture Inn Closed in Melvin Square to build flats. Sadly, the future if this place is uncertain as the current tenants have the place on the market, presumably to retire?
The next nearest Pub of this size is the Knowle Hotel near the top of Talbot Hill. The nearest Pub distance-wise is the Park House in St. Johns Lane, but who wants to climb Redcatch Hill after a night on the beer?
29 Dec 2007 19:15
Last time I walked past this place it was closed.
As the other reviewer says, it's a Gay pub, and perhaps Bristol's original one?
29 Dec 2007 19:07
Well, what can you say about a JDW venue that�s been housed in part of a new office complex. In short, it�s somewhere for the people in the �Concrete City� of Temple Quay to go for a pint.
�Early Doors� brings in all the old boys in the area that used to drink in the decent pubs in the centre of Bristol before the trendy people took them over to cater for the students that now live there. Not sure whether starting on the beer at 9:30am would go down too well where I work just round the corner?
Locally, there�s nothing within a good ten minute walk, so if you want a pint at lunchtime, then this has to be the place to go.
26 Dec 2007 22:23
Visit here on a Saturday night and you will, without doubt, have to deal with the licensed door-entry operative with the two-way radio. Yes � This is a Pub for the under 21�s, even though there is a supposed restriction on under-aged patrons. The other reviews are not far wrong; this WAS a pub where you could take your wife for Sunday lunch, but no more. Sad days!
If you don't like smoking, stay away from the central courtyard - You have to walk through it to get to the entrance!
26 Dec 2007 22:11
Just been refurbished with a brand new "olive-green" coat of paint on the outside.
The pub has been the busiest in Brislington for many years and therefore has, in the past, attracted most of the rowdies.
Now that the Hollybush Inn has been demolished to build flats, the only other pub on the main road through Brislington is the Kings Arms.
I've yet to visit the refurbished interior - Watch this space for a review!
26 Dec 2007 21:57
The photograph from 2006 shows the builder locking up the front door after completing the "boarding up". The pub has since been demolished and in December 2007, the foundations are in for the new block of flats on the site.
The three remaining pubs are open, with the White Hart & Pilgrim just being refurbished and the Kings Arms opposite carrying on as it always has.
13 Dec 2007 10:33
Did not take long - Already been trouble in here agter it re-opened. Usual suspects that were probably banned by the previous tenant?
9 Dec 2007 09:39
The Langton Court Hotel, St Anne's
Tucked away in the back streets of St. Anne�s is the Langton Court Hotel. Purpose built around 1902, the pub stands on the site of the Langton Court House. One part of the old house still remains at the rear of the car park.
There is a skittle alley and function room as well as a recently added decked area for the smokers.
31 Oct 2007 13:28
Currently having a long overdue refurbishment (Oct �07). This is the largest of the Brislington village pubs and in recent years had the biggest problems. Hopefully things will improve if the owners get a good operator to take this pub on? Watch this space!
31 Oct 2007 13:18
The Kings Arms is the smallest of what were the four pubs in Brislington village and thankfully has not changed too much in the last thirty odd years.
The selection of beer is now fairly good and reasonably priced. Live music and quiz nights draw people in as well. The only negative point is that if you are over six feet tall, then this is the place to get a stiff neck. (Mind your head!)
31 Oct 2007 12:40
The Bloomfield Inn, Arno's Vale
If you are barred from any of the local pubs, then this has to be the �Last Chance Saloon�. Walking past the pub on a Friday tea-time is best done on the other side of the road due to the yobs stood outside drinking cans of cider. There�s been a �For Sale� sign outside on & off for the last couple of years.
On the good side of things, the Lounge bar at the rear is comfortable and the regulars friendly. There�s a garden at the rear with a slide & climbing frame for the kids as well as a canopy for the smokers.
31 Oct 2007 12:36
The Sandringham Hotel got a bad reputation a few years ago due to the poor management. Those days are long gone and the local troublemakers have been banned.
The main bar is always busy and the locals are friendly. There is very well kept Draught Bass, Courage Best as well as the usual S&N selection of keg beers & lagers. For the cider enthusiast, there is Thatcher�s Traditional and Taunton �rough� ciders.
There�s a full size snooker in the public bar and a skittle alley upstairs in the function room. The garden has recently been paved and is probably the best beer garden in the Brislington area.
31 Oct 2007 12:28
The Pilgrim re-opened Tuesday 23rd October after a major refurbishment. They did a good job, but the bar is only half the length it used to be and there is no longer a dividing wall to keep the noise in the bar. Apparently, Sky TV is planned, to I guess it won�t be a place for a quiet pint when the football is on?
Not sure how long before the local yobs will wreck the place?
On a positive note, there�s a good selection of beer and it�s reasonably priced, compared to the other two pubs remaining in the centre of Brislington village.
31 Oct 2007 11:49
Closed 2006 and demolished 2007.
Builders have now moved in to build flats on the site (October 2007)
12 Oct 2007 12:25
The Palace, Bristol
XXX CLOSED XXX
15 Dec 2019 09:49