Adam
Few things are more exciting than flying a plane. Though I never earned my licence I used to fly in a glider with my Dad and beating up an airfield doing above 100kph gives you one hell of a rush – I will probably never forget the moment I first landed one by myself.
So I can get where the Aviator Bar up in Redland is coming from and I was pretty eager to suggest it when Mike and I needed a place to watch a bit of Six Nations rugby on a sunny afternoon a few weeks ago.
The name is in part born from one of the last working Bristol Hercules Engines in existence. This particular one belongs to the father-in-law of Aviator Bar’s Gavin Hogg and it represents the 1920s and 30s when Bristol led the aviation world.
It inspired Gavin’s passion for Bristol aviation and when he started this bar along with five others (all with backgrounds in the beer trade) that passion led to the name.
And you really can’t miss the theme when you walk in. It’s a small venue and every inch of it feels personalised towards flight. There are propellers on the walls, pictures of famous moments in aviation history and (as you’d expect) a bit of a theme in the drinks menu.
Mike treated himself to an Aviator Wing while I opted for a Shipyard American Pale Ale. The bar works with Wickwar Brewery and plan to brew more, unique aviator themed beers soon. I’m told the ethos behind drinks here is to promote good quality beers that are a step away from the mainstream, but while still offering some standard choices for those of a less explorative nature.
There’s also food so we had a meat board, and the staff were kind enough to throw in some tasty free chips that they were giving out in honour of the rugby being on. That’s Aviator Bar all over really: friendly, generous and keen to put on little offers or events to give people a good time.
Now Aviator Bar is as new as it gets really, it opened this year and any regulars will see additions and changes all the time. Right now they’re working on opening up an outside terrace and a bigger food menu for summer. In the long term they might even open more venues elsewhere.
So this place is worth going a bit out of your way for. If nothing else it was a great excuse for Mike to wear his aviator sunglasses. Chocks away..
Aviator Bar (2B Chandos Road, Bristol, BS6 6PE)is open 5pm to 11pm Mondays to Thursdays, 4pm-12.30pm on Fridays, 11am – 12.30am on Saturdays and 11am – 10pm on Sundays.
Bristol Bar Blog 
I visited the Aviator on Sunday for the first time with my wife and young son. On arrival we were greated with a smile from somebody who seemed wanted to be there instead of somebody who was thinking ‘oh god Ive got a customer’ which makes a difference. I ordered an Oyster Stout which was excellent, my wife had a complimentary G&T due to being mothers day….. nice touch. We shared a half meat / cheese platter which again was excellent and full of flavour. The decor was fitting to the name and theme so top marks there, particularly the bottle shelf / wing on the wall….. again nice touch.
All in all a lovely little place, just off the beaten track but worthwhile finding it
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