#092 The Lanes

Mike

One of the things we often like about bars is the pub sports on offer. Not that we don’t like one another’s company, but it can really add to an evening to have a diversion like pool, darts, bowling…

Wait, bowling? That’s not a pub sport, surely! Well, truck on down to The Lanes and, sure enough, you can drink and bowl.

The clue is in the name.

Of course, as with many bars before this, we completely neglected to partake of the venue’s signature attraction, thanks to a last minute decision to go here on a Saturday when the lanes at The Lanes were fully booked.

#076 The Kingsdown Wine Vaults

Mike

How many people these days have a ‘local’? Inner city bars are big business, where independent venues can thrive off a niche or a quirk. Traditional pubs out of the town centre, on the other hand are ever in danger.

Areas like Cotham, then, can be proud of their little bars like The Kingsdown Wine Vaults. Barely enough room to swing a cat, but that’s all part of the character and charm in this friendly little pub.

The kind of pub you can take your dog to. (Photo by the Bristol Post)

Adam and I took a trip down here of a weekday evening for an open mic night. My flatmate had a slot performing; had this not been the case, I might never have known this quaint bar existed, hidden away in residential side streets as it is.

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#050 Hatchet Inn

Mike

Whoa. We’re halfway there.

The Hatchet Inn is in the running for the claim of Bristol’s oldest pub. The listed building has been officially licensed since 1606, and although there have been countless refurbishment efforts the front door still allegedly holds an ancient secret…

A fine establishment to bury a Hatchet Inn.

#049 Colston Hall

Rich

Probably not best known for its bar, Colston Hall is situated on the aptly named Colston Street and host to some of Bristol’s best musical offerings all year round. Nonetheless, it will serve us alcohol, so we’ll sit and have a drink and write about it!

#025 Start The Bus

Mike

Drink. Food. Music. These three factors are fast becoming the central pillars in my evaluation of Bristol’s bars, pubs, and clubs. Enter Start The Bus, a venue that offers to satisfy all three of these desires.

Second bar I’ve covered whose name I found very confusing before moving to Bristol.

Firstly, the drink. And there is a lot of that to choose from. Over a dozen draught options, from local cask ales to foreign lagers, and a solid selection of bottles besides. I have two modes when it comes to drinking: adventure and familiarity. I’m either excited to try something new, or happy to have something tried and tested. With Bus’s range from every-bar standards like Becks and Amstel to beers from as far afield as Brooklyn Brewery, there’s plenty of variety to wet your whistle.

#022 Copper Jacks Crafthouse

Mike

Good music and good drinks, what more can you ask for? Copper Jacks Crafthouse serves up both with a liberal helping of style at a great venue in the old city, on the corner of Clare Street and St Nick’s.

Copper Jacks? I ‘ardly know ‘er, Jacks!

As we entered at around eight o’clock, the place was already lively, with a crowd pleasing jazz combo up on stage. The classic architecture of the area really lends itself to the vibe of this place, something like a speak-easy with a flair for local beers, ales, and cider.

#013 The Gallimaufry

Mike

High time we made our way onto Gloucester Road, and where better to start than the figurehead of independence, individuality, and intrigue that is The Gallimaufry.

Image Credit: Gallimaufry Website (click image)