Bristol Fringe Cafe Bar, Bristolback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Now known as the Bristol Fringe Cafe Bar for some bizarre reason, I decided to check this out to see what had changed since my previous review. In short, nothing much. The landlady and decor are the same, the crepes have apparently been replaced by pies and Bath Ales Gem has been added to the line-up on the bar. Other than that, I did not notice any discernable difference , and the name even lives on as The Greyhound sign is now a fixture on the inside of the pub.
In addition to my previous notes, I would also add that there is a pile of board games on the window sill, a baby grand piano in the front part of the bar, a table football game in the rear, and there is an outside area which is unusual in this part of town. This consists of a small courtyard with decking, an old sofa besides the metal tables and chairs, and a barbeque. Being surrounded by tall buildings it�s not going to get too much in the way of sun, but does nonetheless offer the chance of some fresh air, unless the front part of the pub which was somewhat smoky thanks to the smokers huddled in the doorway.
There were a number of posters up for the Edinburgh Fringe, so perhaps this has influenced the pub�s name in some way. There are also piano nights on Thursdays and live music nights on Saturdays.
|
Having been closed for a few months, it�s good to see this Clifton local re-open again at last. It�s had an extensive refurbishment, and feels quite different to how it did before. Whereas formerly there were separate rooms at the front and rear with a corridor joining the two, the corridor has gone and the front bar now extends right back to the rear bar, with now just a wall separating the two. This is at the expense of the loos which were off the corridor, and consequently the new ones are quite tiny, but they serve their purpose.
The front bar has an almost wine bar like feel to it rather than your traditional pub, and this is perhaps unsurprising as the new landlady is French. Flooring is rough wood boards and paintwork is mostly cream with some maroon detailing, and there is wooden cladding on the lower part of the walls, as well as some rough wood panels on the bar counter. An old beer barrel acts as a convenient place to rest your pint just inside the door, and elsewhere there are a few leather sofas. The rear bar is somewhat smaller and has a quite different character. At the back is a stage area with various drums and lights and consequently it would seem that music is to be a key feature here. The ceiling is black and the lighting is dozens of small yellow globe lights hanging from the ceiling at various heights.
Reflecting the landlady�s nationality perhaps, the menu consists of a selection of crepes, both savoury and sweet. These looked tempting, and whilst we didn�t indulge on this occasion, I�m sure we�ll pay a return visit. Beers on tap were Butcombe and Doom Bar. The solitary cider was Thatcher�s Gold.
|
Used to be great, good atmosphere for the footy with a decent pint of ale.
Now, it isn't.
Beer poor, it's tatty and needs a decent clean and the huge screen at the back while not bad for sport is ruined by the fact that the only sound is a tinny noise that comes out of the projector itself.
It's like having the sound of a 80's portable on a 50"tv in your front room.
Shockingly bad, will not be back.
|
This pub unfortunately has an established image of opening,and closing again reasonably rapidly.
There were two beers on , when I visited , otter,and Tribute , the quality of the latter drinkable , but only just.
As said before plenty of handpumps not being used.
Based on this visit has the overall feeling of a pub that is going to close again. PLEASE prove me wrong.
|
*sorry last post should have read out of 7 handpumps!
|
as previous post this is certainly lacking it atmophere,totally dead on a sat afternoon when the outside street is bustling,only s a tribute on(�3.20)out of handpumps but was very good,5/10 ...ok but no reason to rush back!
|
No beer, no atmosphere, what a waste of a once good pub. 1/10 just because the door was open
|
Now taken over by Julia (ex Cornubia) so should become a friendly local. There were two beers on when I visited which were in good condition. A long narrow bar which is much bigger than you might expect from outside and a smaller sport bar at the back.
MrKiA - 23 Jan 2011 17:07 |
3 beers on tap (Doom Bar, Bath Ales Gem and Courage Best) plus four ciders, although all fizzy keg stuff (Blackthorn, Strongbow, Bulmers and Stowford Press). Why have four all very similar?
Nice refurb, although could perhaps do with a bit more seating. A lounge type area at the back with a few low leather sofa's, and a bar at the front. Very nice barmaid, at least on Tuesdays.
|
wooden tables and chairs decor , rather like a log cabin , which is quite popular decor wise for quite a few clifton pubs , ie somerset house , the coronation tap , which isn't over comfortable , real ales ,doombar ,gem ., courage best , choice not over inspiring , friendly bar staff and customers , lovely dog . 6/10
|
Well-done refurb and nice beer garden. Don't go mad and order a real ale, mind.
|
This pub is a million times better now it has had a massive refurb and got rid of that stinking carpet! The only pub in the village with Sky Sports. Oh and it has my favourite barmaid ever! Lagers and real ales are top notch and quite cheap compared to others in the village
|
Been a couple of times recently and it's not too bad. Not great, but not too bad. Standard range of beers, standard Clifton prices. They do have Sky Sports, unlike most of the other pubs in the area, so worth bearing in mind.
|
Smelly, grotty boozer. Sole redeeming feature a new'ish pool table. Indifferent beer served with a grunt.
|
|
