The Bell Inn, Bristol - pub details
Address: 21 Alfred Place, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8HD [map] [gmap]
Tel: 0871 917 0007 (ref 23722)
Redland (0.6 miles), Clifton Down (0.6 miles), Montpelier (0.7 miles)
Pub facilities/features:
- Real ale
NB: Information may be incomplete or out of date as this pub is not currently registered.
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> Current user rating: 7.0/10 (rated by 7 users)
> Local guide: Bristol pub guide
other pubs nearby:
Kingsdown Wine Vaults, Cotham (0.1 miles), Cotham Porter Stores, Cotham (0.1 miles), Kings Arms, Bristol (0.1 miles), White Bear, Bristol (0.1 miles), Highbury Vaults, Bristol (0.2 miles) - see more nearby pubs
user reviews of the Bell Inn, Bristol
please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
5 most recent reviews of 8 shown - see all reviews
| Very fair review TWG. I also applaud Glen Dawkins for his sympathetic pub takeovers, keeping the good bits and expanding the beer range. But the prices are a bit much. I happen to know that at least one of the beers being sold for over £3 a pint when I visited is being supplied to the pub for under £1 a pint. I know pubs have overheads, but I can't help but feel that this sort of pricing is counterproductive, especially in the current financial climate. Great pubs, but good value? Moog - 11 Oct 2008 20:48 |
| When the news winged its way eastwards that the trusty Mr Dawkins now had a hand in the Bell's future, I felt a further visit was merited to find out whether his usually winsome combination of unpretentious traditional local and excellent beer house is restoring the Bell to its former glories. On arriving at Bristol I soon discovered a name-change was planned, to "the Green Man", primarily to avoid the frequent confusion with the nearby Bell on Hillgrove Street. Fair enough I thought, although it did make me wonder what other radical, possibly unnecessary, alterations might be in the pipeline. Pleasingly, a visit last Sunday proved I have little if anything to worry about. It seems the new incumbents are throwing themselves into things, and seem to be both pleasant, and well-informed as to the good aspects of the pub's past, and what will improve it in the future. Several casks have already appeared behind the small bar - a feat in itself - and the candles were being dished out at nightfall creating that unique mellow atmosphere. Plenty of customers arrived to try it, and seemed to be enjoying what they found, so I suspect Mr Dawkins may well have another hit on his hands here. Best of luck with the forthcoming opening of the kitchen for grub, and the switch in nomenclature - by the way, the new name also represents the fact that all products are to be organic. The only troubling thing - the prices! Sadly for all the advantages, Dawkins Taverns must represent some of the worst value for money in Bristol, with the cheapest ale weighing in at around £2.70 and the most expensive roaming into the realms of the £3.50 bracket! Perhaps he believes his boozers are SO good the locals will always pay, but in these troubled times of credit crisis and economic implosion, one wonders. I understand some Dawkins places are leasehold, so maybe it's to cover an exorbitant rent. But come on Glen, you're good, but not THAT good! A bit more value at the bar would surely deliver even greater rewards longer-term? TWG - 8 Oct 2008 17:35 |
| It is reported that Glen Dawkins of the Hillgrove,Victoria and Portcullis success stories has bought this pub. Couldn't have been bought by a better bloke!!!! an_ecunemical_matter - 24 Jun 2008 21:53 |
| A tasty selection of beers, friendly staff and they even put my peanuts in a bowl for me. Dark and quiet - a bit like a library, but I dare say it livens up later in the evening. Well worth a visit. gbiddlegbiddlegboh - 26 Mar 2007 13:57 |
| Happily, I was once a frequent visitor to this pub, and since leaving Bristol I always made it one of my first ports-of-call when revisiting. It was run with flair and energy by Anna Luke (the "eccentric landlady" referred to below!) for some 15 years, and she was possibly one of the most welcoming landladies I know - and I've known a few. She'd usually be found chatting with the locals, on either side of the bar, in her distinctly gravelly tones and generally keeping the bar alive. She ran a tight ship, although I never remember any rulings about hats, or swearing; Anna was known to utter some fairly fruity stuff herself! The Bell was a well-heeled local but that didn't stop it appealing to old locals as well as young students, like me. Only 3, but very well-conditioned ales were sold (usually Abbey Bellringer, something from Wickwar and maybe Uley or RCH), always overpriced but that didn't really matter because it was the craic that would keep one returning for more. Candles in bottles would always be lit in the evenings, which created a distinct ambience especially for couples. It used to get pretty steamy in there, but again, we really didn't care! Sadly for us, but deservedly for her, Anna retired in Dec '05. I revisited in June this year, and found essentially the same place, but simply without any life. Anna was a hard act to follow and maybe I' didn't give it a chance, but it came across as sterile, by-numbers (the ubiquitous common lager fonts had already been installed and only 2 rather obvious ales were on, for a start) place. Pleasant licensee, but none of the vim and vigour of old. All the candles in bottles had been relegated to a pile in the corner. Somehow, it just wasn't the same. Maybe visit for a quick one, it still isn't a BAD pub, just no longer reaching its potential. TWG - 18 Oct 2006 17:07 |
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