Pump House, Hotwellsback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE!! ALE DRINKERS AVOID. We stopped by for a quick pint or two. Hmm, I thought fairly interesting choice of ale: Butcombe, Otter, Tribute and Gloucester Gold. tried a pint of the latter which unfortunately was cloudy and slightly sour. Upon returning the pint, the sympathetic bar lady needed to draw attention to her 'superior', who came over. The attitude from this gentlemen and also from someone I believe was called 'Steve' (the manager?) was that it is supposed to be cloudy but if 'he wants to change it then we canl'. I tried to point out that, aside from a few 'wheat beers' real ale is in fact NOT supposed to be served cloudy and a thus fawlty towersesque conversation ensued where this particular Basil would not back down on his argument that Tribute and other ales are supposed to be cloudy. Please do not argue with your customers, when the product your are serving is substandard - would you do the same thing if it was food? Again, an example of a pub, just by being in an 'attractive' location, making bugger all effort in terms of quality of produce or customer service. Oh, and the subsequent pint of Butcombe was flat, but of course, I did not return this one, as it is probably supposed to be served flat, and at possibly at room temperature well. Will not be returning to this one!
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As the reviews below have adequately covered off the main drinking part of the pub, I will restrict myself to a few notes about the upstairs restaurant �
It�s a fairly small room compared with the expansive downstairs, and has a contemporary, open feel to it. It isn�t a complete separate floor, but rather a mezzanine type meaning that the row of tables along the front overlooks the pub below. The flooring is all wooden boards and the walls a mixture of fresh white plasterwork and old exposed brickwork. Various art was dotted around the walls, all of it for sale, although with some of the prices being the best part of �4,000 it�s unlikely to be a spur of the moment purchase. A small glass atrium in the roof let in some natural light, but also unfortunately some water when it started pouring down.
Food is firmly in the �gastro-pub� territory with renowned local chef Toby Gritten at the helm. We enjoyed what we had, and would happily return, but, and it�s a big but, a three course meal for two and a bottle of wine cost us over �100, so if you�re expecting some basic pub grub, this isn�t the place for you. To be fair though, there were a couple of choices available from each course as part of a �three courses for �20� deal.
It was full to capacity on a recent Saturday evening visit, so clearly they�re doing something right, but this is of course very much a top end restaurant in all but name.
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Horrible! Horrible! Horrible! Unfortunately, a friend chose this place for her birthday do. If we had come to this place any other time we would have turned right around and left. As we drank our �4.15 beers, we saw at least 2 groups of people walk in, look at the menu and leave - one of them got to the bar and then left. The group that made it to the bar probably found out that they charge you 50p for using a card - not a credit card, mind you - a debit card, which IS CASH. Almost everyone in our group ordered chips because that was the one item that wasn't ridiculously over-priced. And they didn't even bring sauces out. If this place is so posh and upper crust, I expect the chef's own mayonnaise or some other interesting sauce, but no. We ordered the �7.50 Ploughman's - the cheese one, because to have a slice of ham is �8.50. The Ploughman's was basic and small - nothing special and nothing that justifies the extra money. We were still hungry after, so we ordered chips. I'm willing to pay a lot of money for an exceptional meal and have done on many occasions. This is the kind of a--hole restaurant where they count on people not objecting to being royally screwed. It's a beautiful location and the waitstaff are very nice, but that's not enough to keep me from advising that you run away!
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Visited for the first time yesterday, before going to the football at Ashton Gate. Very pleasant pub, with an excellent location. One can imagine sitting outside on the raised terrace watching the world pass way on the waterway.
Staff are very friendly and efficient and the butcombe, gem and tribute were all in excellent menu. The food looked very nice, will return on my next visit to Bristo.
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Large pub with a good location on the edge of the harbour. There�s a few outside tables and these quickly fill up on a sunny afternoon. We found it a bit noisy outside though with lots of kids running around, so retreated in doors to some of the comfy sofa�s in the window.
The pub was done up a few years ago, and to my mind it�s lost some of it�s character. It used to have quite a cosy feeling with carpeted floors, but now it�s all red tiles and somewhat harsher. That said, it�s a decent enough place, the staff were friendly and helpful and the background jazz music created a relaxing ambience. They�ve tried to move it more upmarket with an upstairs restaurant doing some quite unusual dishes. If they�re going to succeed with their upmarket approach though, they need to concentrate on the basics � Mrs. Blackthorn reported that of the three cubicles in the ladies, one was flooded, one was blocked and the other had a broken seat. Not good.
Beers on this occasion were Doom Bar, Butcombe and Tribute. The only cider was Symonds Founders Reserve.
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This used to be the other pub to miss out on a crawl round the docks. Visited yesterday to see if it had changed and was pleasantly surprised. Customers mostly young and good-natured. Three ales on, ours wasn't drinkable, but was immediately replaced by a very helpful and cheerful barmaid.
MrKiA - 12 Jul 2009 17:59 |
beatles38 - you are right, I could have explained my point more clearly. I was trying to say that BS8drinker was criticising LukeD for making comments on pubs when he has a vested interest in pubs, and yet BS8drinker appears to be doing exactly the same thing! I also wanted to say that at least LukeD was using his own name, so people who know the pubs and landlords in the area would be aware of his interest. I also agree with you that LukeD has expressed an honest and unbiased (if sometimes harsh!) opinion.
MrKiA - 11 Jul 2009 17:05 |
I can't really understand what point mrkia 8 is trying to make , the question of who BS8 drinker is irellevant , I mean what do they propose will happen? if we find out their identity ? obviously you don't have to be Sherlock Holmes to realise they have a connection ,with one or more of these pubs ,as all ? are in bristol 8 .If they choose to protect their identity that is up to them , I do ,and so do many others .The arguement that they may have a vested interest , is bit like saying Luke has a vested interest in saying the blank Arms is the best pub in Hotwell's because he used to work there,and by the way I don't believe that is the case , just for the record it is a very good pub
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It is interesting that bs8drinker hides their identity, only registered on Wednesday 8th July, has only made three comments, and all three of these comments are having a go at LukeD. Is it possible that this person signed up to purely to have a go at Luke? Could they be closely associated with one of the five pubs LukeD commented on? Draw your own conclusions!
By the way I think it perfectly acceptable that a landlord should comment on other pubs, particularly when HE is NOT hiding his identity.
MrKiA - 10 Jul 2009 17:41 |
VERY PROFFESSIONAL-LANDALORD OF CORNUBIA SLAGGIN OFF OTHER PUBS IN TOWN-WANDER DOES HIS BOSS KNOW
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The fish and chips that I was served was average, and they boasted that you only got 12 chips. they stack them like a jenga set. They are actually proud of it. When I went with some friends for sunday roast, I was astounded. By how little we got. I especially asked the waitress for my beef to be well overcooked. (there was no other option available.) I distinctly asked for there to be NO PINK. It turned up pink in the middle. I returned to the bar to complain. Then the manager returned with my steak and a rare one, to compare them. I do not go to a eating house for the manager to try to show me up in front of my friend and argue with me. If I ask for my beef to be overcooked, I expect it to be done, or the chef to come out and say that he is not prepared to do it, which i accept.
They charge over two pounds for a pint of lime and soda.
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The current incarnation of the Pump House is far superior to previous ones. Not cheap, but my fish and chips was of high quality and the Old Peculier was in good knick.
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nICE view , nice food , if not a cheap pub meal , had a nice pint of Directors .
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Pleasant inside but was expecting a more traditional interior rather than the all too common contemporary face lift. Great for sitting outside on the waters edge on a sunny afternoon/evening. Friendly atmosphere.
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Marston's have spent a lot of money doing this place up. I'm not sure I really like the end product unreservedly, but on a sunny evening it's a nice place to sit outside, enjoying a pint of good Butcombe (or indeed anthing else you fancy). Cheerful service, pleasant atmosphere.
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A very great tasting pint of Theakston Old Peculiar was quaffed at this Marstons Tavern, bit pricey at �2.90 a pint but lovely pub in great location, friendly service too,8/10
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SURPRISINGLY GOOD!!
The last time I visited the Pump House was about 3 years ago when I vowed never to return. However, having read about a change of ownership and the good reviews in the local press we thought we'd give it another chance. We didn't book as it was a last minute decision, and were quite happy to just have a drink and perhaps a light snack. However, after looking at the restaurant menu we were persuaded to plump for a proper feed - and in fact ended up having 3 courses each! The food was fantastic - really original combinations of ingredients. Our waiter was pleasant and polite and was happy to chat with us for a while at the end of the evening - when I promised him I would spread the word.
My partner and I had a thoroughly good evening and would recommend the new look Pump House whole heartedly. We will be returning to try out their Sunday lunch menu at some point soon.
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Wow what a transformation! Only just paid my 1st visit to The Pump House since the change of ownership (which I beleive was in July 07) and I would definately recommend to those who quite simply would like to enjoy a drink or bar snack in the ground floor bar area or as we did, enjoy a superb meal in the upstairs restaurant.
We live within walking distance so the Wine list also went down a treat!
I can only say good comments about the place, fantastic menu, mouth watering food and friendly staff.
Lets hope we have a better summer this year to enable me to sit and enjoy Pimms on the waterfront!
I enjoy fine dining and this is definately the place to do it!
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WORST NEW YEAR EVER..........DO NOT GO HERE!!!!
We booked the New Years Eve Evening Last Night. It cost �5 per person to enter and the set meal was �25 per person plus a bottle of wine and 2 soft drinks came to �78. Total of �90 Spent for a meal for 2.
The first thing was that our table was next to the door, no other option available, so I spent all night with people knocking my chair every time they passed. Secondly the menu was limited to four options for each course. As a vegetarian I had only one option for the starter and the main.
We persevered and the starter came, My Carrot soup was more like carrot puree and pretty tasteless. No bread roll came with this either. My wife had the chicken ceaser salad which was OK.
The Main course continued on a downward spiral. The Lamb shank that my wife had ordered turned out to be incredibly salty and the tiny amount of mashed potato (looked like Smash) and vegetables that came with it were awful. I had the only choice of a vegetable risotto. This was about the same consistency as the soup. It contained only rice, carrots and a few small pieces of cheese, again very little portion and no taste at all.
The desert didn�t compensate for the disastrous meal either; the chocolate brownie was a dry non chocolate brownie with chocolate sauce on the plate and a small scoop of ice cream. The sticky toffee pudding whilst tasty was smaller than � a chocolate bar.
There was a Jazz band playing which in themselves were talented. However the keyboard player seemed to drown out the singer and the drummer. There was little to no atmosphere created and no attempt at fire works for midnight or and special count down, no TV, no radio nothing! The singer held her own watch to count down to the New Year.
I cannot remember a worst evening out in my life.
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Has now re-opened.
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This pub has just been re-opened under new management and has under gone a pleasant transformation. The food is superb with the award winning chef who opened "The Albion" in Clifton village at the helm!! The food is reasonably priced and the beer is refreshing especially when sat out in the sunshine on the waterside. And with the upstairs restaurant offering fine dining the Pump House has really undergone a total transformation!!!
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Closed as of March 2007 and has been for some months. This is unsurprising as the Pumphouse has little to offer other than waterfront summer drinking. Can't decide whether it's a bar or a pub or a restaurant. As the post below says there are plenty of better options nearby, which explains why it's currently shut.
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If you're going to leave out one pub on a Bristol docks pub crawl, make it this one. Each successive refurbishment makes it progressively worse - this time it's sporting the sofas, leather armchairs and brushed metal bar counter look, totally inappropriate for this historic Victorian building. Add in mediocre, expensive beer and pedestrian food, then walk on 50 yards to the Merchants Arms or Nova Scotia and breathe a sigh of relief.
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This is a great pub in the sunshine as they have 30+ tables outside. However a but dire in the winter. The stroppy old publican has moved on this year hopefull they will do better under the new management. I havent seen any of Quentines people thier.
Matt - 5 Oct 2004 21:40 |
is now predominantly a gay bar
quentin - 19 Sep 2003 22:21 |
A lovely place to sit outside next to the harbour with a beer. Inside is very samey and contrived. The landlord is unfriendly, and is clearly only interested in money, and the beer is probably amongst the most expensive in Bristol. Stay outside and send someone else in for the drinks!
Armitage Shanks - 28 Jul 2003 16:05 |
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