please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
A tip top pub on Camra''s National Inventory,this was the best pub that we visited In Bath.
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Excellent pub and I have voted this the best of the 8 narrowly beating The Raven to top spot.
A proper pub, the four of us came in here around 8pm on Saturday night and it was so good we stayed for 3 rounds.
4 ales on tap and the 3 I had were excellent, I particular enjoyed the Cardinal Sin @ 6% from Abbey Ales.
Really good bunch of clients and I particular like the swing saloon style doors to the ladies toilet.
Amusing women sat near the Men's toilet that kept falling asleep, this amused me and my pal no end.
Truly is a great pub and I will definitely visit this one the next time I'm here
10/10 from me.
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Fulhampete has it spot on. Always the place I head for when in the town-sorry, city. A real gem.
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Best pub in Bath. Bass staight out of the barrel and a lovely pint too. Quirky interior and interesting locals. Everything a pub should be, no TV, no piped music, no fruit machines, just chat and good beer.
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A pleasantly quirky place with several small, wooden-panelled rooms. These include the service area which is called Death Row because of the format with would-be customers sitting in a line. Several good local beers and a friendly atmosphere.
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Tremendous, historic hostelry full of character. Excellent ale to be enjoyed in the many nooks and crannies. To think it was near to being closed for good just a few years ago by the rapacious pubco, Punch! Now carefully and successfully steered by local lessees Abbey ales.
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too busy and tired to get up to the Star last weekend........we missed out i think!
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Classic unspoilt town pub, never changing, not impressed with the spotty faced youth serving though.
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Wonderful time warp pub. A must visit destination for lovers of real ales, real pubs and historic interiors. Bass served straight from the barrel via a jug. But also the home of "Abbey Ales". I tried Bellringer and can recommend this as a tasty , moreish session beer. Some day all pubs will be like this. I wish !!!
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Very good pub, old fashioned, doesn't pretend to be anything other than what it is a good boozer. Good range of real ale well kept, friendly atmosphere, should be part of any crawl.
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Visited recently with some chums who had never been to The Star before. Fairly quiet monday lunch, not too busy, good opportunity to check out all the nooks and crannys. Had a pint of Draught Bass for first time in several years - v good. Everyone well impressed. One of the South West's finest!
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Visited Bath at end of January and popped into the Star, packed on a Thursday night. Unspoilt, traditionally laid-out pub with two main rooms but other nooks and crannies in which to sit - if you're lucky - stand, or lean. It's something special because even when it's standing room only, you're glad you're in there. Was offered nibbles from a cheese platter on bar while pints were poured. Think we had an Abbey Bellringer and possibly Bath Star, but missed out on the Bass this time. Perching on the pew by the door might require you to look after other drinkers' vestments at busy times, but you shouldn't mind, as an hour or so in the Star can be a quasi-religious experience for any drinker jaded by the majority of places trading as 'pubs' today. Splendid.
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Almost everything that can be said about The Star has already been said so I can only really add that I agree. Hilarious landlord and good staff too!
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Was there a bit back and enjoyed the Star! Smallesh interior but has a great atmosphere and good fire. Good selection of ales and likely the best damned pour of a Bass I've ever had-- straight from the barrel. Lovely. Highly recommended!
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What a fantastic pub.
I tried bell-ringer, Bass from the barrel and enjoyed ever last drop.
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On our recent return trip to Bath this was the first pub we made a bee-line for. The place is wonderful - as usual I enjoyed the Bass served straight from the barrel.
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A must on all Bath pub crawls for lovers of the traditional English pub. Completely unspoilt and traditional multi roomed local, now run by Abbey Ales, most beers out of the barrel, even the draught Bass is superb. No food other than rolls and bar snacks. What more does a man want than a good pint of ale, an open fire and a newspaper in a corner in a pub like this? Absolute heaven.
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If CAMRA ran the world, all pubs would be like this, basic with little distraction from the beer and rich in nooks, with indeed the odd cranny to boot. Self-consciously old-fashioned but none the worse for that, and excellent of its type. The Abbey ales are superbly kept.
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Last pub on an extensive and very enjoyable tour of Bath pubs. The Star was still open at around midnight, and buzzing.
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Wonderful CAMRA National Inventory pub with lots of rooms, nooks and crannies. Abbey Bellringer and gravity Bass were excellent. Staff helpful and lively conversation the order of the day. Splendid!
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A marvelous building with its wood panelling and spacious seating areas. On the weekeend we visited they were holding their annual Cornish fest with Spingo, and coastal brewery beers available. Beer was excellent quality, with a fine choice available.
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not a bad pub , with good wood panelling rch steeplejack , jennings cumberland ale spitfire , and brc rch , , as said not bad , but would prefer the bell if in the area
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Excellent ambience, good beer and friendly, informative barman.
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Pub No.6 on our crawl of Bath. Only a 5 min walk from the city centre and well worth it. Very old pub c.1760 with 3 separate seating areas. We ventured here for the Bass served from the Wood but I think it looked more like a metal keg. Aswell as the Bass there were 4 other beers on draught including Abbey - Bellringer and Abbey - Mild which I'd recommend. The CAMRA beer guide also mentioned this place has complimentary snuff. Having never tried this before the barman was more than happy to show us how and it gave an interestingly menthol smell and tingly feeling in your nostrils!
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I can only really echo what most others on here have said. A real gem of a pub, probably unchanged for a hundred years or so, and well worth the short trek away from the city centre to get there.
Friendly barman, real fire, quiz nights, lots of interesting pictures on the wall, no food apart from a few rolls behind the bar. All the ingredients of a proper pub, and a very pleasant one at that.
Beers on this occasion were Abbey�s Bellringer and Resurrection, plus Titanic Lifeboat , Hobgoblin and Bass straight from the barrel. The only cider was Blackthorn.
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Small multi-roomed pub which other posters have described in greater detail. Timing once again seems to be of the essence, as on my visit to this pub it just ticked all the boxes. Friendly and helpful barmaid, welcoming locals and a top form pint of Abbey Bellringer (unrecognisable from the one I just had at the Pig and Fiddle) all in a proper old fashioned pub.
anonymous - 14 Mar 2010 09:28 |
The small, individual rooms gives this place a charming atmosphere. Great beers but not really much in the way of food so if you're bit of a gastro then you may go hungry. Still come here though and you may well be converted!
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Visited many times over the years and I have to be honest and say while the pub is a gem I have never ever found it to all add up for me. On the recent visit I found the barman to be inefficient and bordering on uncouth towards females who as usual didn't know what they wanted. In addition the Lancaster ale I had was only moderate,though not sendback quality. The open fires were also very overpowering on a not exactly freezing day.
It just didn't cut the mustard for me (again) but still ok to visit.
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An absolute classic. Beautiful interior, loads of character, friendly and well worth the walk up the hill from the city centre. The Abbey Ales Bellringer was top notch, as was the Lancaster Red. Small rooms, warm fire, real atmosphere. If this pub can't get local Pub of the Year, then the locals of Bath are truly blessed! Best pub in Bath on our recent visit.
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Unmissable pub when in Bath. A basic and somewhat weathered exterior opens up into a fine Victorian gem. There are 4 rooms all panelled with benches around the outside. The smallest only contains a single bench known as Death Row locally. There are some great photos and paintings on the walls a fine fireplace in one of the rooms and a very friendly atmosphere in the whole place. There were only 4 people in when we arrived and every one of them said hello when we entered. 4 handpumps selling Abbey Bellringer and Steeplejack plus 2 guests. It also sells Bass from the barrel which was the most popular drink with the locals when we were there. Dog friendly as well as there were two in the pub. Love it to bits.
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The slightly austere facade gives no hint of the unspoilt Victorian gem within. The pub is divided into four separate rooms. The first of these, to the left of the lobby, is a 20th century addition. To the right, the first of three older rooms, a small snug with a long single bench. Opposite the snug, through a door marked 'Glass Room' is a public room with fixed seating and a drop-down shove ha'penny board. Through another door is the bar, which also serves the snug.
Four handpumps, serving Abbey Bellringer and Chorister, Doom Bar and Adnams. Bass is served directly from the cask via a jug. They also have a cider called Hells Bells, again sold from the cask.
I tried the Bellringer, which was fine, and the Chorister which had gone bad. On a return visit I had a pint of Moorhouse Black Cat and a pint of the Bass which was good.
Now owned by Bath's own brewery, this is quite simply a magnificent pub.
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This is almost everything a good pub should be. I don't know how I had missed it on previous visits to the city. Last week on my visit to Bath, I was in the Old Green Tree (another truly great pub), and one of the locals suggested i try The Star. I did and was very pleased to have been directed there.
The landlord was really welcoming and informative. There was an interesting mix of people, and it was easy to strike up conversations. And not least, the beer was wonderful: it has been a long time since I saw Bass dispensed from a gravity barrel into a jug, and then decanted into pint glasses. The Bass was in absolutely excellent condition; the range of other ales also seemed interesting. On my next visit to Bath, I shall certainly explore the options. And the building is a gem; the exterior is somewhat uninspiring, and might even be seen as uninviting, but on entry you are in a world of three small perfectly preserved wood-panel rooms - almost evocative of a proper rural Irish pub.
I also noted that this was an Abbey Ales pub - a local brewery with just three or four pubs. Earlier in the day, I had been in another Abbey Ales pub - the Coeur de Lion - which used to be a favourite halt for me in Bath; it seemed to have gone absolutely downhill (I have made a separate posting on that issue). The management of Abbey Ales clearly needs to apply some degree of consistent quality control across its outlets.
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Beautiful old pub a short trot out of town, lots of nooks and crannies, very quiet though. The beer was good and the crusty roll was a battle. Go for the history of it and to have a nose around there are not many pubs like this remaining.
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Called in here on a recent crawl of Bath and kicked myself that I even bothered with the other pubs. The Bass was like wine, it was almost a religious experience just being there. I could have stayed all day but the barman was keen to lock up after the lunchtime session. To his credit though he did alow us one more pint and was patient whilst we supped it and savoured every drop. Surely the mecca of pubs.
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Best pub i visited in the Bradford on Avon area all week, in fact one of the best I've ever been to full stop. Fantastic preserved interior. Draught Bass brewed in Burton - poured straight from the barrel - tasted wonderful. I wish i lived nearer Bath. 9/10
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Wow!
This place is like a reverse tardis, massive on the outside, tiny on the inside! - but what it lacks in size it makes up with atmosphere. freindly bar staff too. had a lovely pint of abbey ale. Keep up the good work.
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As a visitor to Bath was delighted to be taken there by a local. Great pub. Was impressed to see the Bass served from the barrel. I loved the small wood panelled rooms with a well used and natural look. Nothing false or pretentious about it. Cosy, friendly and highly recommended.
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At the risk of just repeating everyone else, this has to be the best pub in Bath and one of the finest in Britain. Magninficent original multi-room interior, excellent ales - although didn't have the Bass (this time, anyway). It surely benefits from its relatively isolated positon which keeps the circuit hoards away and probably deters the bulk of the trippers, although there's nothing wrong in promoting what a real old English pub looked like in times gone past.
An absolute gem.
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Agree with the reviewers on the Bass. Friendly barman, choice of beer related reading matter and very easy to stay for just one more. The pub is a relatively far away from the bright lights but worth the trek. Anytime is a good time to visit this place.
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What can I say? Its just a national treasure, long may it continue to be so.
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Easily my favourite Bath pub and it would definitely be in my national top 10. How good Bass can taste when kept well and served on gravity. The Abbey Ales seasonal Steeplejack was top rate. This pub is not just about the beer though. It's a lovely building and the ambience is tremendous.
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Great pub. Good beer selection, authentic and atmospheric interior. Can get crowded (smallish rooms) but friendly atmosphere. Recommended.
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Extremely interesting building both internally and externally. The other halfs favourite in Bath. friendly locals and excellent beer. Don't miss this one if you are in the city it is well worth the walk up the hill
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now this is a star in bath...weird how the barrells are moved behind the bar...nice to watch em being moved..real ales are kept beautifully and staff are friendly and endorse conversation..well worth the long haul up the hill..always make sure this pub is first to visit on a pub crawl at the start of the evening..its all downhill from there!!unspoilt pub.
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It�s well worth the trek up the hill to visit this interesting multi-roomed pub which will take you back in time to when pubs were for drinking. There are 4-5 different rooms with loads of wood panelling and a real fire in at least one of the rooms. The whole place is well decorated with old photos and there�s an amusing portrait of the Queen holding a pint of Bellringer. It was almost deserted when we called in on a weekday afternoon but I�m sure it has it band of loyal followers. It�s certainly a must visit place if in search of interesting pubs in Bath.
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Old world pub and nice to see an authentic article rather than a brewers tat copy!. excellent beer and a very welcoming open fire. Lovely!
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Star pub! Star beers and star surroundings. If you visit Bath, make sure you visit the Star.
If the Abbey Ales Black Friar had been on, it was an easy 10.....9 without.
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Not too far out of town for us as we stayed in George Street, a pub from a bygone age split into seperate bars, beers as good as anywhere, friendly staff and thefeeling you are in a 'local' not a tourist trap.
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A gem of a pub. Friendly landlord, great beer, Bass from the barrel and regular Cornish beer festivals. A welcome change from the bland, modern, plastic pubs that keep opening in Bath.
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Absolutely splendid pub. I even like the fact that serve Bass stright from the barrel in the Bristol 'flat' style. Bristol flat Bass. Still, most people go there for the excellent Abbey Ales (plus guest); wonderful ambience and general air of conviviality. The clientele are remarkably varied - and the pub is all the better for it. An appreciably better pub than the once mighty Old Green Tree.
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If the tourists took the effort to climb the hill they would be enthralled. Dating from 1760, little has seemingly changed, as it is a listed building. Lots of wood of course but there are nooks and crannies which contain seating and fireplaces which work as intended. Some pubs look old when they are not but this one is beyond doubt. Leased by local Abbey Ales it dispenses beer from both pump and direct from the cask. One for the connoisseur. No pool, no music, no games, no food. Just a bloody good pub.
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oh, the star. how i miss you. one of my favourite pubs anywhere, ever. i worked here for two months one summer, and now habitually come back from london to visit the place, the patrons and paul, the landlord. be sure to check out the excellent cornish beer fest over the summer, or pop in any night of the week for a quiet pint, a chat to the locals, and to soak in the beautiful atmosphere. fun for young and old alike, and thankfully free of the knobs and yobs headed to more 'hip' establishments. i love this place.
anonymous - 10 Apr 2007 14:28 |
fantastic pub well worth a visit if youre in the area
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Good pub ,good hosts,good beer,worth the visit to Bath on its own,although alas it was only right to visit another ten or so pubs,whilst in the City.
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What a true contemporary Bath pub should be about - a modern yet sensitive take on smart Victoriana without being at all faux, or gimmicky. It is a conversation-led pub; no loud music or ill-advised games to distract from good company - which hopefully you'll have brought with you. In short, less is most definitely more. It doesn't surprise me in the slightest that it has received rave reviews.
The flagship for the deservedly successful Abbey Ales, who lest we forget have yet to reach their 10th birthday in business, the Star attracts a mixed but savvy set of locals and visitors who without being snooty about it, clearly appreciate great beer, a characterful, atmospheric interior, and a friendly welcome.
Let's be clear: it is not "trendy" by any means; the Star has a pervasive sense of timelessness about it. Yet it is not somewhere full of old chaps with beards discussing their last beer festival (nowt wrong with that, but I understand that sometimes this puts some folk off?!!). You could quite happily bring your wife or girlfriend here and she'd most likely love it as much as you!
I hope Abbey keep pulling the pints here for many years to come; if so they will certainly keep pulling in the customers.
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Excellent stuff - this is a classic Victorian pub with lots of small rooms and wild west style swing doors on the toilets. Can't fault the beer either.
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Probably the finest pub in the whole of Bath, lacking only proper cider. The beer - Bellringer and Bass, amongst guests - has never disappointed, and the welcome is genuine and very friendly. Very keen on rapper sword dancing too, and didn't even mind when we pitched up to dance (without notice) with a film crew from BBC West.
Very, very good place indeed.
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I suppose the Star should never be taken for granted, but I save my visits for a special treat a couple of times a year. A good reason to visit Bath in its own right. It has survived development threats in the past, and thrives under its current ownership, in its traditional form.
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This is the sort of pub where I could easily settle in for a long session. A cosy interior, friendly staff and regulars and the Abbey Bellringer was a cracking pint.
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This is a must visit pub the Bellringer from Baths own brewery Abbey Ales and the Bass are excellent.
anonymous - 20 May 2006 09:50 |
Great pub. I organised a Stag night for a friend last year and the Guvnor was brilliant. Wisely he kept us away from the locals and laid on a very reasonably priced beer & pastie evening! A Yard of Ale for the Groom - everybody enjoyed the evening immensely. Oh, and the beer is great too!
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Bath is great for pub crawls and this place always features in ours. As already noted the interior is a national treasure and the welcome and the standard of the ale befits such a jewel of a pub. Worth checking in on sunday lunchtime but get there at opening time for any chance of a seat. If you havent been to the Star you havent really seen Bath's finest.
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Fabulous interior. Damn good selection of ales. I loved watching the intense competition at Shove Ha'penny. How the hell I never made it here in 10 previous trips to Bath over 20 years, I don't know. I had a car this time & after a stop at the Two Pigs in Corsham, I looked up as I was enetering Bath, and said "Hey! The Star Inn, and a parking place right in front." Next time I know I'll be making The Star Inn a must when in Bath
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This one deserves all the attention it gets. CAMRA's description is spot on, "rare and unspoiled pub interior of outstanding historic interest". Listed on the national inventory of pubs. Very friendly and accomodating manager. The Abbey Ales were superb! Bellringer has a great finish. A must see if in Bath.
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Best ale pub in Bath, good variety and top pre-packed, foil wrapped comestibles! Halcyon days when I lived almostc opposite!
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The Bass is consistently fantastic. You might not think it is the most exciting beer in the world but it tastes wonderful here straight for the jug.
anonymous - 20 Aug 2004 12:04 |
Great place to visit for real ale drinkers. Very traditional inside. Worth a visit just to look at the interior.
Mark - 4 Mar 2004 16:05 |
What a brilliant pub, it's got to be the top venue for Real Ale drinkers to visit while in Bath. Sympathetically refurbished a few years back to retain its character. Small rooms, BIG welcome.
And those Abbey Ales Beers ... well worth the trip down from South Wales just for the 'Bellringer' alone !
Always a friendly welcome from the locals and Managers Terry & Julie, and of course Alan 'Bad News' Morgan, Managing Director of Abbey Ales Brewery, the ONLY brewery in Bath !
I cannot praise this pub enough and I only wish I lived nearer !
Cheers ...
Dave,
Sec-RAT-ary,
Real Ale Tasting Society - R.A.T.S. �,
Llantrisant, Mid Glamorgan.
Dave Jones - 21 Oct 2003 09:54 |
One of only two pubs in Bath good enough for the good pub guide.Well done Abbey Ales!
Dave Derrick - 20 Oct 2003 12:57 |
Great pub features on front cover of Camra Heritage Inns book.Brewery tap of Baths only brewery Abbey Ales,brewers of Bellringer.
Arron Morgan - 26 Sep 2003 19:33 |
The oldest pub in Bath, first licenced in 1760, all local real ales, small rooms and big fires, very welcoming.
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