The Huntsman, Bath

An extensive pub on many different levels, conveniently located just around the corner from the abbey. It’s had an extensive refurbishment since I was in here last, and now has a much more contemporary feel and open and was packed to capacity on a recent Saturday afternoon visit, although the fact that it was St. Patrick’s Day and Ireland were playing England at the rugby no doubt contributed to that. Downstairs is the more contemporary bar with striped wooden flooring and that pale brown paintwork that is very much in vogue with pub makeovers these days. There were a couple of plasmas around showing the rugby. In the basement is a pleasant cellar bar that mostly seems to be used for hosting live music and a band were in the process of setting up their gear when I poked my head around the door. A mid level floor at the back is an all together plusher space with carpeted flooring and some exposed stone work on the rear wall. Finally at the top is another large room with it’s own bar counter and a somewhat darker, more formal appearance with flock wallpaper, ornate gilded mirrors, some elaborate hanging lights and some photographic artwork on the walls. The few seats in the window gave pleasant views of the hills beyond the city. There was also another plasma which seemed a little out of place here. Food menu was an extensive pub grub affair, with various sections such as burgers, pasta and nibbles. Most of the mains were around the £6 - £7 mark although we didn’t eat so I can’t comment on the quality. Beers on tap were Breakspear’s Oxford Gold, Abbey’s Bellringer and Whychwood’s Hobgoblin and Dirty Tackle. Ciders were a somewhat unadventurous Blackthorn and Strongbow.