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Disappointment of the week with Gann
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Detail Pages
Nova Scotia, Hotwells, Bristol
Bristol
BS1 6XJ
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Nova Scotia
Another overdue revisit, which thankfully found no changes to the place whatsoever – it’s still a wonderfully characterful pub in a tidy location. Cask ales were Hobgoblin Gold, Courage Best and Fuller’s Pride (NBSS 4.5 - old style bready taste, properly matured and the best example of this beer I have had in years). Friendly traditional landlady behind the bar. It’s interesting to contrast my comment of 8 years ago – “I really think they could do more on the beer front” – with my attitude now; that so long as the beer is good quality to start with, and then kept well, it doesn’t really matter. Less can often be more when it comes to cask quality as this visit proved. 8.5
October 2013
Not a huge amount of change in the intervening time. Last month’s visit found five pumps, with three ales and two ciders on the go. My Dursley Steam Bitter was three quid and in decent shape, though the Wickwar less so (mind you, I usually find that with their beers…). Food was offered, with proper dinner starting from 7 quid, with doorstep sarnies for £3.50 if you just want a filling snack. An atmospheric place with some waterside seating but I really think they could do more on the beer front – it’s all set-up for it. Rated 7
June 2009
I'd spent many years driving past and thinking "that looks nice, I'll have to go there" and was so pleased that I eventually have. A proper old dockside pub, this place has remained relatively unspoilt and retains bags of character in every season - its wonderfully attractive exterior and location allowing for nice views in the summer months. A cosy session can be had in the winter - the interior is divided into two rooms serviced by a single bar that straddles the pair, with the Captains Table snug in the right-hand room. It has a very lived-in feel, perhaps slightly too lived-in at the moment and it needs a bit of TLC. As expected, nautical memorabilia abounds on the walls, with large maps to peruse. Drinks-wise, it’s perhaps a little under-par with Courage Best and Bass plus two (sporadic) guests and usually a couple of ciders. Quality is usually decent although not consistent enough to get into the GBG. Service is often perfunctory. Pub is currently dog-friendly. The punters are a real cross-section of the local community. I really like this place and would recommend a visit. There’s some room for extra improvement though - this could be the best pub in Bristol if it was allowed to take flight. Rated 7
On 10th December 2021
- rating: 9
[User has posted 5072 recommendations about 5055 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about Nova Scotia
A riverside traditional pub, basically layed out inside but very popular on a late Friday afternoon.Four cask beers were on Courage Best, London Pride ,Deuchars IPA and Fine Tuned Free Style. Pleasant.
On 9th October 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1871 recommendations about 1844 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about Nova Scotia
A traditional old pub located in a great spot alongside the river and opposite a row of attractive cottages, the outside seating area is a prime spot in the warmer months and it’s rare than I venture inside, other than to buy a drink of course.
At this time of year inside seems a better option though, and this consists of one long room running along the front of the pub, along with a small snug to the right which is labelled both as The Captain’s Cabin and a private bar. Décor wise it’s quite traditional with a wood strip floor, dark wood panelling on the lower part of the walls and green paintwork on the doors and other timberwork. There were a few chunky black beams on the ceiling and various nautical charts and small black and white photographs of the river on the walls.
Beers on tap were Deuchars IPA, Bombardier, Courage Best and GWB Hambrook Ale. Ciders meanwhile were Gold and Haze from Thatcher’s. Overall, a pretty decent traditional pub and well worth checking out.
On 25th February 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1947 recommendations about 1860 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about Nova Scotia
The Nova Scotia is a nice looking pub that is just over the swing bridge,that is watched being used while in the pub.
Once inside the bar faces in a long oblong shaped room which runs the width of the pub,the floor is bare boarded,there is bench seating with chairs and small stools,there is also a small separate room to the left.
There were five real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Moles Jailers Daughter,which went down well,the other real ales were Deuchars IPA,Courage Bitter,Bombardier Gold and an house beer Nova Scotia Bitter.
The pub was empty and too quiet when i first got in just after 12,but started to fill up as i was leaving.
I thought this was a pleasant pub to have a drink in.
Pub visited 15/7/2017
On 22nd October 2017
- rating: 7
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about Nova Scotia
Probably the most traditional of the pubs situated near the swing bridge on the harbourside. It’s a multi roomed set up with a nautical theme going on. The small wooden snug room is a very pleasant place to sit and have a pint. The place is given a bit of character by the multitude of historic B&W photos of the pub and surrounding area and the maps that adorn the walls.
There are six hand pumps on the bar and five were in operation when I visited . These included the house ales of Bass and Courage Best which aren’t that inspiring, but fortunately there was also a couple of guests, Highland Brewery Ales if I remember correctly and the one I tried was a well kept pint.
All in all a decent pub if you prefer something more traditional than the nearby Pump House and Cottage Inn.
On 8th September 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2110 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
train man left this review about Nova Scotia
Bass, Robinsons Wags to Witches, Otter Bright, Thatchers Traditional. Not many notes – narrow bar room, opening up slightly left of bar, local feel. My iffy beer was changed, no problem, but the replacement wasn't tremendous. Wasn't originally on-map, & I doubt it would be next time.
On 22nd November 2009
- rating: 4
[User has posted 412 recommendations about 411 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Darren Bestley left this review about Nova Scotia
'Olde worlde' ambience and decent food
On 31st December 2008
- rating: 8
[User has posted 10 recommendations about 10 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Brian McCulloch left this review about Nova Scotia
Substantial harbourside pub - a distinctive feature of the dockside environment. The Nova scotia has a two hundred year connection with the harbour which you can feel from the building. Still has the appearance of a coaching inn, identified by the large archway leading to a courtyard.
One can only imagine the popularity of an inn marking the first watering hole when making landfall on the harbourside!
Facilities include a tabled drinking area outside by the lock-side.
On 17th August 2006
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 33 recommendations about 33 pubs]