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Coeur de Lion, Bath
Bath
BA1 5AR
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Coeur de Lion
A lovely little pub (Bath’s smallest) which has changed little – if at all – since my last visit 12 years previous and is still run by Abbey Brewery. No space in the cosy bijou bar area so we managed to nab a table outside. Four cask on, we tried the Bass (NBSS 3), Abbey Bell Ringer (4) and the Goffs Porter (2 – past its best). It’s a solid pub that’s always worth checking-out when in the city. The Abbey Ales shop is next door. GBG’22 listed. 7.5
June 2010
A very small and cosy pub down an alleyway. There’s a fabulous stained glass Devenish Brewery window at the front and a carpeted and comfy interior with red and dark varnished wood being the predominant shades. Four ales plus a cider (Hells Bells) available with Abbey predominating as I understand they have now acquired the licence. My Crouch Vale Gold was excellent. Some nice outside seating is available for summer months. Seemed to be quite big on the rugby. I had a fun time in here and would happily pop back, making sure to time my visit outside of peak hours. Rated 7
On 12th November 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about Coeur de Lion
Classic Bath alley pub that seems to operate as a de facto tap for the Abbey Ales Brewery. A sign outside proclaims it to be the smallest pub in Bath, which may well be the case if you ignore the first floor overspill area, as it otherwise comprises a compact carpeted ground floor room with the bar to the rear and limited seating around the perimeter. The bar has a dark wood counter and high matching bar back with some great etched glass mirrors bearing the pub’s name. These mirrors echo the front leaded windows, which have similar etched glass work denoting the Public bar and an old brewery name, all surrounded by a decorative floral design. A stone fireplace to one side has a stove in the hearth for colder days and a large Abbey Ales mirror above. Lincrusta walls are covered with blackboards listing beer and food options, drawing of local landmarks, bespoke brewery mirrors and a framed pub t-shirt. Also worth looking out for are the amazing Coeur de Lion etched glass panel at the end of the bar, and the staircase to the dining room and toilets, which is liberally flanked by countless photos and paintings. Limited bench seating is also available out in the alleyway.
The Abbey Ales gift shop is in the unit next to this pub and three of their ales dominated the bar - Bath Star Ale, Bellringer and Best Bitter - with Draught Bass as the only other option. I tried the Star Ale, which was in great shape and served by a friendly barmaid who made idle chat with locals and strangers alike.
I really liked this place and thought it was a great little pub and the ideal place for someone like Abbey Ales to showcase their beer. It’s a very small pub, so may not be great to visit at peak times, but we came late on a Sunday evening and had no trouble getting a seat. One of the picks from our weekend in Bath and somewhere I’d be very happy to return to.
On 12th October 2022
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about Coeur de Lion
A fantastic little traditional pub, a GBG regular, described by others, below and still owned by Abbey. Ales on were Bellringer, White Friar, Oh Mr Porter and Bass, all in excellent condition. The staff were helpful, and the precipitous stairs stopped the less desirable tourists coming up to the cosy, if somewhat dated, first floor bar. It’s also dog-friendly, free biscuits on offer from the bar. A great placed to hide away from the world and enjoy first class beer, and one to which I shall return.
On 17th August 2022
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3286 recommendations about 3251 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about Coeur de Lion
A small inviting looking pub set in an alley-like side street, a cosy single room bar with four Handpumps. on my visit there were three on all from Abbey Ales, Bath Pale Ale,Bath Maximus IPA and Bath Best, no guest ale on this occasion, I went for the IPA which was decent if not stunning.
I liked the pub a lot ,it's worth a 7.5/10 for me.
On 26th March 2020
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1872 recommendations about 1845 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about Coeur de Lion
I managed to get a seat at the bar on my visit, which was over near the wall as I didn't want to get in anyone's way, as the bar counter length is short and as the lounge area is small, this was a good option.
Four ales on handpump, three from Abbey Brewery and Nethergate IPA as their guest. I went for the Nethergate, which was in good shape.
Surprisingly for the size of the pub, they have a hot food menu and a daily specials chalked up on the blackboard near the bar. There is also an outside front seating area, which was busy on my visit. The young barman was friendly and chatty and informed me that the owner of the Abbey Brewery calls down a couple of times a week, to sample his beer.
On 19th October 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about Coeur de Lion
Owned by Abbey Ales and reputedly Bath’s smallest pub, it’s certainly a cosy establishment located in one of the myriad of lanes that make up this pleasant corner of the main shopping area.
It’s a single room pub as might be expected, although I believe there is also a second upstairs room. Décor wise it’s quite traditional with red patterned carpet on the floor, bench seating around the perimeter and small bar stools, each with red velvet cushions. Some Bath rugby memorabilia is dotted around including a signed shirt, and there was an exposed stone wall on one side. A wood burning stove was giving out a decent amount of heat, although this looked to be gas rather than genuine wood or coal. It’s smallest pub credentials featured prominently with etchings to this effect on mirrors and some glass partitioning. There are attractive stained glass window at the front of the pub including a Devonshire (brewery?) insignia, although unfortunately one of these had been broken and was boarded up. Hopefully they will be able to get it repaired and reinstated.
Beers on tap were Bellringer and Oh MR Porter from Abbey, along with London Pride and XT Brewing’s XT8. The solitary cider was Thatcher’s Gold. All in all a decent little pub.
On 24th November 2014
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1949 recommendations about 1862 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about Coeur de Lion
I was told that this is a contender for the title of Bath’s smallest pub. I guess it could qualify as it consists of a small room with just a handful of banquettes, settles and small stools and standard issue tables. It’s carpeted, and has old looking wood panelling on the walls, and some brickwork. The leaded light windows on to the narrow passageway in which it’s located is a very attractive feature and completes the traditional appearance. There’s a bit of outside seating at the front.
There were a couple of Abbey Ales beers on – Chorister (£3.60 a pint) and Bellringer, plus another ale that I failed to note. There was a pretty full menu available on Tuesday afternoon with such pub grub favourites as Pie & Mash (£8.95), Fish & chips (£8.95), and Chiili & Rice (£7.95) available. This is another decent pub that’s worth including on a cawl of Bath.
On 30th July 2014
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about The Coeur de Lion
Small cosy bar with lots of red velvet, good beer
On 30th June 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1456 recommendations about 1434 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Coeur de Lion
Finally managed to search this one out when down in Bath again just before Christmas.
But perhaps visiting it for a post match pint on a foul weather day when it is full of damp sodden rugby supporters, most of which were in a state of depression after being truly gubbed 22-0 by the visiting Saracens was not the smartest idea for a comfortable pint.
But I saw enough of it to know that it would be worth searching out again when I am back in Bath.
A couple of Abbey Ales on and the Bellringer was very good, especially the freebee bought for me by a Bath supporter when I guaranteed to him that we would give Gloucester a stuffing also when we next meet them..
On 19th January 2013
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2111 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Coeur de Lion
This really is a small pub with a very attractive stained glass frontage.There is a woodburner close to the bar and a few tables while the upstairs room indicated for dining ,but can be used by drinkers who want a seat.The outside tables make perfect sense in good weather.The downstairs loo is certainly cramped for anyone sizeable.
The fly in the ointment was poor ale quality with both Keystone VPA and Braydon YerTiz clear but in poor condition.The other option was Abbey White Friar with the final handpump having a reversed clip.Bad luck on our trip? Maybe but I would be wary of a return given the strong competition close by.
On 30th June 2011
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2728 recommendations about 2728 pubs]