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Image posted by Quinno _
Submitted on Monday, 19th November 2012
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(Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about Kings Head
This historic pub has a superbly preserved mid Victorian interior, with lots of lovingly polished dark wood, the merchandise of the day listed above the bar back along its length in gold, and of course the quirky tramcar snug towards the rear. The bar is along the side wall on entering, a narrow area here with just room for a few stools but there is a front window bench with cushions too. The pub is carpeted throughout. A splendid mirror sits central in the bar back advertising Burton Ales and Dublin Stout. Along the corridor hang multiple old photographs of Bristol in bygone times, then its on into "The Tramcar", set out to replicate an old luxury tram carriage, and separated from the corridor by high backed benches. There is a small bar access point off here. The toilets warrant a mention as they consist of a single WC each, hence the "Ladies Only" sign on one door. Various jugs, pots and a yard of ale hang from the low beamed ceiling.
The beer selection is not as exciting as in the Cornubia and Seven Stars nearby, being at the time Butcombe Gold, Doom Bar, Skinners Betty Stogs and Hogs Back TEA, but this pub is certainly worthy of inclusion in a crawl with the other two, particularly for the interior. 5 mins from Temple Meads station.
On 22nd February 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 861 recommendations about 852 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Kings Head
A wonderful heritage pub (listed in the CAMRA National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors) dating from the mid 1600’s, a few minutes walk from Temple Meads with a lovely unspoilt interior; known as the tramcar due to the turn-of-the-century snug that dominates much of the pub, which is laid out like a first class tram car carriage, with long cushioned benches. The interior is all polished dark wood and glass, with old pictures of Bristol on the walls. The sections of the bar back in the front area have gilded panels advertising 'Claret', 'Hollands', 'Cigars', 'Mineral Waters', 'Cigars' and 'Port & Sherry'. In the Tramcar you get 'French Brandy', 'Irish & Scotch Whiskey', 'Jamaica Rum', 'London Gin' and 'Cordials'. Beer choice is decent if unspectacular Wadworths 6X, Sharps Doombar and Cornish Coaster, Butcombe Gold and a real cider in Thatchers. Quality is good but prices are steep though compared to nearby outlets (blame Enterprise Inns). The pub is kept to a high standard and is well worth a visit for the interior. It’s a shame that Enterprise are bleeding the place dry as the Kings simply cannot compete with the 7 Stars and Cornubia at present. Hopefully when Enterprise go belly-up, the lease for this place can be acquired by a sympathetic local brewery.
For now, it's worth a visit for a pint or two to admire the interior.
On 30th June 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1539 recommendations about 1534 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
John Bonser left this review about Kings Head
Conveniently situated on the main road into the City Centre from Temple Meads station, The Kings Head is a small attractive pub that features in CAMRA’s National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors. The pub is reputed to date back to around 1660 and really is a splendid survivor in an area of much office development over the years.
Bearing something of a resemblance to an antique shop externally, a narrow passageway with the bar counter on the right as you enter leads down to a wider enclosed screened drinking area – The Tramcar Snug – so called because of its resemblance to a tram carriage. The corridor walls are dark wood panelled and feature many interesting pictures of old Bristol, including a number of photographs of the pub in earlier days as an Ashton Gate Brewery house and later as a Georges Bristol Brewery house. The existence of a Courage mirror reminds us that Georges fell into the hands of Courage many moons ago. Low ceilings and the absence of any music, fruit machines etc contribute towards a splendid atmosphere where drinking and conversation rule.
The architectural highlight of the pub is the ornate bar back with brass plaques advertising Cigars, Brandy, Whiskey etc which runs all the way down into the Tramcar Snug. Apart from this snug, the narrowness of the bar area means that seating is restricted to bar stools along the length of the bar counter and several tables under the front window.
4 handpumps were offering Wadworths 6X, Butcombe Gold plus Sharps Doom Bar and Cornish Coaster, all of which appear to be regular offerings. Both the Wadworths and the Butcombe – each at £ 3.20p per pint – were in excellent condition. The pub is a CAMRA Good Beer Guide regular.
There are pubs not too far away that offer a much wider selection of real ales but, taking the experience as a whole, this is still my favourite Bristol pub by a considerable margin. If you only have time to visit one Bristol pub, make it this one.
On 22nd November 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 454 recommendations about 454 pubs]
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