Channings Hotel, Clifton, Bristol

Official site of Channings Hotel - channingshotel-clifton.co.uk

Official site of Channings Hotel - channingshotel-clifton.co.uk

A large hotel conveniently situated midway between Whiteladies Road and Clifton village, this is a popular spot with students and on previous visits has always been quite busy, although on a recent Saturday evening was surprisingly quiet, especially as it was just at the start of the academic year. Although attached to a hotel, the pub has a quite separate identity, and does not feel like a typical hotel bar. There is a good sized garden at the front with plenty of tables, and this must be a prime spot in the warmer weather, especially in this part of town where outside seating is at a premium. Inside it’s a single, L-shape room which is looking a little dated. Bizarrely a low false ceiling, or maybe even a mezzanine floor has been built. Once you’re in there it’s not too bad, but looking in from outside with the full height windows clearly showing it, it all looks rather odd. The flooring is mostly carpet with some mosaic tiling in the centre, and the walls were oak panelling. There were some more oak beams on the ceiling, along with what looked to be painted wallpaper. A couple of plasmas were showing sports channels, and there was a good selection of board games piled on a shelf. Seating arrangements were several high stools at the front, tables and chairs up the side, and some brown leatherette sofa’s on the window, at least one of which had a large rip across the cushion. Beers on tap were Doom Bar and Butcombe. A third pump was not in use, although on the mirror behind the bar someone had written “more guest ales to come”. When that would be, or what they were, it didn’t say. The solitary cider was Strongbow, unfortunately.