The Hatchet Inn, Bristol

Located in a quiet side street close to College Green and the university campus is The Hatchet Inn, which proudly claims to be the oldest pub in Bristol ( established c1500 according to a painted inscription high up on the wall). It’s been licensed since 1606 apparently. An attractive looking mock Tudor exterior leads into a large pub with a number of different drinking areas. Dotted around the pub are various snippets of information on the pub. For instance we learn that the 300 year old main door is reputed to have layers of human skin under its tar coating. We also learn that an American businessman walked into the pub in 1956 and offered 1000 dollars for the door there and then. In days long gone cock fighting and bare knuckle boxing fights took place on the premises and Tom Cribb fought and trained here in the 19th century. We also learn that the pub was privately owned until 1934 when it was sold to “Trueman Handbury and Buxton” ( their spelling not mine ). Despite retaining some attractive features such as flagstoned floors, criss cross leaded windows and elegant cornicing, the pub has clearly set its stall out for the local student trade and, on my recent Thursday evening visit, deafeningly loud rock music was the order of the day and I was probably the oldest customer by some considerable margin. Resident DJ’s feature in the latter part of the week with a clear emphasis on rock and what is referred to as “alternative anthems”. On Fridays and Saturdays the pub stays open till 2 am. On the real ale front, the 2 pumps were serving Courage Best and Butcombe Bitter. This is the type of place where you anticipate the real ale being rather iffy, but, pleasingly, the Butcombe Bitter - £ 2.80p – was really quite good. On its menu, the pub describes itself as a “cosy and traditional ale house”, which, I’m afraid, is not how I would describe it and I’m not marking this one down for a revisit

Probably one of the oldest pubs in Bristol, dating apparently from 1606, although it doesn't really lokk the part from the inside. Tends to attract goths for some reason and plays what I imagine may be appropriate music. It sounded like Metallica or something similar at slightly too loud a volume for an easy conversation (maybe I'm just getting old!). Only a couple of beers on tap, although the Butcombe was very good. Also Bulmers & Blackthorn cider.