The Bear, Bradford-On-Avon

Funny place, full of external ads for ‘shotz & karaoke’ but inside is quite upmarket and sedate. Must have had a going-over during lockdown, the feel is one of mid-market; brown third length box panelling, odd pockmarked Bath stone slabs, scuffed wood plank floor with some rugs and an ill-advised mushy pea colour servery with gold lamé backing (someone call Martin Fry – his wardrobe has been stolen!). Tidy garden out back. Two pumps with one ale and a Stans cider (though seven others were advertised on a pole adjacent, so presume they live in boxes out the back). Upper right has a display of (available?) bottles which looked like the Ocado website list to me. The single cask was a slightly aged and offbeat Castle Rock Black Gold (NBSS 2.5) served-up by a surprisingly mature (given the shotz-n-bantz advertising) barman. Piped music was the barman's choice, so early 80s which suited us fine, for we were the only souls on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Spotted an upright piano, which again seemed most queer. Odd one, probably best done on a Friday or Saturday night? Perhaps trying to be too many things to too many people, certainly the day-trippers were scared off when actually, they’d have probably enjoyed it. An enigma.

Facebook page of The Bear - www.facebook.com

Official site of The Bear - www.bearboa.co.uk

Official site of The Bear - www.bearboa.co.uk

Facebook page of The Bear - www.facebook.com