Small Bar, Bristol

This is most certainly a Small Bar that's not so small. The walls seem to be paneled with old planks, and in the main bar the lights seem to be suspended from an old pallet. All very uber trendy I guess, like the policy of not selling pints (only thirds, halves, and two-thirds). I've only ever encountered one other pub with this policy, and that one was pretending to be a sort of French bar. The beer was in good shape though, and the bar staff were helpful and friendly, which is a big plus. This is nothing like the sort of traditional pub that I prefer, but it's a good example of a trendy craft bar if you like that sort of place.

Bigger than it looks because it has been created from two very different looking buildings, so you may need to look at the rather curious explanation for the name on its website. Limited ale house-style furniture and decor in the bar area, with more space in the larger side room (with its idle brew plant) and upstairs. Extensive selection of craft keg offerings from rows of plain taps almost hidden behind the counter, plus a number of cask handpumps with spindly and unlabelled metal handles that are not immediately obvious to the first-time visitor. It took a while to work out what's what from the chalk boards, but my choice of Burning Sky Plateau (£2.40, schooner) thankfully turned out to be tasty for a light beer. Not one for the traditionalist, but quite interesting in its own way.