Colosseum, Bristol

An intriguing little place that looks more like some sort of café than a pub. Built in the 1960’s after the wholesale demolition of the surrounding area, the exterior divides opinion but I think it has a rather quirky quality and perhaps could be an intriguing prospect. However the interior is a pretty battered and dated. A token real ale (Doom Bar, I think) which I passed on in favour of a coffee. There’s a lounge area to the rear and a tacked-on plastic conservatory to the side. I took coffee on the front beer garden overlooking the road and giving a sideways view of St Mary Redcliffe church which was a bit more pleasant than being inside. Not one I’d be heading back to now I’ve satisfied my curiosity.

Built in the 1960’s, this is the only pub on Redcliffe Hill after the redevelopment of the area in the 1960’s when everything was demolished to build offices and multi-storey flats. This was originally called the Merchant Venturer, but the name was changed some 20 years ago. The nearby Sun Alliance offices closed a few years ago and that building is now a Hotel, so this pub could get some trade from the hotel customers that fancy a pint outside?