Pineapple Inn, Bristol

Recently re-opened after a year or two of being closed and boarded up, this former gay pub is now run by the same owners as The Gryphon and promises a similar atmosphere and range of drinks, but without the heavy metal that that venue is known for. Historically this has perhaps been a difficult site, with the nearby Lime Kiln also suffering several periods of closure. Hopefully things are now on the up. Internally it has been renovated and opened out as far as I recall, with what was at one time a corridor leading from the front entrance door with separate rooms off to each side now being one large open plan room, with a separate area up a couple of steps to the left. Décor wise it’s fairly neutral with white paintwork on the walls and a mixture of red carpet and slate style tiling on the floor. The room to the left has an exposed stone wall running all down one side, and this had been adorned with some fairly lights. There was a small fireplace at the rea, but this appeared to be decorative rather than functional with just a few candles in the hearth. Tables were a mixture of white or black rather than the more traditional wood, although there was wood panelling on both the bar counter and the lower part of the walls. The pub dog was a little too friendly, continually jumping up for attention. Although the barman repeatedly called him off, he’d be back again just a couple of minutes later. Despite four hand pumps on the bar, only one was in use dispensing Arbor’s Blue Sky Drinking. Our visit was on a Monday however, perhaps they have a better range at busier times. Ciders though were well represented with some unusual choices – Urban Orchard, North Street cider and Ashridge Devon Gold. All in all, whilst this is certainly a great improvement on how it was previously, there wasn’t anything that particularly enticed me to rush back either.