The Red Lion, Clifton, Bristol

As it’s name suggests, this is very much more of a wine bar now as opposed to your traditional pub, and this is clearly reflected both in the ambience and the drinks selection (or lack of). At one time it was a bit of a cider house, so it would have been nice to see at least one choice of cider available in a nod to it’s past, but alas not. Then again, I can remember when there was a gentleman’s club further up the road (now an apartment block), so clearly the area is moving up market. The front bar is slightly larger and has whitewashed walls, an old flagstone floor, low ceilings and large windows at the front. There were various old advertising signs on the walls and all the tables had candles in old wine bottles, which created a pleasant ambience. The smaller rear bar seemed a little cosier with it’s black walls, old prints on the walls, a brick fireplace and some old leather sofa’s. There was glass viewing window in to the wine cellar, and this also had a couple of hams hanging from the ceiling. Food choice appeared to be limited to just a platter of charcuterie and cheeses. These were available to select from a deli style counter in the rear bar, and I believe came with a few hunks of bread and olives. Although I didn’t try it myself, it seemed a little pricy at £11.50 for a choice of three, or £20 for six. No ales on tap unfortunately, real or otherwise. In fact, nothing on draft at all. There was a barrel on the end of the bar, but this is apparently not in use yet and in any case is destined to hold wine, not beer. A large blackboard listed a good choice of wines, many available by the glass, but these too seemed a little on the steep side with a small 125ml glass costing £3 - £4. There was a very limited selection of bottles available, on this visit it was just Hop Back Summer Lightning and a Samuel Smith’s organic lager, although the friendly barman did say that they’d had a busy night the night before. A bottle of each cost me £8.50, so I don’t think I’ll be in any rush to return. On balance, it’s nicely done out, and it is of course nice to see it re-open, but unless you’re after a glass of wine and a plate of charcuterie, and don’t mind what you pay for it, I’d suggest that there are other far more appropriate places nearby.