The Anchor, Horfield, Bristol

A large pub with adjacent car park, this can best be described as a modern sports bar. It looks as though it’s had a recent makeover and on some levels seems to be a plush and cosy chain type establishment but on the other hand has a plethora of plasma screens showing various sports channels. It’s a good sized pub, and the front part facing the road is perhaps the most traditional. In front of you is a large L-shape bar with an open brick backdrop. Shiny wooden flooring leads you around the bar and to a raised area at the rear where there are a couple of pool tables. Elsewhere there is carpet underfoot and a number of low leather sofa’s around. To me this cosiness jars somewhat with all the plasmas – I could see eight just from where I was sat. At least the sound was muted and there was instead a suitable level of background music. Several quiz machines were dotted around and the grey paintwork was enhanced with multi-coloured LED uplighters. Food offering seemed to be a typical mass produced chain menu. It was divided in to various sections such as Mains, Sandwiches, Jackets, Salads, etc., and many dishes were available as part of a “2 for £8” deal. It would appear that live music is a regular feature here, which again seems somewhat at odds with the decor. Bar staff seemed friendly enough. Beers on tap were BBF No. 7 and Doom Bar, the latter of which I was assured was a very good example. Ciders were Strongbow, Symonds Founders Reserve and Moonshine, the latter dispensed from a polybin behind the bar.