The White Bear, Kingsdown, Bristol

Official site of The White Bear - www.whitebearbristol.co.uk

Official site of The White Bear - www.whitebearbristol.co.uk

Changed somewhat since Blackthorn’s review, below, this former coaching inn still has its courtyard, entered through the old coach gates, and informal separation of various drinking areas. It no longer serves cask ale, though, and it feels more like a Students’ Union dive than a traditional pub. There are various musical paraphernalia spread around, and the décor is exactly what you’d expect from the less academically inclined student body that frequents it. The bar staff were apathetic at best, and the vast majority of clients were, predictably, students. We were unusual in there given that our trousers actually fit and we weren’t wearing trainers. There were 3 large TV screens in the areas we saw, all showing live football, and all being ignored by the clients. Drink choices were Jubel, Lazer Juice, Gravity, two from Thatcher’s, Murphy’s, Amstel, Moretti and Foster’s. Its great to see the building still being used as a drinking establishment, but I’ll leave it a while before returning in the hope that it regains some of its former glory.