The White Hart, Bristol

Well described by others, below, this town alehouse dates from the mid-17th Century. The main bar is formed from 3 rooms knocked into one, the original walls demarcated by timber beams shored up with iron columns and a change in flooring from wood to tile. The snot-green paint has been covered with matt black, which has improved the interior but not the beer quality. The welcome was a bit lacking too – apathy bordering on rudeness from the barman was complemented by aggressive posturing from one or two of the clients – maybe the pub’s proximity to Bristol Magistrates’ Court is a factor here. The outside terrace was predictably ridden with fag-ends, the tables and chairs damp and unappealing. The jukebox (or whatever it was making the noise) was stuck on the same piece of dreadful music for the entirety of our 1-hour visit. Ales on were GK IPA and Abbott as standards, supplemented by London Glory as a guest. The beer was in very poor condition, certainly the London Glory had more than a hint of vinegar in it. A pub in steady decline which I am unlikely to re-visit soon.

An historic old pub previously semi-hidden by lots of postwar development, much of which has recently been swept away. I think I went here once, when I was a teenager, and the place was a basic and traditional pub – located by the old bus station. It has now found its way into the hands of Greene King who have glooped the inside in snot green paint, which sadly detracts from the rambling interior. To the left up a couple of sets of steps is a decent little area wallpapered in old Georgian picture prints. Sadly, on a cold dank and drizzly evening, the heating wasn’t switched on – a sure sign of imminent trouble for the proprietor. Four ales at the bar, all GK. Decided to go with IPA which was OK. This one could, and should, be much better.

The White Hart is a decent looking pub that must be close to a bus station that i did not see,but there were lots of National Express buses going past the pub. Once inside the bar faces in a narrow oblong shaped room which runs the width of the pub,the floor is part tiled and bare boarded,the seating is normal tables and chairs plus bench seating to the right and tall tables and chairs to the left,there is a separate room up a few steps to the rear left. The pub is a Greene King tied house,there were four real ales on the bar,i had a drink of GK IPA which was decent enough,the other beers were Old Speckled Hen,White hart Bitter and GK Abbot. I thought this was a pleasant and comfortable pub to have a drink in. Pub visited 25/6/2016