Four Wise Monkeys, Bristol

The layout is still as described in Blackthorn’s latest review, below, and the prevailing aroma he mentions persists. We found it unwelcoming and uncomfortable, like Wong Kei’s in Soho, but without the character. No real ale, and the only keg offering was Asahi, which was served somewhat reluctantly as we had bypassed the greeting lectern and walked up to the bar. No atmosphere, no welcome, no pleasure in being here, not even as a lunch venue. I have no desire to come back here in its current incarnation.

Whilst the previous incarnation of this venue was a well regarded tapas bar that managed to last a few years, it has now changed hands yet again and is now a sister venue to the Seven Lucky Gods restaurant in Wapping Wharf. This too is really much more of a restaurant than a pub, with a “Please wait here to be seated” lectern just inside the door and table service with a drinks menu provided, although there is a bar counter. Whilst it is possible to just pop in for a drink, this seems to be discouraged and may well not be possible if they were busy with diners. Internally, much of the space is taken up with the open kitchen and bar counter on the left, with the remainder being booth style bench seating alongside and regular tables and chairs at the rear. A raised seating area was at the front of the pub, and a few bar stools at the counter. The flooring was some type of wood strip which has been worn smooth and got very scratched over the years, whilst the paintwork is various vibrant hues including turquoise, purple and a deep salmon, along with a small section of exposed stone walling at the front. Even the lighting was similarly vibrant, with fluorescent tubes in a multitude of colours, each with coordinated cabling (I can imagine the electrician who got that gig thinking “where on earth am I supposed to get pink cable from?”). The smell from the cooking rather dominated, which is fine I guess if you’re eating, but less so when you’re just having a drink. Unfortunately there were no real ales on tap, or any beer at all come to that, with the only draught offerings being a couple of Asian lagers. I went for a can of the Tailgate Peanut Butter Milk Stout, which was an interesting drink, although I can’t say that I really noticed any discernible peanut butter flavour and I definitely prefer the Salted Caramel stouts available from one or two of the Bristol micro’s. At the equivalent of £11.20 per pint it seemed a little on the pricey side I thought. My friend’s can of Hawke’s Urban Orchard cider was also ambitiously priced at £8.60 per pint. Overall, the group behind this has a solid reputation and I may well return to check out the food, but it’s not really a pub and is best avoided if that’s what you’re after.