The W.G. Grace (JD Wetherspoon), Clifton, Bristol

As JW has pointed out below, these premises have operated in various guises over the years. Hopefully now that Wetherspoon’s have taken it on it will have a little more stability. It’s quite a long pub extending back some way, and the rear area has a couple of atrium type windows in the roof which lightens up what might otherwise be a rather gloomy area. There is some very limited seating at the front of the pub, and the widows/doors also fold back opening up the whole front area in the nicer weather. Decor wise it’s a bit of a departure from the normal Wetherspoon’s look. There was no carpet, maroon paintwork or wood panelling anywhere and it had an all together more contemporary appearance than might be expected. Whether that’s part of a new corporate look, or just something that was felt suited this particular establishment I’m not sure, but I thought it made a pleasant change. Paintwork was a mixture of cream and light grey, and the flooring was mostly wood including an inset parquet wood floor at the back and some grey tiling elsewhere. A number of black and white photo’s were on the wall in the front half, with some colour artwork at the rear that depicted various Bristol landmarks such as the Suspension Bridge and rows of brightly coloured terraced houses. An plain brick wall at the back separated the pub from the kitchen, although there was a large serving counter through which you could see the chefs at work. A free-standing slate structure in the centre of the room looks as though it probably housed some type of gas fire, although I didn’t investigate this. Beers on tap were the usual Abbot Ale, Old Speckled Hen and Ruddles County, and these were joined on this occasion by Brain’s SA Gold, Bishop’s Finger, Kelham Island Pale Rider and one called simply Beer from Frome’s Milk Street Brewery. Ciders were Strongbow, Stowford Press and Thatcher’s Gold. All in all I quite liked this, and felt it made a pleasant change from the slightly bland, identikit feel you get in most of the company’s outlets.