Broken Dock, Bristol

Although there has been a venue on this site for a year or two now, in it’s previous incarnation it was more of a café/bar type establishment and did not offer anything in the way of draught drinks. Following a flood and subsequent redevelopment, it’s now reinvented itself and whilst food is obviously still a major consideration (the chef has previously worked at The Rummer and The Star & Dove) there are now a few drinks on tap and you’re certainly welcome to stop for a pint, as most people were on a recent sunny bank holiday afternoon. Certainly the major draw here is the outside seating with views across the harbour to the SS Great Britain, although the view is not perhaps quite as good as other venues in the vicinity. Inside it’s a little drab in comparison, being one long and narrow room with dark wooden boards on the floor and plain walls painted in battleship grey. There is no artwork or anything else on the walls which might have softened it a little, just a plasma screen stuck up in the corner, although this was not in use on our visit. There are however full height glass windows along the entire front wall which at least make it light and airy. A long wooden bench seat ran all along the back wall whilst a smallish bar counter was at one end. There were no real ales on tap, just a keg option from local micro Wiper & True. A board said this was Small Batch Beer but whether that was it’s actual name or just a description, I’m not sure. The solitary cider was Symonds Founders Reserve. Overall I thought this was a great spot for a sunny day, and I will no doubt return to check out the food which has received good reviews in the local press, but purely as a pub it doesn’t perhaps have quite so much to offer.