Buttermilk & Maple, Bristol

A new build pub on the ground floor of an established hotel, there was presumably some sort of hotel bar here previously, but it has now been made much more prominent and given it’s own identity, presumably to cash in on any passers-by, and whilst there are numerous other pubs in the vicinity, there are only a few that face out on to the river as this one does. Décor wise it’s quite contemporary with a pale wood parquet floor and some mosaic tiling around the central, wood panelled bar counter. There were some whitewashed brick walls as a bit of a feature perhaps, but on the whole the walls were smooth plasterwork in white or khaki green. A number of portrait style photographs hung on the walls, and numerous signs along the back wall and around the bar counter were, presumably, names of Banksy art pieces. Low hanging lights were suspended above the tables, and full height glass windows at the front of the pub made the most of the outlook. Despite a sign outside advertising a range of craft beers and ciders and quite a selection of keg fonts on the bar, there was surprisingly no real ale available, or even much in the way of beer at all come to that. I think I spotted an IPA of some description, but that was about it. Ciders fared slightly better with Thatcher’s Gold and Symonds Founder’s Reserve. Overall, whilst this is a decent enough setting, the lack of much in the way of a drinks selection is unlikely to tempt to many people in.