Bar + Block, Bristol

A recent opening at the bottom end of the popular King Street strip, this is not a pub in the usual sense, but a combined bar and steak restaurant. There is certainly no requirement to eat though, and of the half dozen or so other punters in on our recent mid-week visit, none appeared to be dining. It’s all one long, open plan room internally, with an open kitchen to the left and the bar counter to the right. In terms of décor it’s not unpleasant, but is obviously all very new and does feel somewhat generic or mass produced. Flooring is pale wood boards, whilst good sized windows on two sides make the most of the outlook, and there are high stools provided here to sit and admire the view. Elsewhere the paintwork is a very dark blue and there are also some sections of exposed brickwork. A snug area up a few steps at the rear had wooden planks nailed to the wall. Seating in the main bar area was mostly high tables and chairs, with some blue Chesterfield style bench seating in the upper area. Low level lighting was provided by exposed filament light bulbs which is of course de rigour in any pub renovation these days. Unfortunately there were no real ales on tap, or much in the way of any keg beers come to that, with lager being the predominant offering as far as I could tell from looking at the engraved metal pump clips which were very difficult to read given the available light. I did notice Brewdog Punk IPA though. On the plus side, they did at least have Thatcher’s Gold cider.

Official site of Bar + Block - www.barandblock.co.uk

Official site of Bar + Block - www.barandblock.co.uk