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New pub visits 2025 with ETA
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Detail Pages
Open Arms, Kingsdown, Bristol
Bristol
BS2 8DX
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
E TA left this review about Open Arms
The name isn’t the only thing that’s changed since the previous review. It is now a lively and pleasant little pub as Blackthorn imagined, below, popular with families, ale drinkers and students, yet there was no conflict between these very different demographies. The layout is the same, there was gold of the TV, well-behaved children were being well looked after by civilised parents and the students were engaging in normal conversation, both in the garden and in the bar. It’s sad that populist politics meant the name was lost, but the pub is now probably better for the changes. Ales on were Butcombe Original, Bristol Beer Factory’s Everytime and Inndependence, and Wye Valley HPA, all in very good condition. Rosie’s Pig Rhubarb Cloudy Cider was also on draught. On tap were Brixton Coldharbour, Staropramen, Pravha, Carling and three from Thatchers. It’s a superb pub, well worth the walk, I’d include in a crawl but be aware it doesn’t open lunchtimes during the week.
On 26th September 2025
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3649 recommendations about 3611 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about Colston Arms
Located at a handy point for a pit stop half way up the steep St Michael’s Hill, this is a bit of a cross between a traditional old pub and a sports bar. It consists of a couple of bars, as well as a small seating area at the front with some chunky wooden benches, and a larger patio at the rear.
Décor wise it’s quite traditional with the front bars having a dark wood floor, rough plasterwork on the walls and some contrasting maroon paintwork. There was also some exposed stone walling in places which is unusual in city centre pubs and a nice feature. The smaller rear bar was quite elegant with dark wood panelling on the lower half of the walls, green paintwork above and country portraits such as landscapes and horses on the walls. Unfortunately though, at least when I visited, a football match completely dominated with every area of the pub either having a large screen TV on the wall or a projector. I can imagine it would be quite a pleasant little pub on other occasions, but we just had a quick pint in the front garden and moved on.
There was a good choice of beers on tap with Doom Bar, Butcombe Original, Marston’s EPA, Robinson’s Trooper and Horn’s Diamond Geezer. Ciders meanwhile were Thatcher’s Gold and Aspall’s Suffolk.
On 25th May 2017
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2098 recommendations about 1997 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pete Yeates left this review about Colston Arms
Just been refurbished and re-named from "Micawbers Ale House" to the "Colston Arms".
(I note from the Bristol's Lost Pubs site that it's listed there as "Colston's Arms")
I've yet to visit this place and see what they've done.
On 29th April 2010
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 99 recommendations about 92 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Colston Arms
[Reviewed as Micawbers Ale House incarnation]
Known until a few years ago as the Colston Arms, this is a small and genial pub snuggled into the hillside. Three handpulls on the go (failed to note exactly what, but nothing too far out of the ordinary) and the place features a pool table. Was pretty dark inside, so be prepared for locals to pop out of the corners. Legend has it that this pub is where condemned men would sup their final pint before being hanged at the top of St Michael's Hill. Nowadays appears to be a shrine to Wales and Manchester United instead!
I thought it was decent stop and would put it on a crawl list for the area.
On 4th January 2007
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5754 recommendations about 5735 pubs]