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Beer of the Week (w/e 15th June 2025) with Tris39
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
Ring O Bells, Bath
Bath
BA2 4JT
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Blue Scrumpy left this review about Ring O Bells
The Ring o' Bells is situated on a lively street near Bath Spa station. It is under the same ownership as the Curfew where I had been earlier. The ground floor bar has a stone floor with a couple of TVs. There are a few framed shirts (I asssume rugby) under a skylight which helps gives the rear of the room a little light. Old pictures of Bath can be seen on the walls.
5 cask ales were on - Otter Bitter & Amber, St Austell Outta Time, Bass & Timothy Taylor Landlord. Electric Bear Tondo was on keg. Ciders were Thatcher's Gold & Stan's Cheddar Valley. Food is served. Although nobody was eating during my mid-afternoon visit. There is a specials board to the side of the bar listing a chicken burger for £16 and a lamb rump steak for £21. Sunday roasts are also served from 12-4.
Playing cards were on a shelf underneath the skylight, along with loads of flyers for the area. A wifi code can be found opposite the bar and both children and dogs are allowed in. With the toilets being upstairs, it gave me chance to take a peak in another room on the first floor which seemed to be either for dining or functions. With the pub being on a bank, the pub garden could be accessed by some steps to the rear of the first floor room.
As always in Bath, rugby appears to be very popular in this pub. Tickets to watch the local game with Bristol in the pub were being sold for £20. Luckily it was a bit quieter for my visit and I have to say that my St Austell Outta Time was quite nice. My opinion of that brewery has gone up significantly with some of their more recent beers.
On 16th May 2025
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3111 recommendations about 3109 pubs]
Will Larter left this review about Ring O Bells
A recent addition to the Good Beer Guide, but even more recently - there was work going on as I passed the pub this morning, and a notice apologising because the kitchen was not in action - it seems to have changed hands with a concomitant makeover and change of emphasis. There are still five hand pumps, but only Bass and Otter available. My two Bass drinking friends were not impressed, but we had just come from the Star Inn where it's as good as it gets. My half of Otter Ale was about NBSS 3, so pretty good really. Our visit coincided with an evening rush, and the staff were no doubt under a bit of pressure. Enough of allowances: not on my list for a revisit, but it's only five minutes from the station, so never say never.
On 5th November 2024
- rating: 5
[User has posted 4348 recommendations about 3996 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Ring O Bells
Long, low ceilinged and fairly modernised interior with some traditional touches via the flagstone floor, chunky wood tables and pew seating. Some modern repro breweriana on display. Four cask on the go; TTL, Otter, one I forgot to note, and of course I went straight for the Bass and was rewarded with an excellent pint (NBSS 4). Surprisingly busy for a Tuesday evening with a bustling atmosphere. Close to the station and a good discovery, I’ll be back for the Bass and train station convenience. GBG'23 listed and rightfully so. 7.5
On 26th April 2023
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5589 recommendations about 5570 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about Ring O Bells
Much as described by Blackthorn, below, this modernised high street pub is still very much a food-led establishment, though it may have mellowed since the previous review. The signage is very contemporary, but at the end of the day its’s still just a pub. It feels a bit odd entering the rear garden by going upstairs, but otherwise it’s a comfortable arrangement. It was busy with diners, mainly tourists, plus a coven of ladies wot lunch hogging the bar and knocking back cheap wine. I quite liked the ambiance and the décor, which was helped by a few framed signed rugby shirts, and the pub was very dog-friendly. The staff let it down a bit – the barman was rude and surly, but efficient nonetheless. Ales on were Pride, Gem and Exeter Avocet. I went for the Avocet and found it in good condition, though a bit over-chilled. Worth making the effort to find, and I’d like to come back and eat here some time.
On 6th December 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3547 recommendations about 3511 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about Ring O Bells
I daresay at one time this may have been a traditional high street boozer, but these days it’s much more of a bistro/restaurant than your typical pub. All tables except a very small circular one squashed in the back were laid up for food on a recent Saturday evening visit, and all were fully occupied. There were however a few high chairs up at the bar, and these too were fully utilised by punters who were just after a drink.
It’s got a contemporary appearance, with a great flagstone floor, some exposed stone walling and plasterwork elsewhere with cream paintwork with some pale green detailing. A number of pieces of artwork adorned the walls, much of it for sale if you’ve got a spare £300 knocking around. There is also a function room upstairs which appeared to be booked out to a private party. A notice advertised Sunday jazz nights, which I guess may also be in the function room. Staff all seemed friendly and helpful.
As befits it’s restaurant aspirations, the menu was very much of the gastro-pub variety with most of the mains around the £15 mark or more. My Lamb Shank in a rich sauce and herby mash was a very pleasant dish, but by the time I’d added a side order of veg it had breached the £20 barrier, so I’d expect it to be good. A Shropshire Blue Cheese & Raisin tart was an unusual starter, and also very pleasant so I’d certainly recommend it food wise, but it’s no good if you’re expecting “pub grub”, and in any case you’d be unlikely to get a table if you hadn’t booked. A number of punters were turned away whilst we were there. Having said that, there was a tapas menu chalked up on a board next to the bar, so that may be another option if you’re not after a full blown meal.
The solitary beer on tap was Moles Best, and the only cider Black Rat. This is a tricky one to mark. What it does, it does well, and I’d happily return. But it’s not really a pub in the strictest sense of the word, and this is, after all, a pub review website. Nonetheless, I enjoyed it so will mark it accordingly. Just bear in mind my comments if you’re after more of a proper “pub”.
On 19th March 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2070 recommendations about 1970 pubs]