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Reviewing milestone with Bucking Fastard
on the Pub Forum
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5 of 10) see review guidelines
E TA left this review about Bambalan
Still much as described by Blackthorn, below, this modern cafe-style pub meanders around the building and includes a variety of indoor and outdoor seating areas. It has a futuristic, almost post-apocalyptic, feel to it, emphasised by the choice of music and the appearance of some of the staff. There were very few customers in when we visited, so it was hard to determine who their target audience was, other than parties and hen/stag groups. This was certainly not the CAMRA community, though, as there was no cask ale or real cider available. The choices were Alpacalypse, Madri, Camden Hells, Pravha, and Cold River cider, plus a fairly standard cocktails menu and a dull wine list. It wasn’t unpleasant, but I doubt I’ll be rushing back.
On 17th November 2025
- rating: 4
[User has posted 3696 recommendations about 3657 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about Bambalan
A recent opening at the foot of the Colston Tower, this follows the current trend for cafe/bar type establishments rather than the more traditional pub. Accessed via a rather dark and dingy stairwell, it’s main draw is the large outside roof terrace which is something of a rarity in central Bristol and it offers good views along the centre to the docks. Unusually even this was non-smoking, and the staff soon told one punter who lit up to stub it out. A smaller terrace along the side of the pub also houses a table tennis table.
Internally it’s a good sized pub running around the perimeter of the building with the bar counter, loos, etc, in a block in the middle. Decor wise it follows the current vogue for the industrial look with bare concrete walls, exposed cable trays, industrial style lighting, bare copper pipes serving as taps in the loos and so on, although there was some glazed tiling in places as well as further tiling on the floor. Seating was a mixture of booths and basic metal chairs, whilst the L-shaped bar counter housed a selection of cakes and pastries as well as a few pots of herbs. An open kitchen was down at the far end, and although we didn’t inspect the menu, I understand it is of the Mediterranean/tapas genre.
Unfortunately there were no real ales on tap, just keg Wild Beer Bibble. This wasn’t really to my taste to be honest, and for some reason is only served in ⅔ pint measures rather than a full pint. There were no draught ciders either, although whether anything was available in bottles, I’m not sure. This is certainly a great spot to sit out in the sun, but other than that I can see little reason to return.
On 20th June 2016
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2107 recommendations about 2006 pubs]