Black Rock, Bristol

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Blackthorn _ left this review about Black Rock

Not a pub in the usual sense, this is a primarily a whisky bar and apparently the company’s second outlet following on from the heels of the original in Shoreditch. That said, there is a small selection of keg taps at the back of the bar, and you are certainly free to have a pint if that’s more your thing.

The interior could well be described as gloomy with very dark grey paint entirely covering the walls, and black wooden boards on the floor. Only a colourful mural on one wall livens it up a little. Seating is long wooden communal benches and there is a small bar counter at the rear, but the main focus is the half a dozen or so cabinets down the left hand wall containing over 400 whiskies, with each cabinet being one particular style, such as smoky, fruity, balanced, etc. An unusual feature was an old oak tree that apparently was used to age one of the house cocktails, with the mixture being dispensed from the trunk. Staff were very knowledgeable and took plenty of time to gauge your tastes and guide you through the maze of whiskies that were available.

Although their website states that there are six draught beers available, only four of the taps had been installed when we visited, and the menu listed just two lagers and Founders All Day IPA. I enquired as to what ciders were available, but apparently there were “none yet”. Not being a whisky drinker, I opted for the Fruit Cocktail, consisting of Singleton, apricot brandy and orange cordial. This was actually not bad, but at £11 including the service charge seemed rather expensive. I guess if you’re a whisky fan then this is probably a fantastic establishment, but as a pub it falls rather short and not somewhere that I’ll be rushing back to.

On 4^th November 2019 - rating: 4
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