The Alma, Clifton, Bristol

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Blackthorn _ left this review about The Alma Tavern

A decent pub tucked away just off Whiteladies Road, this is now under new ownership and has had a bit of a refurbishment, but still retains much of it’s original character. It’s divided in to two halves with an oval shaped bar counter separating the two, which theoretically means you can get served from anywhere if they’ve got enough staff on.

The front bar has dark wood panelling on the walls almost to the ceiling, and dark wooden boards on the floor. Most of the tables on the right were laid up for food complete with cutlery, napkins and wine glasses, even though not all of them were reserved. In spite of this, it’s not by any means a pub where food dominates and there were plenty of punters just having a drink. A large beer barrel served as a handy place to rest your pint if you couldn’t find a table. The bar at the rear is a little more open plan with a skylight window in the roof and a burgundy and cream colour scheme. A piano was off to one side, and an old fire-place at the rear. A jazz band were in the process of setting up their gear, although they had not started by the time we left.

The landlord wandered round ringing a bell at 8:00pm which was a little concerning, surely not last orders already? Fortunately it was to let the theatre goers know that the performance was about to start upstairs. It bills itself as Bristol’s only pub with a theatre. I always thought The Tobacco Factory was another, but maybe that’s just two venues that happen to share the same building. It’s a lot more intimate and compact than the Tobacco Factory though, which attracts some fairly big names.

Under it’s new ownership, there is a much more “gastro” feel to the menu, with an unusual and interesting selection of main dishes priced around the £12 - £13 mark. There was however also a bar menu that consisted of traditional pub staples such as Sausage & Mash, Ham Egg & Chips, Pie of the Day, etc., all at £9.50. Mrs. B. enjoyed her burger, although questioned the need for it to be served on a slab of slate rather than a proper plate. I had the Coq Au Vin from the main menu and this was a decent and tasty dish. Alternatively, there was a jar of pickled eggs and a selection of nuts behind the bar, as well as a few sausage rolls on the bar counter, if that’s more your thing.

Beers on tap were Gem, Tribute, Doom Bar and Robinson’s Green Bullet Pale Ale. Good choice of ciders with Thatcher’s Gold, Olde English, Addlestones and Gaymer’s Pear.

On 15^th October 2012 - rating: 7
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