The Sportsman, Bishopston, Bristol

Blackthorn _ left this review about The Sportsman

A basic no frills boozer located in a residential side street just off the popular Gloucester Road strip, it has something of a sports bar vibe to it as the name suggests, both in the entertainment options on offer with multiple pool tables, as well as several screens showing TV sports fixtures.

Internally it’s a good size pub with several interconnecting rooms arranged around a central bar counter which is accessible from either side. Décor wise it’s quite basic with rather uninspiring plasterwork on the walls painted in neutral shades such as taupe and a pale salmon, flagstone style tiling at the rear and carpet at the front. Some rooms had dark maroon paintwork on the lower part of the walls whilst a fireplace recessed in to an archway could perhaps have been an attractive feature were in not for the portable electric heater in the hearth and a TV screen up above showing the football. Various flags were prominently displayed all around the pub, although whether this is just for the current Euro’s tournament, I’m not sure. One room at the rear had about half a dozen pool tables in, many of which were in use, whilst the adjacent room had a solitary pool table that appeared issued as it was covered up and pile up with boxes of glassware.

Beers on tap were Dark Star Hophead and Butcombe Original, whilst a third pump appeared unused. The pub is apparently Cask Marque accredited going on the signs on the pumps, which rather surprised me. Ciders were well represented with Inch’s Medium Apple, Blackthorn and a trio from Thatcher’s with their Gold, Haze and Dry. Overall, not really my sort of pub, with the only real plus point being the friendly barman. There are far better options just a short walk away.

On 17^th June 2024 - rating: 4
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