Artist Residence, Bristol

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Blackthorn _ left this review about Artist Residence

A recent opening just off Portland Square, it’s not somewhere that’s likely to be just stumbled across by accident, but is nonetheless just a couple of minutes stroll from the Cabot Circus shopping centre and is undoubtedly far superior to any of the bland chain options that can be found there. It’s a mixed use development including a hotel, event space and a café as well as the bar. The bar is known as The Boot Factory, and that is presumably what the building was in a former life and is certainly quite interesting architecturally.

It's divided in to several different rooms internally, with the main bar still looking quite industrial with some sort of concrete screed on the floor, much exposed brickwork including the impressive backdrop to the bar and iron supporting pillars. Some sort of mezzanine level appeared to have been fitted over the front half, with the ceiling above the bar at the rear being much higher with large skylights letting in plenty of light and giving glimpses of the surrounding buildings. The large bar counter had been clad in some rough wooden boards, and an old blue dresser containing cutlery and condiments was off to one side. An old chimney breast was covered in black tiles with a colourful Bouillon Kub painting above and a small fireplace and log store below. At the other end of the bar, a stone archway led through to a much more elegant dining area with dark wooden panelling on the walls as well as some colourful food related artwork such as giant sachets of HP sauce and salad cream as well as a selection of empty tinned fish cans. Towards the rear past an open kitchen there looked to be some sort of courtyard, although we did not investigate this. A smaller snug at the other end had some colourful illuminated alphabet tiles on the wall as well as another small fireplace and beyond this was a light and airy room known as the library which overlooked the square. The trip to the loos was quite interesting being downstairs in the cellars and through some arched tunnels.

Unfortunately there were no real ales on tap, although keg options were represented with Independence and Milk Stout from Bristol Beer Factory and Mosaic and Shangri-La from Arbor. The solitary cider meanwhile was North Street. Overall I really liked this, they’ve done a great job of converting an old industrial building whilst retaining many of the original features, staff were pleasant and friendly and it had a great chilled out and relaxed vibe to it.

On 31^st May 2022 - rating: 7
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