The Berkeley (JD Wetherspoon), Clifton, Bristol

This has been going for a few years now (it opened during Britpop and was one of the first Bristol pubs I ventured into). It was a grand place on opening but is now looking rather down at heel. A few interesting ales are usually on, though availability and quality vary tremendously. The inside is an odd mix of students (Bristol Uni is just across the road) and local cheapskates, which often makes for a strange atmosphere. The architectural selling point here is that it's a former shopping arcade, which included the Berkeley Tea Rooms. Apparently there's also a whispering gallery but I confess to never having noticed it - presumably because of the noise generated by the hoards of student drinkers makes the whispering bit somewhat redundant. It's worth checking out some other nearby outlets first, rather than ending up here by default.

Not too bad mid-afternoon, but won't be hurrying back...

Official pages of the Berkeley - www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk

Official pages of the Berkeley - www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk

Large Wetherspoon's with up to eight guest ales.Usual Wethergrub.Like most other Wetherspoon's this is fast becoming a nursery.