The Crown, Bristol

The Crown is a split-level pub with small seating areas at the front and stairs up to the bar area and more seating beyond. The L-shaped serving counter supports four handpumps that were drawing St Austell’s Tribute and Proper Job alongside a couple of Weston’s Rosie’s Pig Ciders. Premium keg is also available and the food menu consists mainly of pizza. The main demographic during my recent midweek evening visit seemed to be students who had all congregated in the rear seating area for a quiz. I wouldn’t go out of my way to revisit, but I do like a pint of Proper Job so would be tempted back in if passing.

Located down a narrow street round the side of the Corn Exchange, a very Dickensian approach. An appealing exterior gives way to a surprisingly large interior with a number of old rooms over a number of levels. Traditional alehouse decor with black tar wood floor, flock embossed wallpaper, burgundy/cream colour scheme and muted lighting but as mentioned below, perhaps less cosy that you might have hoped for. Perhaps unfortunately the atmosphere was spoilt by the screens showing TV sport on mute whilst music plodded away in the background, alongside the thud and clink of the pool table. A good range at the bar, six pumps with five ales; St Austell Proper Job, Black Sheep Bitter, Arbor Blue Sky Drinking, Bath Gem and Bath Prophecy (fair). Friels, Skreach and Knights cider on pump plus 3 others chalked on a board. It's a decent stop overall and does enough to warrant a visit if you’re in the area. 6.5