Swan, Bristol

A slightly uninspiring looking building located on a busy dual carriageway and next to a hotel, it is nonetheless pleasant enough inside albeit in a not particularly traditional way and there are also a few picnic benches in a courtyard garden to the side. I was pounced on by the landlord as soon as I’d walked in who wanted to know if I was eating or not. He was pleasant enough I suppose, but I found him a little overbearing as he seemed to be continually hovering around the whole time I was there. The barmaid in contrast was much more relaxed and friendly. The pub is more or less an L-shape arrangement, and the first room that you get to if entering from the front has a carpeted floor with grey painted wood panelling on the lower part of the walls and cream plasterwork elsewhere, although the rear wall was in a contrasting lemon. It seemed a slightly strange choice of décor – not a traditional pub look, but not really contemporary either. Various miscellaneous pictures were dotted around the walls, including old photographs of the pub and accolades from Trip Advisor and such like. There was even a copper jelly mould or two as well as a disused fire-place at one end. I did not inspect the other room but quickly noted rough cream plasterwork on the walls, various potted plants around, numerous old suitcases up on a ledge and a large picture of the Suspension Bridge. I was there on a lunch time, and a quick glance at the menu showed a concise selection of main courses such as fish cakes, fish & chips, rack of ribs, steaks or a vegetable risotto, and these were mostly priced somewhere between £8 - £12, although the ribs and steak were all more than this. In addition there were a number of burgers, salads and sandwiches as well as a specials board. How this compares to the evening menu I’m not sure. There was a good choice of beers on tap with Juniper Pale Ale, Jennings Cocky Blond, Ringwood Old Thumper, Hobgoblin and Pedigree. Ciders meanwhile were also well represented with Stowford Press, Thatcher’s Gold and Cheddar Valley.

Official site of Swan - www.swanhotelbristol.com

Official site of Swan - www.swanhotelbristol.com