The Trout Tavern, Bristol

A traditional old pub just off the High Street, this was for many years something of I cider house if I recall correctly, and whilst it’s largely unchanged inside and there’s still a decent selection of apple based tipples, the range isn’t quite as extensive as I remember it. It consists of two rooms of similar size either side of a serving area. The bar to the left had a darts match in progress on a recent visit, consequently it was quite noisy and there was limited room. The bar to the right is quite cosy with black beams on the ceiling and an exposed stone wall at the front. The rear wall was painted a deep red colour, whilst elsewhere it was the usual cream plasterwork with dark wood panelling down below. A small fire-place with a wood-burning stove was off to one side with a piano nearby. There were all manor of nic-nacs dotted around, and these included an old typewriter, sewing machine, books and jugs on a shelf, old black and white photo’s, plates and pottery in display cases, jugs and tankards hanging from the ceiling and several fish in display cases, which given the pub’s name seems more appropriate than is often the case. At the rear is a covered patio area which had some coloured lighting creating a pleasant effect. The solitary beer on tap was Pedigree, although there was a second pump so there may on occasions be others. Ciders were Thatcher’s Gold, Thatcher’s Traditional and Blackthorn. All in all I really liked this pub, with it’s friendly barmaid, decent cider selection and traditional and cosy ambience it’s certainly one of the better ones in the town.