Vittoria, Clifton, Bristol

Painted a startling pinkish/red colour, this pub certainly stands out. The interior is long and narrow. Quite spartan in décor, with a handful of jugs atop the arch which is in place to lessen the severity of the (hopefully present) RSJ that supports the knocked-through wall, as well as a few photos of old Bristol on the walls and uncomfortable-looking wood bench seating. The bar on the left hosts a number of handpumps with three ales on the go during my Xmas visit, a thoroughly uninspiring set of choices and the condition of all but mine was poor; one(ironically enough the Caledonian Xmas beer) was appalling. We sat in the recessed bay window area on a banquette that had seen better days, looking out over a pub that held no other customers. A poor experience overall. Based on this visit, the Vittoria seems to elicit outsized praise simply because of its location on Whiteladies Road (in amongst a sea of student chain bars) rather than because it’s actually any good.