Coppa Club, Bristol

A relatively recent opening on the site of the former Pizza Express restaurant, this is itself primarily a restaurant with a bar attached, although this is open to non-diners. The bar area is to the left and has it’s open separate entrance way, although this also links through to the restaurant so can be used by diners as well. It’s got quite an elegant feel to it with some sort of wood strip on the floor and a couple of large rugs either side, as well as some chequered grey and white tiling around the wood panelled bar counter. Walls were a mixture of dark blue panelling and while plasterwork above with aqua blue panelling down below. Large windows at the front let in plenty of natural light, and there were several pieces of colourful artwork dotted around the walls, as well as some very large pot plants. Seating was mostly armchairs with some aqua blue banquette seating in the widow, whilst a rather fake looking fireplace had been built to one side. A further room at the rear was more elegant, reminiscent of a hotel drawing room perhaps, with bookcases on the walls, a very fake fire again, although this one did at least have some “flames” in it, and a wooden chest on the floor. The food menu was extensive with several pizza and pasta options, but quite a bit else besides. Prices were a bit on the expensive side with the cheapest main course coming in at £13.50 and the sirloin steak being almost double that, even before the 12½% service charge has been added. Everything we had was just ok – nothing wrong with it, but certainly nothing to get excited about either and not somewhere I’ll be rushing back to sample what else they’ve got. There were no real ales on tap unfortunately, just Wild Beer Bibble on keg. Even worse there was no cider, either on tap or bottled. Quite unbelievable, I can’t remember the last time I came across that. Even the blandest hotel bar with have a bottle of something. On the plus side the barmaid was very friendly, and happily offered samples of what they did have to try. Overall though, this is fine as a not cheap and cheerful place to grab a bite to eat, but it’s neither a destination restaurant or pub.

Official site of Coppa Club - coppaclub.co.uk