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Detail Pages
The Drawbridge, Bristol
Bristol
BS1 4UT
Pub Type
John Barras (Spirit Pubs)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about The Drawbridge
Recently re-opened after an extensive refurbishment, this is a Greene King house in a prominent position on the city centre, and should be buzzing with a good trade, not least from the adjacent theatre. That rarely seems to be the case though, and from experience it is often practically deserted. Hopefully that will change now, although the refurbishment is rather generic in character and no doubt much the same as many other GK pubs up and down the country.
Whilst the layout is pretty much unchanged, it is of course now tidy and up together whilst it was looking slightly down at heel previously. It’s a good size internally and divided in to a number of separate areas. The flooring is predominantly wood strip, with some chequered tiling around the bar counter, whilst the walls are a mixture of mostly dark green paintwork and wood panelling. Some of this is quite extensive in places, and with the addition of old black and white photographs on the walls gives it an almost elegant feel, although the presence of a pool table rather negated this. A large mural of Brunel’s Suspension Bridge was on one wall, and elsewhere were old photographs of Bristol, many featuring hot air balloons for which the city is famed. There were also a number of film star pictures, including local lad Cary Grant. Some large Greene King etched mirrors completed the interior décor, although there was also a glass display cabinet with books about Bristol and a model of the Bristol bus. A TV screen was showing the darts match, but the volume was off so this was not too intrusive.
Beers on tap were Greene King IPA, Abbott Ale, Timothy Taylor Landlord and Butcombe, whilst a fifth pump appeared unused. Ciders meanwhile were a trio from Thatcher’s with Dry, Gold and Haze, along with Strongbow Dark Fruit. What had started out as a fairly relaxed pint whilst we waited for our bus soon changed at 11:00pm when there was some rather aggressive bell ringing and the background music was promptly turned off. By 11:02 the lights had been turned up, the TV and fruit machines turned off and we were told that they’d “be kicking out in five or ten minutes”. Not one I’ll be rushing back to, but I may pop in again purely because of it’s location if I find myself with time to kill before the bus.
On 1st January 2018
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1947 recommendations about 1860 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Drawbridge
Dull John Barras pub on that part of the former quayside which is now filled in. Split-level interior with a little further seating upstairs, all with the expected corporate furniture and decor. Further annoyance is that just two of the six handpumps were in use, dispensing Courage Directors and Greene King IPA Reserve.
On 27th December 2015
- rating: 5
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Drawbridge
Drawn in by the lure of a CAMRA discount (I’m cheap and I admit it!) I was stuck by how similar the place was all these years later from its Horn & Trumpet days - I was sure that its location and proximity to the Hippodrome would have seen a major internal gutting and modern refit but no, it still seems aimed at the students and weekend binge drinkers. The U-shaped interior is quite gloomy and painted in vomit yellow. There’s a raised section to the rear that looks a little classier and there are a number of tight semi-circular booths on a spur off the right-hand side of the main bar. Two pool tables out the back by the toilets(!). Perhaps the only real selling point is the exterior seating overlooking the square. Parts of the interior need maintenance, which given its location next to a theatre smacks of laziness. At the bar there were a surprising number of ales (Butcombe Bitter, Prescott and Doom Bar with Tribute ‘back soon’). It was 10% off for CAMRA cards as advertised and my half of Prescott clocked in at a very reasonable £1.32 which helped offset its middling condition (a bright start that faded very rapidly). This is a place that really should be aiming for the stars given its enviable location next to the Hippodrome and redeveloped dockside area - but instead seems content to work on the maxim that even a stopped clock still tells the right time twice a day.
February 2008
Now called the Drawbridge. The Horn and Trumpet was a dark and fairly rancid place in its latter years, an example of another Bristol town centre pub that went downhill in the late 90's. I doubt many people mourn its passing. I don't.
On 24th May 2013
- rating: 5
[User has posted 5072 recommendations about 5055 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ron J left this review about The Drawbridge
Great Team, sports for all occasions and good music on friday and saturdays with djs
On 4th April 2012
- rating: 10
[User has posted 1 recommendations about 1 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Mark Jury left this review about The Drawbridge
The Drawbridge really is a good friendly pub now, with great staff and a great atmosphere. It has food specials during the week, sky sports for all sporting events and entertainment disco every Friday & Saturday night.
On 31st March 2012
- rating: 10
[User has posted 1 recommendations about 1 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
BobOs . left this review about The Drawbridge
Dirty, unfriendly, abysmal service and over expensive. It wasn't much better when it was the Horn and Trumpet. Visitors to the Hippodrome are well advised to turn left outside the Hippodrome, then right into the side road and visit the Bunch of Grapes for an infinitely better experience.
On 16th July 2011
- rating: 1
[User has posted 370 recommendations about 355 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Drawbridge
Now called the Drawbridge. The Horn and Trumpet was a dark and fairly rancid place in its latter years, an example of another Bristol town centre pub that went downhill in the late 90's. I doubt many people mourn its passing. I don't.
On 7th February 2008
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 5072 recommendations about 5055 pubs]