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The Louisiana, Bristol
Bristol
BS1 4RH
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about The Louisiana
A good sized pub and although only a short stroll from the centre and waterfront, it’s sufficiently off the beaten track that it doesn’t get much in the way of passing trade, and it was quite quiet on our visit even though it was the Thursday just before Christmas. Music is a major draw here though and it is no doubt the punters going to gigs that sustain it.
Appropriately given it’s name, it has something of a New Orleans look to the outside, and is an unusual shape being curved at one end. Downstairs it’s all one open plan room, although with a raised area at one end segregating it slightly. Flooring is a mixture of wood strip and carpet and a number of posters of bands were on the walls, presumably ones that have played here previously, and in many cases I’m sure, before they were quite so famous. Kasabian, The Vaccines, Florence and the Machine and Amy Winehouse are a few examples. The walls are predominantly pale green paintwork, with darker green on the timberwork and deep red on some of the wood panelling. A couple of plasma screens were dotted around, but these were not in use on our visit.
Beers on tap were Butcombe and Gem, whilst ciders were well represented with Thatcher’s Gold, Stowford Press and Orchard Pig Reveller.
On 23rd December 2016
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1949 recommendations about 1862 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about Louisiana
I didn’t get this place at first when we visited. Seemed a strange non- pub like set up to me, being a one room pub with the bar tucked up one end an open expanse in the middle and then some seating down the far end. That was until I saw some posters on the walls and had it confirmed by the barman that this is actually a music venue with a music room and stage above the bar area.
Now that I’m home and googled it, this is a key venue on the Bristol music scene for unknown bands and they have had several people play here who then went on to be big (The Killers and Keane for example).
I’m sure this is a great venue when there’s a band on but not sure I’d bother when there isn’t, as there wasn’t much atmosphere considering we visited on a Saturday night. And for the record there is one real ale pump dispensing Fullers London Pride.
On 5th September 2010
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2111 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Louisiana
Formerly the Bathurst Tavern, this is a great gig venue for small unsigned bands. The pub is located by the harbour side and the exterior has an attractive Deep American South-style iron balcony. The interior is quite large, with a stripped wooden floor. There’s a nice atmosphere when it’s busy (which is irregular unless a gig is on upstairs or at weekends) and was a great pre-Thekla Purple Heart meet-up venue back in the day after moving on up from the Watershed. Unlike 1996, it now has a token handpull (Pride) in decent nick. Many happy memories for me here, shame it’s often so quiet.
On 5th January 2007
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Brian McCulloch left this review about Louisiana
Live music venue with a harbourside location. Wonderful ironwork balconies overlook Bathurst Basin, historic link between the 'New Cut' and the Floating Harbour. One of the original 19thC harbourside inns with an interesting history. The Governor of the old gaol (gatehouse remains over the road) took refuge here when prison was attacked by an angry mob!
On 16th August 2006
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 33 recommendations about 33 pubs]