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Disappointment of the week with Tris39
on the Pub Forum
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The Old Duke, Bristol
Bristol
BS1 4ER
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Old Duke
I’ve been out drinking along King Street numerous times, but never on a Saturday night, so it was quite an experience to see all the pubs packed and the great many outdoor benches fully occupied when we stopped by on a warm autumn weekend. Having tried all of the usual suspect, we popped into this place for our last drink of the night thanks to it being pretty much the last pub to call time. It’s a pleasant enough pub with a split-level interior and relatively traditional feel compared to many of the other nearby pubs. It seems that the pub probably had a multiple room interior in the past but has now been knocked through into a single space, with the bar serving both sides across the two levels. Some mixed seating is available around the perimeter of the room, with some space reserved for the live jazz that is regularly scheduled, although the majority of the seating can be found out on the cobbled street, with a great many picnic benches running in rows for a great distance. Decor is fairly traditional and included a few jazz related bits, but the theme isn’t particularly over-bearing – it’s not even that apparent that the pub’s name is a reference to jazz musician Duke Ellington.
I wasn’t expecting to find much in the way of cask ale in here, but they had no less than six different beers on handpull. The majority of these were quite mainstream bitters and pale ales such as Sharps Doom Bar and Courage Best, but I ended up with a pint of the only vaguely interesting beer, which was Wye Valley HPA, served up by a very flirty barmaid and in decent enough condition. A very strange moment occurred whilst I was waiting to be served. The bloke next to me ordered a round and was arguing with his mate about who was supposed to be paying for it. The barmaid started walking towards them with the card machine when it pinged and to her amazement, the card machine had taken the payment somehow, leaving her and the two lads looking very bemused as to who had picked up the tab, as neither had presented a card to the reader! Suffice to say, I checked my bank balance when I got home, but thankfully they didn’t get a free round on me!
This place doesn’t really compete with the majority of the pubs on King Street when it comes to the beer, but does offer a rather more traditional drinking environment and the prospect of some decent live music, which makes it worth a look if you’re working your way down the street. Bonus points if a random stranger inadvertently pays for your round!
On 30th December 2021
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Old Duke
A Bristol institution based on its daily live jazz and I was fortunate enough to visit when it was on. Named after Duke Eliington (obvs), it's quite a compact right-angled pub over two small levels. Black and white chequerboard flooring, nicotine stained embossed wallpaper and old jazz gig flyers glued to the ceiling made for an appropriate décor. The place was almost full-to-capacity but I managed to squeeze myself in at the bar. Two banks of pumps doubled-up; three ales in Courage Best, Castle Rock Harvest Pale, Hooky Gold (fair) and Old Rosie cider. I enjoyed my stay but I guess the jazz helped quite significantly.
On 1st February 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5072 recommendations about 5055 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Old Duke
Music wise and ale wise a let down on this visit. There was a choice of six ales and two ciders on hand pump. The choice as far as ale goes, was nothing to write home about. The selection varied from Doom bore, Castle Rock and Black Sheep. We all went for the Black Sheep Holy Grail, which hadn't any flavour and tasted too sugary and toffee flavoured and wasn't cheap neither. The live band was playing some Calypso music, which as professional musicians go, they were all up there. The only problem was the drummer was drowning out the piano and bass and was basically too loud and overbearing, so we took our drinks to the tables outside, where I left most of mine.
On 13th October 2016
- rating: 5
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Old Duke
An old school jazz orientated pub which is a throw back to times gone by.The interior is open plan on two levels with lino in black and white chequers thoughout.To the right of the entrane is a small corner stage.The doors to the lavs are marked Duke and Ella maintaining the theme.Slightly worrying is a 60's photos of a group of musicians including the now disgraced Jonathan King looking shifty.I wasnt expecting much on the real ale front but there was a choice of Otter Bitter,Doom Bar,Courage Best,Bath Gem and a real Thatchers cider.
The pub was busy on a Friday afternoon,probably with fans of jazz ,although it was too early for any performers.The bohemian atmosphere created by the worn interior is quite a contrast to the craft beer bars and pubs that now dominate King Street.Nothing exciting on the real ale front here ,but the pub serves a different purpose and was a fun place to pop into for a quick one.Very attractive barmaid.
On 25th July 2015
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about The Old Duke
An old street corner pub in the historic heart of Bristol, which is renowned for it’s live jazz music and has live bands playing on the small corner stage most nights. Entry is usually, if not always, free and frequently attracts big crowds. The chance of getting a seat is nil, and often even standing space is in short supply. If it’s nice though, there’s some pleasant seating in the cobbled street outside, with the timbered Llandoger Trow opposite providing a pleasant backdrop.
The pub itself is a U-shape affair with a central bar area, and the aforementioned stage in one corner. Decor wise it’s quite traditional with that sandy brown paint on the ceilings that many pubs have to hide the nicotine. Various jazz posters highlight bands that have played here over the years. In spite of being packed, service at the bar was quick and efficient.
Beers on tap were Otter, Doom Bar, Gem and Courage Best. Good choice of ciders with Thatcher’s Cheddar Valley, Stowford Press and Thatcher’s Gold.
On 19th August 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1947 recommendations about 1860 pubs]