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Disappointment of the week with Real Ale Ray
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Detail Pages
Dirty Martini, Bristol
Bristol
BS1 1HT
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 2 of 10) see review guidelines
Blackthorn _ left this review about Dirty Martini
This has now changed name yet again, and is now a branch of the Dirty Martini cocktail chain. I suppose it just barely qualifies as a pub since they had one lager on tap, but that’s the lot, the focus here is very much on cocktails.
Although the layout is largely unchanged with a large bar counter running the length of the left-hand wall, it’s all been blinged up a bit with jazzy orange lighting, a glitter ball or two on the ceiling and bright blue illumination above the bar. A small marble island in the middle of the pub broke up the space a little and provided somewhere for vertical drinking, whilst the rest of the seating was a mixture of padded banquettes around the permitter and padded armchairs with brass topped tables. A neon sign on the wall proclaimed “Talk Dirty To Me” whilst the music was really far too loud for easy conversation. On the plus side, the large, arched windows let in plenty of light, and the colour scheme worked reasonably well I suppose. Although we were seated and brought a menu promptly enough, after that we seemed to be forgotten about, and after some time gave up waiting and went elsewhere. Perhaps they didn’t really want to serve us, we’re obviously not their target demographic with everyone else in there being at least thirty years younger than us.
As mentioned, no ales of any description on tap unfortunately, with the sole draught offering being Peroni. I really can see no reason to visit here – it’s clearly not a pub, and even if you want a cocktail there are far, far better options just a short stroll away.
On 13th August 2023
- rating: 2
[User has posted 1947 recommendations about 1860 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about The Bristologist
Since my previous review, this has changed name a couple of times, being The Vault Room for a while before becoming The Bristologist. I had seen a notice outside recently advertising a selection of craft beers and so thought I’d give it another try. Unfortunately though, there was no sign of any on the bar, and upon enquiring I was directed to a few bottles from Bath Ales in the ‘fridge. Apparently they used to have more of a range, but that’s it now.
In terms of layout it’s largely unchanged, and most of the tables appear to be geared up for dining. A rather unpleasant smell assailed us as soon as we entered – whether there was a plumbing problem I’m not sure, but it certainly wasn’t very nice and we were tempted to turn on our heels and leave. Besides that, it has a slightly shabby appearance and last orders were called at 10:15, so all in all I really didn’t warm to the place.
Unfortunately there were no real ales on tap, just a keg pale ale of some description whose name escapes me. Although there were quite a number of hand pumps on the bar, these were predominantly premium lagers. The solitary cider meanwhile was Aspall’s Suffolk.
On 14th March 2017
- rating: 3
[User has posted 1947 recommendations about 1860 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about All Bar One
This has quite a European feel to it, and the food was better than expected. I had avoided this place for several years as they did not sell any cider, but fortunately they have now seen the error of their ways and are stocking one, even if it is rather sweet and not at all local.
It's a large single room bar with a counter running the whole length of one wall. There are some high tables with bar stools and bench seating around the opposite wall, and a selection of tables scattered around all with candles on them to add to the ambience. It's a shame that the overhead ducting for the ventilation and other service pipes seem to have rather obscured the ornate ceiling. It would have been nice if they had made more of a feature of it like the Commercial Rooms and many other establishments in Corn Street, rather than just hiding it away. It's fine in a warehouse style establishment like the Tobacco Factory, but it doesn't really fit in here. The corporate branding was a little OTT, with the bar name emblazoned across everything from the window blinds to the clock, and even the hand dryers in the loo and the rather superfluous bit of paper than came pinned to the top of my burger. Just in case you've forgotten by the time your food arrives where you are.
The Eastern European waitress was friendly and efficient and there was a good choice on the menu, with a whole range of food from snacks and sharing platters to steaks and more adventurous dishes, with a particularly good selection of burgers. Most of the mains are around the £8 - £12 mark, and my burger with caramelised red onions and a very decent wedge of Camembert certainly hit the spot, although it could have been a few degrees warmer. It’s nice to get a proper bottle of Heinz ketchup as well, rather than a small pot of some indeterminate red sauce or a sachet that you can’t open and only contains about half a teaspoonful anyway.
The only beer was keg London Pride, although there was a good selection of continental stuff (all fitted with fake beer engine hand pumps!). The solitary cider was Aspall’s Suffolk. There were a few barrels racked up behind the bar, but unfortunately these were not for beer, merely a means of dispensing wine.
On 1st September 2010
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1947 recommendations about 1860 pubs]