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White Lion Bar @ Avon Gorge Hotel, Clifton Village, Bristol
Clifton
Bristol
BS8 4LD
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The White Lion (Avon Gorge Hotel)
Spotted a large terrace full of punters enjoying the sunshine whilst traipsing over the Suspension Bridge and thought ‘why not?’ At first glance from the street there’s a little confusion as to quite where you’re supposed to enter to access the terrace (the hotel bit or the bar bit?) but in actuality they all link together. The interior is kitted-out in a rather bland and vapid manner, featuring an island bar with minimal room furnishings but nevermind, the sun was out and there was a table free right at the business end of the terrace which afforded magnificent views stretching from the Suspension Bridge through the Gorge to a decent chunk of Bristol city centre and beyond. Two ales on (each stationed at different ends of the bar, d’oh) Butcombe’s Rare Breed and Bitter, both of which were in good shape and under £4pp which I wasn’t expecting either. The terrace area had some raised decking and, unusually, a pie concession (just under £9 for pie plus sides). There seems to be an ill-at-ease policy here of aiming both at the students and the up-market populace and I can imagine the tales of long queues and woeful service could well play-out at certain times. Still, based on this visit (perhaps I got lucky?) I’d be happy to pop back again if I could secure a decent seat outside.
On 24th May 2013
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about The Avon Gorge Hotel
Although this pub is titled The Avon Gorge Hotel, it does have it’s own identity and is known as The White Lion. Although it is the hotel bar, it’s got it’s own entrance and many punters would probably be unaware of the fact that it is attached to a hotel. The main draw is undoubtedly the very large patio area at the back with a fantastic, uninterrupted view Brunel’s Suspension Bridge as well as much of the gorge from which the hotel takes it’s name. This is a popular spot and gets packed on a nice summer’s day when it can be tricky to find a seat. I have on occasions seen a BBQ going as well. An Australian relative was rather bemused by the plastic shrubbery however.
Inside it’s a little less appealing. The walls are painted in a slightly depressing shade of maroon, and there are many blackboards advertising forthcoming sporting fixtures that are being shown. On this occasion there was a very large projection screen in one corner showing the football, as well as a couple of plasma’s dotted around. A sports bar in an upmarket hotel seems an odd combination. The floor is striped wood and there are lots of pine tables and chairs around as well as a few sofa’s by the large windows. The bar area itself is an island in the middle of the room and is a trendy sort of affair with marble counter top and chrome pillars.
I didn’t check the menu, but food was always quite popular as I recall from previous visits. Last night they appeared to be doing some sort of a curry deal that certainly smelt good. Service was ok, although the barman didn’t appear to have much in the way of personality. However, they were quite quiet on a recent Monday evening visit so there shouldn’t be any problems. In the summer it can be a frustrating experience with the numbers of bar staff being far short of what is required, and the staff seeming to have little idea of whose turn it is to be served next or even how to work efficiently. A ten minute scrum at the bar is not unusual. Similarly my recollection of prices from previous visits is that they’re quite expensive, although last night’s £7.70 for a couple of pints and a bottle of Corona didn’t seem too bad. Either they’ve had a change of policy of they jack their prices up in the summer to take advantage of the good weather.
The beer and cider choice was disappointing, with Butcombe being the solitary beer offering, and Bulmers the only cider. In summary I would have to say the only reason to really visit here is for the patio in the summer which is a fantastic spot. Otherwise there are plenty of far better pubs just a very short walk away.
On 23rd November 2010
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1949 recommendations about 1862 pubs]