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Detail Pages
The Thunderbolt, Totterdown, Bristol
Totterdown
Bristol
BS4 3ED
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Thunderbolt
Formerly called the Turnpike, this is a rarely open place (which given its faintly gothic exterior is rather apt) that seems to only be for live music and private parties now. Luckily I happened to be passing when an example of the latter was on, so I blagged my way in. Inside is a big, plain oblong room with another small area behind a partition. To the rear is a paved garden with mini marquee. Two ales, St Austell Tribute and BBF Fortitude which was in good enough shape. One for completists but serves a local purpose, I guess.
On 1st February 2019
- rating: 5
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Jonathan Wilde left this review about The Thunderbolt
They now appear to advertise Sunday lunch as an open time to fit this pub in between 12-4pm
On 13th June 2013
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 365 recommendations about 347 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about The Thunderbolt
After numerous attempts to get in here but not having managed it because they were either closed or charging for entry due to the bands that were on, I have now eventually made it. Nonetheless, there was a band on, and the barman wanted to know if we were “here for the music”. Presumably if we’d replied in the affirmative we would have been charged something for the privilege of buying his beer.
It’s got an unusual, gothic appearance from the outside, and is not actually too bad inside either, although it doesn’t have much in the way of any “olde worlde” character that you might expect. The flooring is a mixture of wooden boards to the left, and slate tiles elsewhere whilst the walls are mostly cream plasterwork with some exposed brickwork in places. A few shelves of books looked as though they may have been part of some swap scheme, and there was an old wooden dresser adorned with fairly lights, as well as coloured glass beads hanging from a wall light. Some wooden carvings on the wall depicted local scenes such as the “three lamps” junction just along the road.
The band were a little loud for easy conversation, but then this known as a music venue so one should expect that. Had it been warmer we could have decamped to the decent sized garden at the rear.
Beers on tap were BBF’s Sunrise and Doom Bar. Ciders were Thatcher’s Gold and Thatcher’s Dry.
On 24th May 2013
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1948 recommendations about 1861 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Jonathan Wilde left this review about The Thunderbolt
Finally managed this pub after years of trying. Doors billed as open at 7 for free evening but when we got there just after 7 owner thought we were the band. Kindly he let us in for a pint and is a very chatty person with passion for what they are doing. Large beer garden at rear and a shame it can't survive as a pub due to location. Doombar on draught.
Key to doing this is look online for the free nights in the week.
On 2nd March 2012
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 365 recommendations about 347 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pete Yeates left this review about The Thunderbolt
I called in here for a pint a couple of months ago, early evening.
There was a band setting up to back a "featured singer" and in that I was only stopping for a quick pint, I got away with the admission fee that is usually charged when entertainment is on.
Not the cheapest place in the area, like the Bocabar down the road, but having said that, there's a good list of entertainment and the acts that have been here perhaps justifies the higher bar prices and inevitable door charge?
Being a Bristolian, it's a shame the "Turnpike" is yet another well known Bristol Pub that's changed name!
On 4th August 2010
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 99 recommendations about 92 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Brian McCulloch left this review about The Thunderbolt
Used to be a rather tired Totterdown local. I understand from an old neighbour and long standing Totterdown resident that it is now happily rejuvenated and enjoying life as a lively music & social venue.
On 18th June 2008
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 33 recommendations about 33 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Claire Fenwick left this review about The Thunderbolt
We went to see the Beatlemaniacs here on 29 December, had a fantastic night. The pub feels cosy and stylish with it's new refurb. Easily accessible by taxi and plenty of parking in the streets behind so don't be put off by the Bath Road being on it's doorstep. Ladies toilets immaculate and the landlord really friendly.
On 31st December 2007
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3 recommendations about 3 pubs]