Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
Gus Woltmann with sheffield hatter
on the Pub Forum

Image posted by adam bell
Submitted on Tuesday, 16th February 2021
With picture contributions to 2375 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (7 more images)
Detail Pages
The Bear at Hotwells, Hotwells, Bristol
Bristol
BS8 4SF
Served areas
Reviews of The Bear at Hotwells (Average Rating: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about The Bear at Hotwells
A traditional old pub on the main Hotwells Road, it is known as something of a rugby pub and I would imagine it was rammed earlier in the day when the Six Nations matches were on, but by the time we arrived later on Saturday evening it was fairly quiet with a just a smattering of other punters scattered around what is a surprisingly large pub.
Internally it’s split over a couple of different levels with the right hand half being up a few steps from the entrance. Décor wise it’s quite traditional with a wood strip floor and some chequered tiling by the bar counter, some stained glass above the bar counter and etched glass on the front windows. Paintwork was mostly white along with a deep salmon colour in places and it some places it seemed quite dated with old rotating lights and fans on the ceiling, for example. A TV screen was still showing a rugby match, but the volume was off so this was not too intrusive and instead a decent 80’s music mix was playing. Continuing the rugby theme, a number of balls were up on a shelf above the bar as well as a few bits and pieces on the walls. There was also an aerial topographical drawing of Bristol which you could spend quite some time studying and picking out interesting details if you are familiar with the area.
Beers on tap were Wadworth’s Dirty Rucker, Doom Bar and Courage Best whilst the ciders were Thatcher’s Gold, Thatcher’s Dry and Natch. Overall, this is a decent enough local’s boozer and I’d happily pop in if passing, but equally wouldn’t make a special effort either with plenty of other options in the vicinity.
On 25th February 2019
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1912 recommendations about 1828 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about The Bear at Hotwells
The Bear at Hotwells is situated on the the busy Hotwells Road.
Once inside the bar faces in an oblong shaped room which runs the width of the pub,there is bench seating and chairs opposite the bar,the left side is up six steps,there are normal tables and chairs in this area.
There were three real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Prescott Hill Climb,which was a nice drink,the other real ales were Courage Bitter and Doom Bar.
Background music was playing and the two TVs were showing cricket.
I thought this was a decent enough pub to have a drink in.
Pub visited 15/7/2017
On 22nd October 2017
- rating: 7
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]
No known official website for this pub.
- Facebook - The Bear Inn at Hotwells
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Bear at Hotwells - whatpub.com
Parson Street, 1.69 miles, 32 min walk (show)
Bedminster, 1.83 miles, 35 min walk (show)
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 19 December 2013 by Jonathan Wilde
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 19 December 2013 by Jonathan Wilde
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 19 December 2013 by Jonathan Wilde
- Beer Garden : Yes last updated 19 December 2013 by Jonathan Wilde
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 19 December 2013 by Jonathan Wilde
- Car Park : No last updated 19 December 2013 by Jonathan Wilde
- Darts : Yes - oche present but board was covered - last updated 19 December 2013 by Jonathan Wilde
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 19 December 2013 by Jonathan Wilde
- Jukebox : Yes last updated 19 December 2013 by Jonathan Wilde
- Live TV Sports : Yes last updated 19 December 2013 by Jonathan Wilde
- Micropub : No last updated 02 September 2015 by Jonathan Wilde
- Pinball : No last updated 19 December 2013 by Jonathan Wilde
- Real Ale : Yes - Doombar - last updated 11 September 2013 by Dave McNally
- Real Cider : No last updated 19 December 2013 by Jonathan Wilde
- Wheelchair Access : No last updated 19 December 2013 by Jonathan Wilde
- WiFi : Yes - The Cloud - last updated 19 December 2013 by Jonathan Wilde