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Disappointment of the week with Mobyduck
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by Quinno _
Submitted on Wednesday, 8th December 2021
With picture contributions to 5000 other pubs
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Detail Pages
Nova Scotia, Hotwells, Bristol
Bristol
BS1 6XJ
Served areas
Reviews of Nova Scotia (Average Rating: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Nova Scotia
Another overdue revisit, which thankfully found no changes to the place whatsoever – it’s still a wonderfully characterful pub in a tidy location. Cask ales were Hobgoblin Gold, Courage Best and Fuller’s Pride (NBSS 4.5 - old style bready taste, properly matured and the best example of this beer I have had in years). Friendly traditional landlady behind the bar. It’s interesting to contrast my comment of 8 years ago – “I really think they could do more on the beer front” – with my attitude now; that so long as the beer is good quality to start with, and then kept well, it doesn’t really matter. Less can often be more when it comes to cask quality as this visit proved. 8.5
October 2013
Not a huge amount of change in the intervening time. Last month’s visit found five pumps, with three ales and two ciders on the go. My Dursley Steam Bitter was three quid and in decent shape, though the Wickwar less so (mind you, I usually find that with their beers…). Food was offered, with proper dinner starting from 7 quid, with doorstep sarnies for £3.50 if you just want a filling snack. An atmospheric place with some waterside seating but I really think they could do more on the beer front – it’s all set-up for it. Rated 7
June 2009
I'd spent many years driving past and thinking "that looks nice, I'll have to go there" and was so pleased that I eventually have. A proper old dockside pub, this place has remained relatively unspoilt and retains bags of character in every season - its wonderfully attractive exterior and location allowing for nice views in the summer months. A cosy session can be had in the winter - the interior is divided into two rooms serviced by a single bar that straddles the pair, with the Captains Table snug in the right-hand room. It has a very lived-in feel, perhaps slightly too lived-in at the moment and it needs a bit of TLC. As expected, nautical memorabilia abounds on the walls, with large maps to peruse. Drinks-wise, it’s perhaps a little under-par with Courage Best and Bass plus two (sporadic) guests and usually a couple of ciders. Quality is usually decent although not consistent enough to get into the GBG. Service is often perfunctory. Pub is currently dog-friendly. The punters are a real cross-section of the local community. I really like this place and would recommend a visit. There’s some room for extra improvement though - this could be the best pub in Bristol if it was allowed to take flight. Rated 7
On 10th December 2021
- rating: 9
[User has posted 5072 recommendations about 5055 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about Nova Scotia
A riverside traditional pub, basically layed out inside but very popular on a late Friday afternoon.Four cask beers were on Courage Best, London Pride ,Deuchars IPA and Fine Tuned Free Style. Pleasant.
On 9th October 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1871 recommendations about 1844 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about Nova Scotia
A traditional old pub located in a great spot alongside the river and opposite a row of attractive cottages, the outside seating area is a prime spot in the warmer months and it’s rare than I venture inside, other than to buy a drink of course.
At this time of year inside seems a better option though, and this consists of one long room running along the front of the pub, along with a small snug to the right which is labelled both as The Captain’s Cabin and a private bar. Décor wise it’s quite traditional with a wood strip floor, dark wood panelling on the lower part of the walls and green paintwork on the doors and other timberwork. There were a few chunky black beams on the ceiling and various nautical charts and small black and white photographs of the river on the walls.
Beers on tap were Deuchars IPA, Bombardier, Courage Best and GWB Hambrook Ale. Ciders meanwhile were Gold and Haze from Thatcher’s. Overall, a pretty decent traditional pub and well worth checking out.
On 25th February 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1947 recommendations about 1860 pubs]
View more reviews of Nova Scotia (8)
Bristol crawl - November 2009 by Gill Smith
Circular Walk of the Floating Harbour - Bristol by Steve of N21
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- Official site of Nova Scotia - www.novascotiabristol.co.uk
- CAMRA WhatPub :: Nova Scotia - whatpub.com
- Historic Pub Interiors - pubheritage.camra.org.uk
Clifton Down, 1.51 miles, 29 min walk (show)
Bedminster, 1.6 miles, 30 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 10 December 2021 by Quinno _
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 10 December 2021 by Quinno _
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 10 December 2021 by Quinno _
- Beer Garden : Yes - outside on the wharf - last updated 10 December 2021 by Quinno _
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 10 December 2021 by Quinno _
- Car Park : No last updated 10 December 2021 by Quinno _
- Child Friendly : No last updated 10 December 2021 by Quinno _
- Darts : No last updated 10 December 2021 by Quinno _
- Dog Friendly : Yes last updated 10 December 2021 by Quinno _
- Function Room : Yes last updated 10 December 2021 by Quinno _
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 10 December 2021 by Quinno _
- Jukebox : No last updated 10 December 2021 by Quinno _
- Karaoke : No last updated 10 December 2021 by Quinno _
- Live Music : No last updated 10 December 2021 by Quinno _
- Live TV Sports : No last updated 10 December 2021 by Quinno _
- Micropub : No last updated 10 December 2021 by Quinno _
- Pinball : No last updated 10 December 2021 by Quinno _
- Pool Table : No last updated 10 December 2021 by Quinno _
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 10 December 2021 by Quinno _
- Real Cider : Yes last updated 10 December 2021 by Quinno _
- Wheelchair Access : No last updated 10 December 2021 by Quinno _
- WiFi : Yes last updated 10 December 2021 by Quinno _
