5 Pub Crawls to Conquer Bristol

The Very Best Bristol Pub Crawls

Think you know Bristol? Well, you’ve not really got a grip on what this city is about until you’ve visited its various localities, and what better way to do that than sampling a few pubs along the way? Here are the routes I think are particularly good for that time old tradition of pub crawling.

Harbourside

The original, and arguably still the best. The harbour boasts some of the city’s best watering holes coupled with some great views (I mean, who doesn’t love boats and multicoloured houses?).

Suggested route:

1. The Ostrich – take advantage of that big terrace overlooking the water

#Bristol #harbour #friday #drinks @TheOstrichBris pic.twitter.com/3Vppnocohb

— Jet-setter Jones (@Jetsetter_Jones) August 7, 2015

2. The Orchard – try to pick from their extensive cider selection

First pub of the crawl The orchard inn, just where do I start! @oliverscider sweet and perry it is! #bristol #cider pic.twitter.com/mNkXpjRY5K

— Cider lover (@theciderlover) June 20, 2015

3. The Nova Scotia – great views of Cumberland Basin

https://twitter.com/Somerset_Tim/status/581005045694517248

4. The Pump House – top notch food and the biggest gin stash in Bristol if not the UK

So how many do we actually have..!? #gin pic.twitter.com/LUTNkj0uHy

— Pump House Bristol (@PumpHseBristol) September 2, 2015

5. The Grain Barge – bar on a boat! And they do music! And pie!

RT@pdgphotos: The Grain Barge at night#Bristol #photography #grainbarge pic.twitter.com/ilGEoD8umV

— Mirsini Koumpa (@MirsiniK) February 5, 2015

Full route: http://lifelessorganised.com/2013/05/01/walk-bristol-1-the-harbour/

St Michael’s Hill

A more condensed route, but the clue’s in the name here – it’s on a steep bloody hill, so make sure you start at the top.

Suggested route:

1. The Highbury Vaults – cosy ale pub with a great garden out back, and bar billiards!

Favourite bar, little bar at the front of the Highbury Vaults, Kingsdown, Bristol pic.twitter.com/ylCLwAGaAE

— Nick Hand (@nickhand) June 20, 2013

2. Beerd – Craft beer bar which also serves tasty pizza

@DJGammer seen this in Bristol today haha gammers beerd pic.twitter.com/AJcbGtZKD5

— Ben chivers (@chivs_88) September 16, 2015

3. The White Bear – large and comfortable pub with boardgame, nice.

4. The Robin Hood – small but packed with interesting beers

5. The Colston Arms – a great traditional local – top roasts too.

Our new A board is out.. #colstonarmsboards #killerhill #youdeserveit #beer #bristol pic.twitter.com/M2jPO1dAnU

— Colston Arms (@ColstonArms) July 15, 2015

Full route: http://lifelessorganised.com/2013/05/10/walk-bristol-2-st-michaels-hill/

Stokes Croft

An edgier route but arguably more ‘culturally enriching’, ie. you can look at some good grafitti and buy a PRSC mug. The pubs here all a bit different and it’s worth veering into Montpelier for some extra hidden treats!

Suggested route:

1. The Full Moon – a proper party pub with a huge front terrace and shisha garden!

#TBT the Full Moon, Stokes Croft Bristol painted back in December #cheba pic.twitter.com/gg1MqifDns

— Cheba (@cheba_bristol) July 23, 2015

2. The Bell – quirky little pub with home cooked food & a cute garden out back

We've got that Friday feeling, this week we are headed here, http://t.co/ndNIrrRSzY @BellStokesCroft

— Clifton Short Lets (@CliftonShortLet) October 16, 2015

3. Canteen – the cultural hub of Stokes Croft, with excellent food & live music

4. The Crofters Rights – a fun craft beer bar, and also features Ray’s Pizza

Yummy wall @Crofters_Rights. Bristol beer is goooooooood! pic.twitter.com/E2RriPanxh

— Brewtorial (@brewtorial_uk) October 20, 2015

5. The Hillgrove – 5mins behind Stokes Croft, but worth the detour. Great ales & food.

Best mulled cider at @TheHillgrove tonight! pic.twitter.com/sLCvXHWbyX

— Shonette (@Shonette) November 5, 2015

Full route: http://lifelessorganised.com/2013/06/04/pub-crawl-bristol-3-stokes-croft-the-urban-art-scene/

Gloucester Road

The most ambitious pub crawl there is – I’ve yet to meet anyone who has completed the whole stretch from Horfield Common down to the Arches (around 20 pubs, eeek). Still, it’s arguably the best stretch for eating and drinking in the city.

Suggested route:

1. The Golden Lion – small lively pub, keep an eye out for their gig listings!

2. The Flyer – spacious and comfy, with a decent bar selection too

3. The Gallimaufry – friendly lounge bar with excellent food and good live music

4. The Prince of Wales – traditional pub with a nice relaxed atmosphere

5. The Cat & Wheel – a strange one, worth visiting if only for bizarre karaoke on Sunday nights.

Full route: http://lifelessorganised.com/2013/09/30/pub-crawl-bristol-4-gloucester-road-and-bishopston/

North Street, Bedminster

A more residential area, but made more lively recently by an influx of top notch bars and restaurants.

Suggested route:

1. The Coronation – proper local pub, with Natch in cans!

2. The Steam Crane – big pub with board games and an impressive beer list

Today calls for a #cider in our #beergarden @Orchardpig #reveller pic.twitter.com/smdJtpRHW1

— The Steam Crane (@thesteamcrane) September 9, 2015

3. The Hare – a cute little pub which prides itself on its ale selection and little beer garden

But the fun's not over yet.. Beers have all arrived for our beer festival commencing tomorrow! #northstreet pic.twitter.com/QtZJ70FQbR

— The Hare (@TheHarePub) September 24, 2015

4. The Old Bookshop – weird and wonderful bar; the food is as impressive as the decor

"Skinny Cap Thief" painted by LONAC for @Upfest. Privileged to have this on our wall #urbanart #Upfest2015 pic.twitter.com/mkPif5IR9D

— The Old Bookshop (@theoldbookshop) July 28, 2015

5. The Spotted Cow – a good all-rounder; good drinks, great food and a huuuge garden

Love coming to the spotted cow for a @thatchers_cider gold and some food in the beer garden #spottedcow #bristol pic.twitter.com/eoC2QyS29O

— ben baker (@Shake_n_Bake_1) September 4, 2013

Full route: http://lifelessorganised.com/2014/05/06/pub-crawl-5-north-street-bedminster/

Next on my list of pub crawl routes to conquer are Totterdown and Clifton Village – wish me luck on my daring quest!