I love the confused look on my friends' faces when I take them to Hyde & Co. They have probably…read morenever heard of it, despite having walked only yards away from its front door many times. And when we get near, it's up a few stairs then down some more, ring the doorbell, be assessed by the dapper barman for suitability, and then be allowed into this terrific bar. That's when their faces turn from confusion to delight, as Hyde & Co feels like a secret bar that only you know about. You have to go there to believe it, and even then you barely believe that you are sitting in a bar so special and so different, but so near to the more traditional modern day nocturnal happenings of Bristol. Hyde & Co easily deserves five stars, but unfortunately when a group of friends and I came to leave the bar after celebrating my birthday last night, we were handed a bill with four expensive cocktails on that we had not ordered. Despite protestation, the barman would just not budge, and a stand-off ensued (quite apt in what has been described as a speakeasy). After what seemed like an interminable time, the £27 was finally dropped, but it left a bitter taste after what had previously been a typically wonderfully evening.

Set against the backdrop of Hyde & Co's faultless 1920's décor people are provided with the perfect…read moreenvironment and sublime cocktails of Bristol's new speakeasy. Hyde & Co is a beautiful bar that serves expertly made drinks and provides a truly wonderful and unique experience for anyone looking for more from their venues. The attention to detail is exquisite, from the authentic 1920s New York cocktails to the fixtures and fittings. The staff are lovely and welcoming, which is a real treat on a Friday night. We actually met new and interesting people as well as having some fantastic conversations with the large group we arrived with.

The first pub you get to from the bear pit going to Stokes Croft. This looks generally like a good…read morepub for groups of people (which it is) but it has a surprising secret in also having great food and well-looked after beer. Their food is organic and very tasty. They aren't mean on their portion size either. They have six beers on at a time, often Gem, Doom Bar and Deuchers IPA and last time I went they had Golden Hare and Butcombe. They have a full bar, interestingly some vegan wine, and live jazz on a Monday (8-10pm) which means they get a mixed crowd of friendly crusties, backpackers staying upstairs and those who like food and beer which is not a bad thing. Vibe is always friendly and chatty. I have felt comfortable here as a couple and with a group of about 20 of us trying to organise a new year party whilst eating lunch and having a beer - the staff handled our comings and goings with ease. Pub is open til 11-ish (12-ish on the weekends) and they have the next door Attic Bar for later nights.

The Full Moon's rising over Stoke's Croft - a backpacker hotel, a bar, a club, a party venue, and a…read moredamned fine attempt at a gastro-menu - this place has got it all. For banging tunes - hot new DJs in the Attic Bar - fluro lights and fancy cocktails. For chilled largers and perfectly cooked organic steaks head for the Full Moon pub on the opposite side of the courtyard. Fancy a kip in a comfy (if basic) room for less than forty quid a night? Head upstairs to the hostel. To top it all - they play host to the Bristol festival, Drum 'n' Bass nights and great gigs - officially the hottest venue in the 'up and coming' Stokes Croft area right now, and deservedly so, methinks.

So after visiting Tinto Lounge on Gloucester Rd. we were ok visiting the original place in North…read moreSt. But what a let down. Coming here on a Thursday mid afternoon we experienced the SLOWEST kitchen in all of Bristol. The burger was ok but the fries were not great; the tapas looked pretty burnt up to me; and my appetizing sounding lasagne was served on a plate swimming in liquid cheesy sauce. Despite the poor presentation and long wait to eat we carried on with or late lunch. Only when we were told there were no boxes or foil to wrap up food to take away did we realize this place was poorly run and had to complain. After talking with the manager some money was refunded. Was it the time of day or the staff in general that makes this place come off like the management are focused elsewhere? The limited number of power sockets could be a good thing, but for mobile office folks there are more convenient places to settle in. Summary: C-grade, could do better.

Lounge is the kind of place that looks and feels as though it's always been here. It's a seasoned…read moreprotagonist of the North Street rear guard that paved the way for the regeneration of the area, showing that it was possible for more upmarket establishments to thrive in this formerly dilapidated and neglected district. Having weathered the gentrification of the area it has proven to have lasting appeal in an increasingly faddy world. Even the recession doesn't appear to be putting too much of a dent in their popularity. Minor modifications keep things fresh, Tapas is now responsible for much of the food sales, where a few years ago it was bistro fare, and since the smoking ban, the back yard has been converted into a small enclosed garden. Lounge is the first in a long line of Lounges that have been replicated throughout the city, and more lately have gone national. New branches have recently opened in Reading and Plymouth. It is the only one of the Lounges that offers a private garden as well as outside seating along the pavement in front of the establishment.

Since I moved to Totterdown, a lot of pubs and bars in the area have been renovated, but still none…read moreof them are good enough to match the original and best. The Shakey is very much a local pub with a friendly, lively atmosphere. This is mainly due to their love of music, as local DJs play an eclectic (and loud!) mix of alternative sounds on weekends (there's a legendary music quiz on Wednesdays too). If this all gets too much, you can always retire to the garden and there's seating out the front too, which is handy as this pub always seems to be busy. A little rough around the edges maybe, but us faithful locals wouldn't have it any other way.

"This is a local shop for local people! The strangers you would bring would not understand us, our…read morecustoms, our local ways". It might be a local pub for local people but the Shakey is a wonderful "proper" pub. It hasn't dollied itself up like some of the other pubs in the area and retains an old-fashioned pub feel. The success of the Shakey is thanks to the fantastic landlord Warwick, a down to earth chap with a love of music. The Shakey has open-mic nights, music quiz nights, dj nights, live music nights and even a poker night! It has a great beer garden and fairy lights strung up around and has a romantic feeling to it on a warm summers eve, possibly due to the ale influenced spectacles I was wearing. A fantastic pub without a bone of pretension in its body. As real pubs go its the "proper job".

We've been here multiple times and I recommend making a reservation as they get booked up quickly,…read moreespecially for Sunday roast. The food is really good. Definitely one of the best local pubs. My family all love the cheese soufflé and order it any time they're visiting. They also have a separate chalet style building behind the main pub that serves really good pizzas. It's a really nice atmosphere, with a large fireplace in the middle and rugs over the seats. They often have live music there too. I've had issues a couple of times with dogs off the lead approaching my dog which is a bit annoying when you're trying to eat but otherwise it's good.

great service and lovely food, highly recommendedread more

A lovely local pub with a large beer garden, good service and friendly staff. I've not eaten there…read morerecently but had a Christmas do there several years ago and it was really good and the favours were a decorative touch and included tasty sugared almonds.

After bookmarking this pub at Christmas I finally managed to visit this summer. We didn't sit in…read morethe fabulous beer garden and instead ate our Sunday roast lunch indoors. The decor is tasteful with muted colors and some wallpaper with classic wooden furniture. The plates of roast were well-balanced, but on the smaller side. My pork came with 2 roast spuds, green and red cabbage, corquette, mashed swede, Yorkshire pudding and gravy. If you don't like apple sauce tell them as it comes already plated. Our plates barely had any gravy on, but a small gravy boat was brought on request as were the horseradish and mint sauce.

This pub is one of a dying breed, a proper "boozer" with friendly engaging staff and a fabulous…read moreatmosphere Fine range of draft beers and ciders, full range of snacks, even cheesy moments! Warm and friendly, always enjoy a pint in here

The Shakespeare Tavern is a proper boozer just off the centre of Bristol and just at the back of…read morethe waterfront. It couldn't be much more different to the other pubs/bars that it's close to. You can tell from the outside exactly what it'll be like inside; a traditional English, old mans pub. It is actually a really refreshing pub to go and hide away from the horribleness of the waterfront on a Friday or Saturday night. I went on Saturday night for the first time in well over a year. I'd been drinking wine with a meal before hand, so deiced to stick to that; £8 a bottle! Boom! Drinks wise you'll find your bog standard draught lagers, ciders and ales and the usual top shelf suspects. Nothing out of the ordinary here. Apart from a few of the punters - eeeek! Don't make eye contact! If they have eyes, that is! With pub going out of business left right and centre, I can't see this one any time soon. It's serves it's purpose well!

A perfect place for a pre gig drink if you are heading to the Thekla or the Louisiana. The…read moreShakespeare is set up some steps by the floating bridge so grab a window seat and it is a great place to watch the world go by. It's quite a small pub but for some baffling reason, despite it always seeming busy, I have never struggled to get a seat in here. As with most Bristol pubs they serve good local ciders but the best bit is the food. Pieminister, mash, peas and gravy is a must on a cold winter or autumnal day. And if that day is a Wednesday you get a free drink with said meal! Bargain. This is one of those pubs which makes you feel warm and lovely inside when the nights are cold, dark and long, less so in the summer but still well worth a pre-gig visit.