The Blue Lagoon Cafe &amp; Bar

The Vittoria can be found along the stretch of trendy-looking bars on Whiteladies Road, but it's…read morenot quite like the others. The pub is popular with the locals, features guest ales and is pretty small so draws a completely different crowd to the others here. If you're a rugby fan, visit this pub as they show rugby before football and if you just want a decent pint and none of the trashy dance music you'll get with other bars in this area, The Vittoria is a great place to come out.

One of the oft-titled 'trendy' Whiteladies' Road's few traditional pubs, the Vittoria has recently…read morerepainted its facade from an unassuming burgundy to bright red. Before you accuse a drinking stalwart of trying too hard to keep up with the times, the colour change luckily hasn't affected the atmosphere within. The Vittoria remains as unpretentious, laid-back and characterful as it was was before. There's a wide selection of drinks, a faithful crowd of regulars and entertainment most nights of the week ranging from a quiz (with free curry doled out while the answers are checked) to steak or sausage tasting nights. Undoubtedly ne of the best places on Whiteladies for a quiet (especially weeknight) drink.

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Happy Hour 4-10pm

The Penny

4.1(11 reviews)

There's loads (I'd say too many) bars the part of Whiteladies road where this pub is. The sort of…read moreplaces you drink standing up and have to shout to get yourself heard. It's a relief, then, to find the Penny Farthing which resolutely is not one of these bars. It's not massively attractive from the outside, the sign in particular looking tired. Things get a bit better on entry. The long bar sweeps through the room elegantly, bringing up the character of the place. Although it could easily be dark and dingy, given the shape the room, they've lit it up well and succeeded in making it feel cosy. A good place to sit out a cold evening. They've made an effort with the selection of beers on offer. Prices hover around three pounds for a pint, which is a bit steep but fair considering what they're offering and the surroundings. Probably in virtue of not being like the rest of the drinking establishments along the road, this place doesn't get too many students (make what you want of that comment - personally I like a place with a studenty feel, but others disagree strongly). The Penny Farthing is a likeable pub and a welcome contrast to its neighbours.

This is a proper pub, one for watching the rugby and drinking a warm pint of Guinness in, ideal. It…read moredoes have a great little seating area outside, perfectly positioned on Whiteladies road, so you can sit and people watch, smoke, and laugh at anyone who isn't sat outside a pub doing those things. But don't expect any natural light inside. This is a traditional pub, with local regulars and lovely bar staff. They do a Sunday roast, but I really would advise against it, there are much better options nearby. But defiantly come here with a group of mates, sit around one of the high old oak tables, grab a pint (well one for each of you) and soak up the atmosphere. The Farthing is the only pub left in a sea of Tea Rooms and Falafel shops (or hippy nonsense as my unenlightened friends would say). Literally it's hilarious; it looks so out of place sat there by the road amongst the plethora of glass fronted, double glazed, chain restaurants and hair dressers. Let's just hope it stays there!

Penny Farthing Bristol

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The Cowshed

3.9(29 reviews)

•£££

As a vegetarian, whenever anybody suggests a meal in a steak joint a rush of panic floods over me…read more What will I eat? What if I'm left with a salad!? (I may be a veggie but it doesn't mean I love lettuce leaves!) So when my friends planned Sunday lunch in The Cowshed I sighed a heavy sigh. But I had nothing to fear - with two vegetarian options on the lunch time menu, at least I had something to choose from (Albeit a standard veggie burger or a goats cheese tart - two 'classics') and since this was a restaurant for meat eaters I could hardly complain! My burger was delicious, served with tasty chunky chips and washed down with hearty cider. My friend's roast dinners looked fabulous too. The service was very welcoming and the atmosphere was just what you want on a Sunday - full of fun and laughter.

I don't know about you but I'm always a little amused when a carnivorous restaurant advertises…read moreusing a smiling pig or cow. While The Cowshed's poster mammal isn't smiling it still tickles me so I agreed to dinner here with my steak loving other half. The focus here is all about good old-fashioned British dishes, particularly steak and it's many guises. My partner ordered a steak cooked on a hot stone tablet right in front of him - similar to the way you can get hot plates in Indian restaurants, except this actually allowed him to partially cook the steak himself. As an occasional vegetarian there wasn't a great amount of choice for me to pick a main course but the starters and desserts were divine! It is quite pricey but I would come back for the chocolate mouse alone and my partner can whole-heartedly vote for the sirloin steak!

Ground Floor

Ground floor

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Food

Steam Bristol

1.0(1 review)

Unfortunately, after hearing amazing things about Steam, I went to your establishment but left…read moreextremely dissapointed. as a 42 year old woman, I was flattered at the idea of being id'ed, however being refused a drink and then banished from the pub whilst the rest of my work friends were allowed to stay was incredibly harsh. I don't know whether it was the bitterness of your borderline dwarf barmaid, or my incredible looks, but this whole situation was quite bizarre and I was left vexed at the fact that I had to make all of my work friends down their drinks and leave. I'm sure you thought this was good business - however, I hope you lie awake at night knowing you've lost 10+ rich and valuable customers.

The lounge st Steam,nice space

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Brewhouse & Kitchen

4.5(2 reviews)

0.8 mi

Brew house and Kitchen is a popular spot in the Clifton Downs area not far from Bristol Uni…read more Brewhouse boasts a decent menu and a wide variety of drinks. Though a modern pub in atmosphere, it nonetheless served a varied clientele as any good British pub would. From older locals to Uni students and more. I debated the steak and stout pie versus the Mac and cheese but ultimately the Mac won out when I added bacon. It was pretty good, creamy and rich while the bacon added some welcome savory and crisp. The included garlic bread was nice but I kind of wish I'd tried the halloumi fries too. Decent price and service, an inviting atmosphere with good food to ensure I'll definitely come back and to try the pie next time.

Very nice meal and good times at this casual brewhouse in Bristol/Clifton. Four of us with…read moredifferent selections everyone happy. Great burger and fries, fish and chips, good size rack of ribs and a salad for the 4th member of our group. Everyone was happy. And of course, the fine selection of craft beers, ales and ciders. Matt (and Joe) took good care of us. We will be back for sure!

Bar area

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It's all about good beer

Alma Tavern

3.0(9 reviews)

1.1 mi

The Alma Tavern is a large, slightly non-descript pub which sits, funnily enough, on Alma Vale Road…read morein Clifton. The front bar is possibly the best spot, as you can watch the footie on Sky Sports in a smaller area with a little more atmosphere. The back room is a little too big and lacking in character, though they do have a big screen. There's plenty of pub grub options, a garden and even a theatre upstairs (which I'm slightly surprised to realise I've never been to), but despite all this, there's not much here to really fire the imagination.

Located on Alma Vale rd Clifton. The Alma Tavern is a gastropub with a Theatre located above. Its a…read morevery welcoming pub with a pleasant decor. They have decent drinks selection and the choice of wine was excellent. Food wise. I had the Scallops to start which were excellent served with a sweet onion chutney and cavier "oh la la". The combined tastes were lovely. The roast beef was well cooked and served with an overcooked dry yorkshire and cold vegetables. Basically everything following the starter was just not good enough ! And I belive that this was down to the shoddy service we recieved ! It was like they couldnt cope with our order. We were a group of 8 plus 2 kids. The rest of the restaurant was empty. Which I suppose says it all really. I opted for the cheese board to finish which was good! But I suppose its quite hard to f*ck up chucking some cheese on a board. And even that took about a half hour to bring out. And one last thing I dont mind paying a compulsary service charge when ive received good service. But when ive received substandard service it gets on my tits a little ! I shall not be returning here in a hurry !

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Highbury Vaults

4.2(33 reviews)

0.8 mi

After a long, cold, wet day of walking the center of Bristol, I was in the hunt for a hearty, hot…read moremeal. I stopped in to the pub Highbury Vaults which boasted a surprising menu that included my favorite food, nachos. I ordered a drink and sat in the outdoor heated patio awaiting the order. The pub was exactly as you'd expect inside, stuffy and tight with a welcome mix of white haired older men mumbling and gripping to each other over a pint, Bristol Uni students laughing raucously, and gatherings of post grads deep in discussion with their advisers. True everyman pub fashion. The bowl of nachos was good! The slow braised beef was tender and flavorful, the salsa, sour cream, and cheese sauce all mixed well with the sturdy chips. And the portion was perfect for dinner. My only request would have been a separate bowl of chips so that an optimal ratio of toppings could have been achieved. Decent price, quick service, and charming atmosphere coming with good food to ensure if definitely come back and maybe try the pie next time.

The default drinking hole for students from the university, the Vaults are rather grotty, rather…read moredark and loud, but rather fun. I've never quite understood why it's so dark inside; perhaps it's to accommodate the flinching hangovers of students hiding out here after lectures. It's quite cramped and uncomfortable inside, but has the most brilliant covered back garden which more than makes up for the dingy interior. With loads of comfortable seating, it's a really great place for drinking outside in the warmer months. Large groups of students do tend to assemble out here for smokes and loud chats of the "oh my God, I was so drunk last night" variety, so steer clear if you don't like that kind of thing. On offer at the bar are some very cheap sandwiches which are friendly to the student wallet. All in all, it's pandering to the student clientele, but that's not surprising, and doesn't seem to have put off the older locals who still come here for a cheap pint in what is essentially a traditional pub.

At about 10 one of the bar staff came round selling freshly made sausage rolls for £1.50 each - it was perfect!

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Bowl of nachos showing meat, salsa, sour cream, and chips.

Coach & Horses

3.7(10 reviews)

1.0 mi

We squeezed in here just before they rang time after a Christmas meal. They were welcoming, even at…read morethat late hour, and despite serving a rather warm glass of orange juice (how does OJ even get warm in December?) It's small inside and the locals are very local - in that they look as though they would fight for their pub if they needed to (wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing I suppose). It is unremarkable and so like every other pub, but atleast it isn't a soulless trendy wine bar (as so many place on nearby Whiteladies road seem to be). The front garden is packed with tables and all very well if you're a smoker or it's summer (or both). The beer and larger, including locally brewed Cheddar Gorge Best - a fave with my ale drinking buddies.

The trendy bars of Whiteladies can be a bit underwhelming at times (not least because they're not…read moreall that trendy) and the Coach and Horses is a welcome contrast to them. It doesn't try to be anything in particular and because of that is more or less your average traditional pub. Don't let the grand building in which it's housed in lead you to think this place is particularly posh - whilst is in Clifton everything here is plenty down to earth. There's sports shown sometimes but it's certainly not a sports put, too sedate and localish for that. The staff are friendly enough without being too obsequious. The lack of any strong character means you get a nice mix of students and locals that rub along together well. Range and price are all right, with the usual pub grub on offer. Well placed for a post stroll round the downs pint.

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Kings Head

4.8(8 reviews)

1.4 mi

•£

Lovely pub appears small but superb with excellent real ales. Love the team shed inner bar seating…read morearea with friendly service. Want to visit again

It may be small, but don't be fooled - this teeny tiny pub on Victoria Street is easily the best…read morepub in Bristol. Situated outside of the hustle and bustle of the city centre, the kind of crowd you'll find here is the one that loves a descent pint of beer and an evening spent with friends. It can be quite difficult to get a seat here, so it's not a great place to take someone who hates standing with a drink. The King's Head will give you a little slice of history and take you back to a time when not every pub was a chain, and when reasonable prices weren't a rarity.

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The King's Arms

3.8(12 reviews)

1.0 mi

A 'pubby' pub with style and class. My favourite of its kind on Whiteladies Road…read more The King's Arms has everything you need; tea and cake in the day, boozy treats from ales to cocktails, pub grub and tapas, and very stylish but relaxed decor and artwork around the place - topped off with a spiral staircase! All ages are welcome (within the law) and the owner's dogs are often wandering around. I don't particularly like dogs but they don't cause any offence! They play some of the big sports games on a projector but I wouldn't say it was a particularly sporty pub. You can also hire some of it out for private parties. And as if that wasn't enough amazingness - there's an absolute peach of a sun-trapping roof terrace out the back that feels a bit like you're on holiday!

It's surprisingly hard to find a decent place to drink on Whiteladies Road so I'm eternally…read moregrateful to The King's Arms. This friendly, welcoming gastropub serves tasty dishes and a wide range of wines, ales and spirits. The crowd ranges from older couples to groups of friends - so it's the sort of place which is great any time of day, for any type of person. A reliably fun drinking hole for locals to Clifton Village.