Old School (and maybe scary) - The Little Grosvenor, Bedminster

About as old school as you can get, and such an odd spot as its nestled right at the corner of the Asda car park.

Still, these are the kind of places you normally come out of with a good story, so its made the list.

House Music: The Elbow Rooms, Hill Street

Been itching to hear a bit of good old house music, and i'm not convinced this place will deliver,  but its worth a shot.  The flyers look a bit trendy, but will pop in. Assume its free. And I think Arthur Baker used to own these, or  certainly founded the chain. I think. Maybe.

The Windmill - Southville / Victoria Park

Just found this from a quick search, as I was running out of local barstotry, and this little fella popped up, which is a sister pub of the Lazy Dog (nothing to do with the club, I think), which hosts a lovely looking film club,  and thats as tenuous a link as I need.

Tonight I shall go.  (although on reflection, friday night is never a good night to get a feel for a place, but nether the less, its my duty ....)

Old School Boozers - Barley Mow, and The Apple Tree

The Barley Mow actually looks a bit dodge to be honest, and a quick google reveals some altercations recently, so maybe a day time pint is the best option here.

Just a few waddles down the road though, however, is this time warp gem - The Apple Tree.  Went past on a Thursday eve and there was about 3 drinkers in there, old skool leather jackets and the likes.

In the name of demographical research I shall have to try this one.

TOP PUB: The Golden Guinea - Guinea Street

Cycled past this earlier, and from the front looked quite promising. But having got back and checked the website it looks a great pub.  Downstairs function room, chillout sunday sessions, open mic, live bands and a small terrace out back

Cheese and Chutney baguettes for £3.75 as well

Think this has gone to the top of my 'try' list for the upcoming weekend

The Ostrich Pub - Harbourside

Just opposite the thelka boat, and occupying a great spot by the lock this looks like it might be summer favourite. As seems to be the norm here, I thought I could hear live music coming out.

Footy Pub - The White Hart, Lower Maudlin street

There is not a heap of pubs to watch the football in central Bristol,  but this looks like one of the best and away from the crowds.

The Ship Inn - Lower Park Row

Looks like a good winter warmer this one, with lots of wood, and nice old furniture. On a quiet street too, so unlikely to get crazy busy

Plastic Wax Records - Cheltenham road

Ok, not a cafe, or a bar, but a cracking looking 2nd hand record and CD shop.
Lots of CD's for a £1 as well.

It had just closed today, but I think thats got a Saturday afternoon written all over it,  followed by a few pints while admiring your purchases

The Bootlegger - Cheltenham Road

American themed cocktail bar, that actually looks pretty mellow, with a nice open front onto the street.  The music is USA inspired too. It lists blues, jazz, swing, bluegrass and northern soul, some of it live too.

Appear to have a few IPA's on draft too.   Game on.

The Totterdown Quartet ..

No, not a Jazz band but but a lovely little cluster of back street pubs I just found in Totterdown, which if you do them in this order, kind of, maybe puts them in a good order to do the, saving the best two till last.

The Star and Dove
Lots of people having dinner and laughing a lot, so maybe not a boozer as such, but it was Bonny night, and the display had just finished so it might be reclaimed by a different crowd normally. I shall check it out.  Nice, bright, and roomy though

The New Found Out
A good old fashioned 'potentially life threatening' appearance to this pub, as you could see past the net curtains to what seemed an overly lit pub, with not a care in the world.
Still, its in a nice spot, so can't be that bad, and defo worth a pint to establish the fear factor.

The Shakespeare
Another one that appears to have had a recent fruity reputation, but with all the local money ploughing into the area, i assume they have decided to clean up their act a little.

As I strolled past a woman rather confidently pushed her large bike and panniers right into the bar area, so either she thought it was LIDL, works there, or was gonna swap it for skag.
I won't know until I pop in I guess.

The Oxford

This looks the nicest of the bunch, and is conveniently located next to a take away Caribbean which has about 7 different meal options which will keep me going for a while

It has regular bands apparently, although I can only see two on the listings at the moment.

There was a drum kit in the corner though, which is a good sign for sure!! I have high hopes for this one

NB: All of the above pubs look far more attractive in the evening

The Golden Lion - Top end of the Gloucester Road

About as far as you'd wanna go by the looks of it, seems to be the end of the funky part of town here.

Almost moved into a place round the corner from here, which would have been class as they have live music every night, and its always free.

Actually looked like a normal pub too, and due to the hike from stokes croft wasn't full of nippers.

Be very rude indeed not to pop in. And the music range is all over the place, which is great

Brewdog - 58 Baldwin Street

Brewdog beers are amazing, and Punk IPA changed my view on beers for ever, but other breweries (including LIDL) are catching up now, and they have their work cut out.

I've tried Punk, and Dead Pony, and the 5am Jobby, and all are admirable, but I think im due a trip down to taste them all on draft.

Apparently they do a taster paddle, so that'll do

And an outside, thats almost on the rivers edge but not quite. Still, a great spot.

Three Brothers Burgers - Welsh Back (Harbourside)

Best advertisement for this place has to be the full seats as you pass by wondering when you can next assemble a tipsy group of friends with sufficient appetite to wolf down one of these juicy looking burgers. 

They look a little like the honest burgers with their glazed brioche, and have two choices for veggies, one of which actually sounds nice (for a burger joint).  Thats progress

Not sure if you can see the water from inside, which would be a shame, as its a great spot, and kind of reminds me of Amsterdam this little area

The Canteen - Stokes Croft. Textbook Bristol. Innit

Looks waaaaay too trendy for me this, but gonna have to give it a go. Free live music every night, and It always looks busy when i've gone past.  Lots of skinny jeans, so they'll probably think we avant garde in our crazy 'straight legs' - You saw it here first kids!

Baowow - Baldwin Street

Japanese place, next to Chilli Daddys which looks a little tidier, little pricier, and probably a little healthier.

At first glance the meals looked very dear, but then I saw a few pho/noodle type deals for £7 ish, and the bowls looked a good size, so might be worth a try

Oh Hello, H K Diner, no website?? That's promising, as far as Asian food goes (58 Park Street)

I've walked passed this 4 times and not noticed it, which bodes well. A proper Chinese/Malaysian restaurant should be as badly advertised as possible. Any attention spent to the livery outside means less attention goes on the food inside (ok, this is not true, but it could be??)

Nasi Lemak me mo fo.

Chilli Daddy - Baldwin Street

Pretty limited menu here, but very agreeable prices (£5-7),  and a BYO at £1 per beer, £2 per bottle of wine.

Love my spicy asian food, and until I find a good Nasi Lemak, I shall be hitting this place

While your at the market......... The Crown, and Seamus O'donnells

Too old and very cosy looking pubs, which I wonder may become a little too chocker at a weekend due to their central location. Looking at it, i'd say Seamus could handle the crowds better as it looks slightly bigger and has more room outside, and probably suits it more. 

Both on the list. 

Food @ St Nicks Market

Having walked through here a few times i'm dying to return with a ravenous  appetite, and looking at the wraps they have it better be a big one.

From what I can see they have a moorish place which is always busy, and the food looks lush, plus a Caribbean wrap, a Mediterranean, Pie Minster, and some South African places too. There is more, but I can't remember

There is a normal food market outside too where you can get over priced chutneys and the likes. Which on the right day, is a good thing, but not every day

Tasty stuff.

Plantation Bar - 221-223 Cheltenham Rd

Found this place while searching for a Caribbean themed place, and its got Friday night written all over it.  Good drinks, a rough and ready frontage, all the pictures look pretty raucous, and at a guess, i'd say the crowd know their music (check the gallery on the website). That's got to mean a good night yeah??

Bocobar - Paintworks

Already been in here for a Sunday daytime trip as the food festy was outside, and we where surprised to get a full set of leather couches to ourselves, which suggests this place doesn't get too crazy on a sunday.  The food all looked great, and we spotted a superb cake selection.

Decent, but maybe pricey set of ales on offer - Including Blue Moon, which is a nice one

Lots of live music and DJ's, and appears to be free. Will report back.

The Folk House (bar and cafe) - 40A Park St

This looks a lovely little cafe and bar, with high prices gigs (for Bristol), coming in at £6-10, however looking at the set up, I think you can dodge in for a drink without going into the live venue. We shall see.   Either way, i'm looking forward to it, and the guy on the website looks like the bloke who used to host folk rising in Camden. 

Mr Wolfes Noodle bar

Looks it may be a club kind of place this, as you have to pay Thursday - Saturday (3 quid), but they seem to have something on most nights, do noodles too, and has a ramshackle appearance which always bodes well. 

One for an early evening drink i reckon, and watch the crowds grow.

The Thali Cafe (various locations around Bristol)

These funky looking places have a great menu, and the serve a number of different Thalis which is usually a nice little pick and plate of various indian dishes.

You can also buy a Tiffin Tin from them (bit pricey at 27 quid), but this qualifies you for Tiffin refills ay £8.95.   Not the bargain of the century, but a neat idea

The Grain Barge (cliffton)

This looks very nice, away from the main harbour, so might have less crowds. Seems to be normal hours so not a late option, but is opposite the SS Great Britain and should look lovely in the evening. Food, live music, and occasional quizzes on offer too.