Pub crawling in the centre

A pub, formally public house, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain. In many places, especially in villages, pubs can be the local point of the community.

With the intent to immerse ourselves in the culture of Britain, we did pub crawling in 7 pubs we have never been to (except for one). In every bar, I literally ordered half a pint of "the cheapest beer/ale they had" and I received many different beer suggestions of a wide variety, quality and prices. I hope you find it useful!

1. The Bank Tavern (BS1 2HR)
We started the route in the small but very traditional pub in  John Street. There were many people, mostly young, singing and dancing on the tables. Very good atmosphere! The waiter served me a Glastonbury Ale "Black as yer' at" for £1.70. The beer was very good, smooth and dark "as black". There is a very funny clock on the wall which moves anticlockwise!

www.banktavern.com/

2. The White Lion (BS1 1EB) 
This is the pub I have seen many times when I go to the centre but never had a chance to stop to get a beer here. Although it claims to be the smallest pub in Bristol, we were lucky enough to find a free table. The waitress served me a BOB for £1.70. It was a very smooth beer, golden colour; I liked it. The atmosphere was not young at all: the average age of people at the bar was approximately 60 years old, old-fashioned music which stopped very often. Perfect if you want a quiet place.

3. Seamus O'donnell (BS1 1UE)
This is the first Irish style bar we have been to. It is a biggish bar but it was not even half full. TVs were on and music was also on. The average age at the bar was around 40-50 years old. This time, I got half a pint of "Sods Ale" for £1.75, a very nice dark gold ale.

www.seamusodonnellsbristol.co.uk/

4. Molloy's (BS1 1SE)
As far as I am concerned, this bar was somehow disappointing. We thought we were going to traditional Irish pub because from the outside, it looks like it. However, it is more like a club for oldish people. Very big bar with different areas, crowded, mostly with 40 year-old people trying to flirt with youngsters. Commercial music, kind of loud. At 10.30pm, a live music band started playing. I got the most expensive half a pint of our pub-crawl in here: £2.75 for a half a pint of IPA beer. 

http://www.molloysbristol.co.uk/

5. King William Ale House (BS1 4EF)
We were really looking forward to having a beer in this ale house but arrived quite late to the place and the stopped serving drinks at around 11pm. So instead, we went to the pub next door, which happened to be an amazing discovery!

6. The Famous Royal Navy Volunteer (BS1 4EF) 
As said before, the best discovery of the night. It is a very nice and big pub which has a restaurant on one of the wings. It mixes modern style with a traditional pub. There was live music, a very good band playing good songs. The waiter offered Arbor Motelka, which cost £2 for half a pint. My friends highlighed the "barrels" in men's toilets. You should check them out! :)

http://www.navyvolunteer.co.uk/

7. Old Duke (BS1 4ER) 
This is the only pub we have visited before. In Summer, it is the perfect spot to have a fresh beer in the terrace. The whole street, Kings Street, is full of historic buildings. The Old Duke is located in a public house from the 1780s. There are jazz and blues concerts every night. We arrived quite late and the band just finished playing at 11.45pm. The waitress misunderstood what I said and served me a pint of Courage beer instead of half a pint. It was £3.50. 

http://www.theoldduke.co.uk/

8. Llandoger Trow (BS1 4ER) was originally a merchants' house from the 1664. It was already closed by the time we went there. Next time!

9. Hatchet Inn (BS1 5NA) is an historic public house located in Frogmore Street. It is nowadays  a young student bar which is strategically located next to the O2 Academy. The cheapest beer is Moretti and it costs £1.95 for a very bad beer. However, the decoration of the place is very nice, it has a big terrace.