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ASSEMBLY INN
16–17 Alfred St, Lansdown Rd, BA1 2QU Tel: 01225 333639, web: www.abbeyales.co.uk
• Excellent Abbey Ales pub serving high-quality real ales (including Abbey’s flagship brews) alongside continental lagers and well-chosen wines. Food is upper-crust, wallet-friendly, homecooked pub-grub: burgers, sausage & mash, fish & chips, with and scrumptious sausage rolls on the bar snacks menu. Open Regular pub hours Food Mon-Fri 12noon-3pm, Sat-Sun 12noon-5pm
BARLEY MOW
32 Bathwick St, BA2 6NZ Tel: 01225 464845
• Smart little boozer serving homecooked pub grub favourites on comfortable sofas around a real fire, in the lovely little separate dining area out back or on a dinky little alfresco patio to the rear. Open Regular pub hours Food Daily 12noon-2.30pm & 6-9pm
BEAR
6-10 Wellsway, BA2 3AQ Tel: 01225 425795, web: http://www.bearbath.co.uk/
• Upmarket, contemporary neighbourhood pub serving inspired, cheffy pub grub from soup, fish & chips and burgers to goose rillette, posh curries and sea bass with black linguine and beurre blanc crayfish sauce in chillaxed surroundings. Coffee and cake from 10am, with lunch, afternoon tea, supper and dinner as the day rolls along. Sat brunch (10am-2.30pm) is almost as popular as Sun lunch (12noon-3pm), and the recent introduction of Nathan (‘the passionate barista’) Squirrell to the Bear pit has added a whole new dimension. Regular themed evenings (French, Polish, etc) and a thoughtful range of events (see website) keep things lively. Covered patio to the rear is an oasis away from the busy main road. Free Wi-Fi, a spiffing bar selection and plenty to keep kids occupied (including their own menu). Open Regular pub hours Food 12noon-2.30pm & 6pm-9pm
BEAU NASH
23 Milsom St, BA1 1DE Tel: 01225 310772
• Spacious, bustling city inn popular with shoppers, pre-club revellers and sports fans attracted by huge plasma screens. Food is wallet-friendly/’superdeal’ doorstep-sandwiches and steak/pie/fish with chips, and all portions go large, including the almost impossibly macho Sun roasts. Open Daily 12noon-11pm Food Mon-Thur 12noon-9pm, Fri-Sun 12noon-8pm
BLATHWAYT
Lansdown, BA1 9BT Tel: 01225 421995, web: www.theblathwayt-bath.co.uk
• Gert big family-oriented boozer (and hotel) next to Bath Racecourse. Food served in the conservatory, on the covered alfresco terrace or in the slightly more formal dining room. Menus run the full classic, family-friendly pub-grub gamut, from lunchtime sandwiches, salads, jacket spuds and traditional British classics to Thai fishcakes, Quorn lasagne and interesting curry combos. Puds go large, Sun lunches are reliably good, and kids get their own menu. Open Regular pub hours Food Daily 12noon-2.30pm, dinner 6-9.30pm. All day menu Fri-Sat
BOATER
Argyle St, BA2 4BQ Tel: 01225 464211
• Revamped 18th century pub by the weir, with a large alfresco area making the most of ‘that’ view. Sturdy menu of hearty, filling, homemade favourites and classics, including a superb Sun roast. Atmosphere is always lively, and it gets rammed on rugby days. Open Regular pub hours Food Daily 12noon-3pm, occasional eves (call in adv)
CHEQUERS
50 Rivers St, BA1 2QA Tel: 01225 360017, web: http://www.thechequersbar.com/
• Smart little gastropub flourishing under the illustrious ownership of Joe Cussens and Justin Sleath, head honchos of the award-winning Marlborough Tavern up the road. Menus at the chunkily furnished street-level bar are dominated by the gastropub classics that earned the MT its glowing reputation (real burgers, proper fish & chips, well-dressed salads, great steaks), while a subtly elegant, airy but intimate first-floor dining room provides a well-dressed playground in which head chef Leigh Evans can flaunt his indisputable gastro-prowess. Highly recommended. Food Mon-Fri 12noon-2pm (last orders) & 6.30-9.30pm (last orders, Sat till 10pm), Sun 12noon-5pm (last orders)
COEUR DE LION
17 Northumberland Place (off High St), BA1 5AR Tel: 01225 463568, web: http://www.coeur-de-lion.co.uk/
• Part of the Abbey Ales mini-empire and officially Bath’s smallest pub, the Coeur doesn’t have to leap on the gastropub bandwagon to secure local legend status. Daytime-only menus push all the right pub-grub buttons (sturdy sarnies, full-on roast dinners, homemade pies, sausage & mash), with the kind of sourcing details that most other pubs make a stomach-churning screech about: Bath Bakery bread, Bath Soft Cheese Company cheese, Bartlett’s meat, Sausage Shop bangers. The ploughman’s and fish & chips come highly recommended. Open Regular pub hours Food Daily 12noon-5pm
CORK
11-12 Westgate Buildings, BA1 1EB Tel: 01225 330470, web: http://www.thecork.co.uk/
• Crowd-pleasing city-centre pub combining traditional Brit-pub elements (pool tables, big-screen sports, theme nights) with a refreshing update in the form of a swanky downstairs bar (The Vaults) and spacious covered, heated alfresco patio to the rear. A lively mix of contemporary and traditional fare (including generously filled doorstep sandwiches, daily 12noon-6pm) uses fresh, largely locally sourced, seasonal produce to create exceedingly wallet-friendly grub, including excellent Sun roasts and sociable sharing platters. Open Mon-Wed 12noon-12midnight, Thur-Sat 12noon-1am, Sun 12noon-11pm Food Daily 12noon-9.30pm
CRYSTAL PALACE
Abbey Green, BA1 1NW Tel: 01225 482666, web: http://www.crystalpalacepub.co.uk/
• Big city-centre pub/restaurant on a pretty cobbled courtyard, with a covered, heated garden out back. Popular with office workers and tourists alike. Food ranges from sturdy sandwiches and filled jacket spuds to Somerset pork braised in cider, chickpea tagine, harissa lamb kebabs and superb fish & chips. Open Regular pub hours Food Mon-Sat 12noon-9pm, Sun 12noon-3pm
DOLPHIN
Locksbrook Rd, Lower Weston, BA1 3EN Tel: 01225 445048, web: http://www.dolphininn.org.uk/
• Located in an easily accessible but picturesque setting just beyond the towpath that runs alongside the Avon. Beer garden (with a well-equipped, safe play area for kids, and a welcome haven for smokers) makes the most of its ‘Tales from the Riverbank’ location. Real ales and big portions of hearty pub grub (lasagne, steak & ale pie, fish & chips), Sun carvery, and live music at weekends. Open Daily 11.30am-11pm (Fri-Sat 12midnight) Food Mon-Thur 12noon-2.30pm & 6-9pm, Fri-Sun 12noon-9pm
FAIRFIELD ARMS
1 Fairfield Park Rd, BA1 6JN Tel: 01225 445553, web: http://www.fairfieldarms.com/
• Unique blend of spruced-up, traditional boozer (with beer garden and open fires) and Haldi Tandoori Indian Restaurant and takeaway. Authentic Indian classics abound, or enjoy a pint and a couple of bhajis at the bar. Open Regular pub hours Food Daily 12noon-2.30pm & 6-11.30pm
GARRICK’S HEAD
St Johns Place, BA1 1ET Tel: 01225 318368, web: http://www.garricksheadpub.com/
• Classy but classless gastropub, highly acclaimed by this year’s Good Food Guide. Pavement tables on traffic-free lane outside, metro-rustic sensibilities and urbane, urban chic within. Food is locally sourced, daily changing, top-notch and chef-led. Bar menu features sturdy sandwiches, excellent fish & chips and homemade burgers. ALC currently features Somerset cider-steamed mussels, pan-fried lamb’s liver with Sandridge Farm dry-cured bacon and green sauce, and summer pudding jelly with Ivy Farm cream. Pre-theatre menu (2 £15.95, 3 £18.95, 5.30-7pm) is always popular, and Sun lunches (2 £15.95) are spectacular, as is the wine list. Open Mon-Wed 11am-11pm, Thur-Sat 11am-12midnight, Sun 12noon-10.30pm Food Mon-Sun 12noon-3pm & 5.30-10pm (Sun 9pm)
GASCOYNE PLACE
Sawclose, BA1 1EY Tel: 01225 445854, web: http://www.gascoyneplace.co.uk/
• Tasteful, easygoing cafe-bar/restaurant hybrid with buzzing lounge, serving seasonal modern British delights. See Restaurants, English.
GEORGE INN
Mill Lane, Bathampton, BA2 6TR Tel: 01225 425079
• Cask Marque-awarded Chef & Brewer inn. Big crowd-pleasing menu ranges from traditional, well-sourced British classics (including a Sunday roast) and regular fresh fish specials to easygoing contemporary favourites with Mediterranean flavours. In summer, the grassy canalside gardens come into their own. Open Regular pub hours Food Mon-Sat 11am-10pm, Sun 11am-9pm
GREEN PARK TAVERN
Lower Bristol Rd, Twerton, BA2 3BD Tel: 01225 400050
• Spacious, multi-ambient pub, popular with students and friendly locals who can’t get enough of the GPT’s reasonably priced, robust food and covered beer garden. Splendid Sun roast incorporates free-range meat and excellent vegetarian options. Open Sun-Thur 11am-12midnight, Fri-Sat 11am–2am Food 12noon-9pm
GRIFFIN INN
Beauford Square, BA1 2AP Tel: 01225 420919, web: http://www.griffinbath.co.uk/
• A scrubbed-up paean to contempo-pub sensibilities, complete with chunky wooden fixtures and fittings, intelligently well-stocked bar and boutique hotel accommodation upstairs. An excellent full English breakfast (including veggie options) gives way to ploughman’s and sturdy sandwiches on weekday lunchtimes, and a more substantial selection (homemade burgers, fishcakes, sausage & mash) at weekends. All meat and poultry is free-range and/or organic, and most produce locally sourced. Open Regular pub hours Food Breakfast 8am-11am, lunch 12noon-3pm
HARE & HOUNDS
Lansdown Rd, BA1 5TJ Tel: 01225 482682, web: http://www.harehoundsbath.co.uk/
• Imposing 18th-century alehouse with huge picture windows, large split-level beer garden (with pretty, covered, fairylit area) and swoonsome views across the surrounding countryside. Menus major on scampi, gammon, burger, carvery and surf’n’turf sensibilities - a trip back to pre-gastropub revolution days - and prices are similarly nostalgic, especially when there’s a deal on (currently two meals £10 all day Mon-Sat; half-price steak night Mon; all puds £1.50 Tue; curry & a drink £5.75 Wed; free bottle of wine with two main courses Fri). Sun carvery £8.25. Open Regular pub hours Food Mon-Sat 11am-3pm & 6-10pm, Sun 12noon-8pm
HOP POLE
7 Albion Buildings, Upper Bristol Rd, BA1 3AR Tel: 01225 446327, web: http://www.bathales.com/
• As you’d expect from a Bath Ales brewery, they pull an excellent pint, and the restaurant’s locally sourced, imaginative fare-with-flair has earned them a glowing reputation for well-priced gastropub. Spectacularly lovely garden out back, and brunch goes large. Highly recommended. Open Regular pub hours Food Mon-Fri 12noon-3pm & 6-9pm (Fri 9.30pm), Sat 10am-9.30pm, Sun 10am-4pm
KING OF WESSEX
James St West, BA1 2BX Tel: 01225 303380, web: http://www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk/
• Part of the huge Wetherspoon chain, in the heart of Bath’s multi-use Kingsmead leisure complex. Wallet-friendly, crowd-pleasing grub keeps the many punters who frequent this busy, bustling boozer very merry indeed. Loud, proud food/beer promos proliferate, but sourcing hasn’t been overlooked in the scrum. Open Daily 9am–11.30pm (11pm Sun) Food Daily 9am-9pm
KING WILLIAM
36 Thomas St (off London Rd), BA1 5NN Tel: 01225 428096, web: http://www.kingwilliampub.com/
• Top-notch, award-winning, highly acclaimed gastro grub in a charmingly eclectic environment that belies the prosaic, main road location. Daily changing menus are based around local, seasonal produce, all meat and poultry is free-range or organic, and seafood delivered daily from Cornwall. Private dining for up to 25. Open Regular pub hours Food Wed-Sun 12noon-3pm, Mon-Sun 6-10pm
MARLBOROUGH TAVERN
35 Marlborough Buildings, BA1 2LY Tel: 01225 423731, web: http://www.marlborough-tavern.com/
• Despite being holding multiple awards (including two well-deserved AA rosettes) and a host of accolades from critics, food guides and Michelin men alike, the MT is most definitely not a posh destination diner; most regulars treat it as a friendly local that serves fab food to be enjoyed wherever you can grab a place to sit and tuck in - faultless modern British food with plenty of twists on classic themes, created with perfect-pedigree ingredients. Lovely walled garden out back. Open Mon-Thur & Sun 12noon-11pm, Fri-Sat 12noon-1am Food Mon-Sat 12.30-2.30pm & 6-9.30pm, Sun 12.30-4pm
OLD GREEN TREE
12 Green St, BA1 2JZ Tel: 01225 448259
• Beams, oak panelling, original fireplaces, ancient wooden floors, six real ales (from microbreweries within a 70-mile radius) and everything from doorstep sarnies to smoked duck and poached apple salad, all freshly prepared on the premises. Small but perfectly formed, and well worth squeezing yourself into, even on busy days. The Good Pub Guide loves it too. Open Regular pub hours Food Mon-Sat 12noon-3pm
ONE BEAUFORT
1 Beaufort West, Bath, BA1 6QB Tel: 01225 334050, web: http://www.onebeaufort.co.uk/
• Kevin Walters and Christophe Lacroix - head honchos of the thriving 1453 Bar & Grill and masters of the art of creating stylishly cosy surroundings - have infused upper-crust British gastropub menus at this multi-ambient contemporary pub with Gallic flair and locally sourced, seasonal delights. A stylish, easygoing, supremely tasteful experience away from the tyranny of city-centre stress. Open Mon-Fri 11.30am-3pm & 6-11pm, Sat 11.30am-11pm, Sun 11.30am-10.30pm Food Mon-Fri 12noon-2.30pm & 6.30-9.30pm, Sun 12noon-4pm
PIG & FIDDLE
2 Saracen St, BA1 5BR Tel: 01225 460868, web: www.thepigandfiddle.co.uk
• Pretty much an extension of Bath Uni’s Student Union bar, this busy boozer appeals largely to a young crowd (and smokers who dominate heated outdoor tables at the junction of a busy traffic island). Wallet-friendly specials concentrate on traditional pub grub; home-from-home highlights include classic fish & chips, steak & ale pie, and the ‘Porky’s Revenge’ breakfast (till 1pm Sat). Sun roasts (£6.95) include an excellent vegetarian option. Open Regular pub hours Food Mon-Fri 11.30am-6.30pm, Sat 11am-6pm, Sun 12noon-6pm
PORTER
George St, BA1 2EN Tel: 01225 424104, web: http://www.moles.co.uk/
• Fans of the Porter - Bath’s only vegetarian pub, part of the Moles mini-complex - will be relieved to hear that new owner Darin Andre’s company Datchina is an independent with a very friendly face: he/they have plans to keep the Porter’s merry meat-free flag flying by turning it into a fully vegan establishment. As we go to press, the reliably satisfying fare on offer perfectly suits the Porter’s laidback atmosphere, and the recent addition of the Moles Music Cafe adds to the general swing. All-day breakfasts and full-on veggie roasts, plus curries, pies and bar snacks (excellent nachos), at very reasonable prices. Free live music Mon-Thur, comedy Sun eves, live DJs Fri-Sat (call for details). Open Mon-Thur 11am-12midnight, Fri-Sat 11am-1am, Sun 11am-11.30pm Food Daily 11am-9pm (breakfast till 6pm weekdays/2pm weekends, Sun roast 12noon-4pm)
PULTENEY ARMS
37 Daniel St, BA2 6ND Tel: 01225 463923, web: http://www.thepulteneyarms.co.uk/
• Friendly, traditional boozer with wooden floors, comfortable banquettes, roaring open fires and a very well stocked bar. Generous portions of good, honest, homemade food and classic Sun roasts (1 £8.50, 2 £12.50, 3 £16.50). Pavement tables make for lovely pub-lunch picnics. Open Regular pub hours Food Mon-Tue 6-9pm, Wed-Fri 12noon-2.30pm & 6-9pm, Sat & Sun 12noon-3pm
RAM
20 Claverton Buildings, Widcombe Tel: 01225 460426, web: www.therambath.com
• Traditional neighbourhood boozer serving up traditional neighbourhood boozer grub, including massive breakfasts, homemade pies and Sun roasts. Real ales, real pub, really good fun. Open Regular pub hours Food Mon-Sat 12noon-9pm (breakfast from 10am), Sun 12noon-4pm (food times approx - call to confirm)
RAVEN
7 Queen’s St, BA1 1HE Tel: 01225 425045, web: http://www.theravenofbath.co.uk/
• This small but perfectly formed city centre oasis (guaranteed free of TV/loud music) always offers a warm welcome even when packed to the rafters (a not-that-unusual scenario). Excellent wine/ales list and classic bar selection, both at the long street-level bar and upstairs in the cosy supper room. Pies come courtesy of pieminister (with mash or chips and your choice of gravy, £8.80), and there are local sausages, an excellent ploughman’s and elegant pates and terrines. Open Mon-Thur 11.30am-11pm, Fri-Sat 11.30am-12midnight, Sun 12noon-10.30pm Food Mon-Fri 12noon-2.30pm & 5-8.30pm, Sat 12noon-8.30pm, Sun 12.30-6.30pm
RICHMOND ARMS
7 Richmond Place, Lansdown, BA1 5PZ Tel: 01225 316725, web: http://www.richmondarmsbath.co.uk/
• Well-heeled Georgian pub with a light, modern, airy feel and charming beer garden, serving largely gastro-centric grub. Open Tue-Sat 12noon-3pm & 6-11pm (till 12midnight Fri-Sat), Sun 12noon-3pm & 7-10pm Food Tue-Sat 12noon-2pm, Tue-Thur 6-9pm, Fri-Sat 6-9.30pm, Sun 12noon-3pm
RING O’BELLS
Widcombe Parade, BA2 4JT Tel: 01225 448870, web: http://www.ringobellswidcombe.co.uk/
• The perennially popular Ringo combines a friendly, polished atmosphere with polished, friendly food - mainly modern British but with plenty of contemporary Medi-themed twists. Spectacular Sun lunches and excellent nibbles, bar snacks and tapas. Well-stocked bar with a great range of wines, conti-beers, etc. Private hire available. Open Mon-Fri 12noon-3pm & 5-11pm, Sat-Sun 12noon-11pm Food 12noon-2.30pm & 6-10pm
SALAMANDER
3 John St, BA1 2JL Tel: 01225 428889, web: http://www.bathales.com/
• No TV, no fruit machines, no fuss - just nice folk, a good atmosphere and a cosy feel… exactly what we’ve come to expect from a Bath Ales pub. Refreshingly straightforward pub bar at street level and cosy supper room on the first floor. Locally sourced menu includes potted brown shrimp, Wiltshire ham hock and black pudding terrine, pan-roasted Cornish pollack with surf clams, Woodland-reared belly of pork, and fabulous chocolate brownies. Bar menu features what’s possibly the best homemade burger in Bath (with perfect chips) and sarnies are sufficiently well stuffed to keep hunger pangs at bay until the following morning. Open Mon-Sat 11.30am-11pm (12midnight Fri-Sat), Sun 12noon-10.30pm Food Daily 12noon-2.30pm (3pm Fri-Sun) & 6.30-9pm (9.30pm Fri-Sat)
SAM WELLER’S
Upper Borough Walls, BA1 1RH Tel: 01225 474910, web: http://www.samwellersph.co.uk/
• City-centre hotspot specialising in classic pub grub (steaks, fish & chips, pie & mash, all-day breakfast, Sun roasts) and a good pint (or three). Open Regular pub hours Food Mon-Sat 12noon-9.30pm approx (according to demand), till 5.30pm Sun
SARACEN’S HEAD
Broad St, BA1 5LP Tel: 01225 426518
• Ancient, historic boozer slightly marred by concessions to tourists, sports fans and stag dos. Traditional fare like beef & ale pie and Sun roasts, with some veggie options. Open Regular pub hours Food Daily 12noon-9pm
STAR INN
Vineyards (opposite The Paragon), BA1 5NA Tel: 01225 425072, web: http://www.star-inn-bath.co.uk/
• Grade II listed, Camra-endorsed, fruit machine/music-free real-ales corker with a history dating back to the 16th century, 19th-century wooden interiors and a well-stocked bar courtesy of local brewery/proprietors Abbey Ales. No menu as such, but well-stuffed rolls and generous complimentary Saturday bar snacks (from quail’s eggs and sausage rolls to big cheeseboard selections) make this truly original gem worthy of a mention here. Open Mon-Fri 12noon-2.30pm & 5.30-11pm, Sat 12noon-11pm, Sun 12noon-10.30pm
VOLUNTEER RIFLEMAN’S ARMS
New Bond St Place, BA1 1BA Tel: 01225 425210
• Small, welcoming pub offering homecooked traditional pub grub and a good selection of traditional local ales alongside standard bar goodies. Open Mon-Thur 11am-1am, Fri-Sat 11am-2am, Sun 12noon-11pm (may close early on weeknights, according to demand) Food Daily 12noon-3pm
WEST:GATE
38 Westgate St, BA1 1EL Tel: 01225 461642, web: http://www.thewestgatepub.co.uk/
• Scrubbed-up city-centre pub serving reasonably priced, crowd-pleasing pub classics, from full-on full English breakfasts to snacks/nibbles/light lunches, proper fish & chips, big burgers, macho steaks and Sun roasts. Open Daily 11am-late Food Daily 12noon-9pm (opening hours under consideration at time of going to press - call/see website for updates)
WHITE HART
Widcombe Parade, BA2 6AA Tel: 01225 338053, web: http://www.whitehartbath.co.uk/
• A much-loved cornerstone of the Widcombe ‘scene’, serving unpretentious but inspired, Michelin guide-endorsed food: signature rough pesto/mint & lemon hummus bar platter, gert big homemade puds, fresh and seasonal gastropub-type goat’s cheese terrine, whole baked sea bass and rib-eye steak. Inside, downhome dining rooms next to a lively, buzzing bar area lead through to a gorgeous urban oasis in the courtyard outback - lovely. Open Mon-Sat 11.30am-11.30pm, Sun 12noon-10.30pm Food Daily 12noon-9pm
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