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You can’t go far in Bath without finding a bar steeped in history, and Browns is no exception. The city’s police station, magistrates’ court and holding cells in a former life (the original cells and their white tiles can still be seen if you have occasion to visit the disabled loo or the wine cellars), Browns has evolved over the years and now exudes the ambience of a top-notch French family eatery, with its brass-topped bar, heated external drinking and dining area and a mix of casual and more formal seating inside for relaxed or intimate ingesting. Primarily a restaurant, and open from 10am daily to serve phenomenal breakfasts, great value lunches and terrific dinners, the best thing about Browns from a drinker’s point of view is the number of options it offers. You can relax with an ice-cold pint of continental lager after work, glam it up and join the cocktail crowd (with special offers on cocktails Sunday through Thursday, this is proving particularly popular with Bath’s students), kick back on the heated patio at the weekend soaking up the view of the Parade Gardens or rugby at the Rec, or crack open a bottle of wine and enjoy a gossip with the girls. There’s no end to the possibilities. (Darryl W Bullock, pics Mark Simmons) 
    The information Beer No draught beer available; Worthington White Shield in bottles. Lager Amstel, Kozel, Pironi. From £3.45. Cider Aspall’s Suffolk Cyder. £3.70. Guinness £3.45. Spirits Large selection of premium spirits. Wine International selection (around four dozen, plus sparkling/champagne) from £3.70 gls/£13.95 btl. Food Served all day from 10am. Starters from £3.95, mains from £8.95, sides from £2.50. Festive menu available now (lunch £24.95, dinner £29.95), also booking for New Year’s Eve (dinner £29.95). Huge range of options for breakfast, lots of early dining deals etc. See website for menus and offers. BROWNS THE OLD POLICE STATION, ORANGE GROVE, BATH, BA1 1LP. TEL: 01225 461199, WEB: Copyright Darryl Bullock 2010, pics copyright Mark Simmons 2010
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