A welcome as big as the eponymous, Arctic circle-dwelling carnivore awaits at the White Bear where engaging staff ensure the customer is king. For their part, a diverse clientele taking in loyal regulars, students, nurses, business types and more makes for a friendly mood where no one group dominates.

Among Bristol’s five oldest pubs – it dates back to 1650 – its several rooms sprawl pleasingly and offer a space for all occasions and tucked-away areas where private shindigs can swing, unnoticed by those not partying. Diners and families are drawn to the front, pool players hit the table, darts player hit the doubles (hopefully), the smokers get a characterful cobbled courtyard while the society girls – knitting, that is – gather to purl contentedly. The décor is smart, clean and contemporarily traditional.

Fantastically funky events include talks by characters like Howard Marks and a quiz wherein the losers take home six cans of warm Fosters. Drop in on Sundays for a legendary roast, over Christmas for mulled wine, on New Year’s Eve for a house party of epic proportions and on Fridays when the DJ revolves the coolest tunes. Ice, ice baby indeed. (Word Simon Fry, pics Mark Simmons)

The information

Lager Fosters, Red Stripe, Becks, Stella, Peroni. From £2.90.

Beer Doom Bar, Otter, Butcombe Gold. From £2.80.

Cider Thatchers Gold, Aspall. From £3.

Wine Four red, four white. From: £2.95 gls/£10.95 btl.

Food Served daily 12noon-9pm. Contemporary pub. Homemade West Country burger from £6.95, sausage & mash from £6.95, six-hour slow-roast pork belly £7.95, fish & chips £7.50, stew £8.25, chocolate brownie £3.50.

WHITE BEAR 133 ST MICHAELS HILL, HIGH KINGSDOWN, BRISTOL, BS2 8BS. TEL: 0117 904 9054, WEB: WWW.WHITEBEAR-BRISTOL.CO.UK OPEN DAILY 12NOON-12MIDNIGHT.

 Copyright Simon Fry 2010; pics Mark Simmons Photography 2010