Want to know where the really decent pubs in Bristol are? Escape the watered down atmosphere (and beer...) of certain well known pubs near the triangle and visit some of these! The guide is split into four areas for ease of use: West Studentland, University Area, East Studentland and Centre of town. If you've got any suggestions for the list email me and let me know. The Comittee may feel obliged to visit them for judgement....

West Studentland

The Lansdown - Lansdown Road (By the York Cafe) Nice comfy pub with good beer and cocktails, also outside bit with a pool table(!) My new Clifton favourite!

The Spring Gardens - Hotwells Not been here (yet) myself, but suggested by another member! From the website I'd say it was well worth a trip!

The Mall - The Mall, Clifton Village Much trendier than the bland Footbridge and Firkin it replaced, chilled-out pub/bar with nice atmosphere and sofas! The real challenge is to spot more than two identical chairs...

The Albion - Clifton Village (behind WH Smiths) Nice sofas, a pool-table, good Smiles and Courage, live DJ some nights. Gone are the days when Old Speckled Hen was on tap and a big dog slept by the fire, but still a great pub and a nice courtyard to sit in during warmer months.

Coronation Tap - Clifton Village Everyone knows this one! Cider strong enough to strip paint but somehow tasting as innocent as apple juice, it's felled the strongest drinkers. Definately a classic. Not so great Friday and Saturday evenings though when it's too packed and full of people chucking up.

The Shakespeare - Off Redland Road Definately a good one. Still has separate Saloon and Public bars, (the latter with a pool table). Cosy fire, comfy seats and good beer, all you could want for a local.

The Penny Farthing - Cotham Hill / Whiteladies Rd (opp. Sainsbury's) Was a regular for socials this year, decent beer and nice armchairs (though I've never managed to get one...)

Richmond Springs - Clifton (by the Union) Pool table and table football, another regular on pub crawls. Good atmosphere.

Uni Area

The Highbury Vaults - St Michael's Hill Everyone's favourite! A good selection of Youngs beers, plus well kept Smiles and other guests. Also has very nice cheap home made food.

The Brewery Tap - Park Row (opp. BRI) Attached to the Smiles Brewery a great pub with nice cheap grub and the best Smiles beer in town. Smiles run brewery tours for groups of people (as enjoyed on a social this year...) - see their website for details.

Le Château - Park Street Fairly new Youngs pub/bar, has their full range of beers (including the lesser know lagers "Export" and "Pilsner" - well worth tasting). Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings it's "happy hour" all evening, and live bands seem to feature too.

The Ship - Park Row A fine pub with a sofa or two and intriguing photos of old ships (some in the course of sinking!) Good ales too.

East Studentland

The Cadbury House - Richmond Road, Montpellier Tucked behind Montpellier Station, out of the way and tricky to find, but well worth a visit! Wickwar Ales on tap, a huge garden with a big lawn, pool tables, old pin ball machines and a collection of vintage mechanical archade games it's one of the areas hidden gems (but take your A-Z the first time!)

The Cat and Wheel - Arches As local as they come, pool tables, old carpets and brews its own "Moles" Beer. A regular for socials, definatelty a quality one! Sometimes has scary looking bikers there too.

The Forester's Arms - Gloucester Road Cosy little pub just by Somerfield, dodgy ciders available as well as ale, widescreen for the footie.

The Hobgoblin - Gloucester Road Quite trendy now after its recent make-over, but still a must. I seem to always drink Aftershock there, must be some tradition? Telly for sport, good beer and even a little cyber café! Definately worth a stop.

The Hogshead - Cheltenham Road (By the Arches) Big, with nice beer (and lots of other drinks for non-beer drinkers). Always a favourite on Gloucester Rd socials.

Centre

The Watershed Café (near Evolution) Has a nice "sopisticated" air to it, good selection of beer (Budvar on tap) and wine, also nice coffee milkshakes ("frappés"). Good for a pre-film drink or a lunch time snack.

The Old Duke - King Street (near Steamrock!) Quality pub in the centre, has free live jazz most evenings, nice beer, cheap grub and tables outside. Good atmosphere too, the walls are plastered with several decades of old jazz posters.

Belgo's - Queen Charlotte Street I've heard rumours this has closed - is that true? I may cry if so!... Round the corner from the Old Duke, specialises in Belgian beers of all sorts, each serevd in its own special glass! From fruit beers to 10% "Tripple", and sticks of different shots of schnapps you won't want to leave! Nice food too. Should definately be visited on a social! Check their website.