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Annexe Inn, Bristol

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user reviews of the Annexe Inn, Bristol

please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.

For me this pub ticked all the boxes. In Bristol for football at the memorial ground my friends and me were looking for somewhere with real ale, good food and satellite TV for the lunchtime game. All three were available in spades.

Don't be put off by outward appearances (from the outside the Annexe resembles a Church Hall or Scout Hut), inside is spacious. Six draught beers were on offer and, not being beer snobs, we were more than happy to stick to the Doombar and Tribute. Both were excellently kept.

Food was cheap. £5.95 for a perfectly cooked Rump Steak & Chips. The staff, though young, were polite and attentive and could pull a pint. The pub was pleasantly full but not so that one had to queue for more than a minute or two at the bar.

The only let-down was a dire Burnley v Cardiff game on the box.

We will definitely be going back to the Annexe on our next visit to Bristol.
yelnats - 21 Apr 2013 10:17
Although this place is one step back from the main road, its worth seeking out. The beers on tap are well kept and there is a variety (6 when i visited) on offer. Food is good pub quality and inexpensive. As is the beer compared to the main strip. The bar staff were helpful and friendly. Its probably not aimed at families, as the seating and arrangement of the bar and TVs are couples and fours. But great for a session on a saturday or sunday lunchtime.
beermorph - 13 Jul 2012 20:50
As you walk down from the busy Gloucester Road you come acroos a huge slab of a pub called the Sportsman - this can't be right we thought! but carry on round the corner and you find the old pub outbuildings which have been converted into the Annexe Bar which was pleasantly busy with Bristol Rovers fans and others in to watch the England v Spain game. A good crowd and no hassle whatsoever. Real ales feature here and as has been said it was rather sad to see Courage Best and the now ubiquitous Doom Bar on tap although we were lucky to have a good selection of guest ales. I had the Wye Valley HPA which was fine and then we had Dark Star American Pale Ale which was brilliant. There was food being served and the portions looked pretty hefty = so good value for money. Our bus passes got us 30p discount off every pint which was a nice touch for us old fogeys. The three girls behind the bar added that little bit of charm and sparkle to the evening and I would certainly use the pub again when next in Bristol There are plenty buses up and down Gloucester Road - get off at the stop for the County Cricket Ground.
mcroyal - 13 Nov 2011 12:09
A recent visit here. What I don't like about this place is the dismal choice of Beer cb doombar,and the guests ? all of a similiar strength to be honest i don't think my gran would get excited about the choice in here. Quality was adequate only.
beatles38 - 22 Sep 2011 21:45
Lovely pub situated behind the cavernous and not very nice Sportsman's. Eight pumps and seven beers on when I visited. Tried Wye Valley HPA, Quercus Spring Oak and Wood's Special, the latter two being guest ales. All in top form. However, don't really understand why they tie up two pumps with Courage Best and Doom Bar. Some Doom did get sold while I was there but not a single pint of C/B, while the guests were flying over the bar. Didn't try the food but it looked good and very reasonably priced.
mousefan - 5 Apr 2011 20:36
Busy and bustling when we called, this is a largeish pub with a big beer garden, and is indeed an annexe of the Sportsman. There was a good choice of 6 ales on our visit, and our choices were in good condition. There were some rather annoying children apparently unsupervised in the garden, but according to signage they would have to be gone by 20.30. Well worth the short walk from the main A38.
Stamfordian - 28 Mar 2011 09:45
Despite it's long-held tradition for having a variety of real ales to sample, I never once got round to visiting this place... Until last Monday. A quiet period, being a bank holiday lunchtime, but none the worse for that. Surprisingly capacious, the Annexe has the unusual character of a social club and pub combined, which is a canny mix and one which I imagine goes down quite well with local clientele.
They have that rare arrangement of handpumpage which is set against a wall with the clips facing backwards - and there are about 8 available so clearly there is potential, although I did wonder from the kinds of drinks being ordered by others whether there was enough demand to ever satisfy the full complement. In any case, there were around 5 to choose from and mine was cool and crisp and perfect as a starter-of-ten for the day ahead.
And...all served by a rather sexy barmaid whose pertness of buttock and shortness of skirt was I'm afraid taking everyone's attention - probably why I can't recall which beer I had now!

Not bad actually. Dismiss at your peril, whether you're a "ticker" or otherwise.
TWG - 9 Jun 2010 17:40
suprising this pub has not been reviewed since 2008 .ok quality bril , choice uninspiring though wide but included drossbar , sorry doombar , and c/best , not a bad pub , but probably the tickers wouldn't like it , probably because of thev plasma screems , yet not bad ,but not the gem i'd thought it would be .
beatles38 - 12 May 2010 23:13
'The Sportsman and Annexe' is just one place now, two sides of the same bar.
ed007 - 29 Jun 2008 01:02
Moog and Webel MC have it about right but I would say that the ol' place is going downhill.

Now getting pretty shabby and, depending on who's behind the bar , the music can get over loud. TVs at both ends is also a bad idea (not everyone wants to watch sport). Also a large pool cage dominates the central area (and they took the dartboard down so the smokers could get out easier!)

Pity is that instead of being pretty unique (good beers, no jukebox, husband/wife run, TV but not dominating)it seems to have gone with the flow

Nevertheless, generally good beers, usually 5 + a guest but the cider is now down to just one. Also do excellent food (not just the Pizzas... they also serve lunch/early evening meals).

Roger RIP
pinter - 14 Feb 2008 17:05
Has some good beers, food and screens for watching footy. Management not particularly helpful or friendly tho which is disappointing.
Moog - 19 Jan 2008 22:10
Confusing place - called The Sportsman at one end (this is the only name cab drivers know it by, but it's the end that has no real ales), and The Annexe at the other end. The Annexe has 2 real ciders and 2 very acceptable real ales. A great selection of food, reasonably priced and pleasantly served. Handy for Bristol Rovers' temporary ground.
Trev - 4 Nov 2007 18:06
Beer selection is pretty good and pizzas are good value.
downender - 16 Feb 2007 14:49
Looks like a skittle alley and won't win any architectural awards, but always six beers available and good value pub food. Nice garden, although can get overrun with kids in the summer. Handy for the county cricket ground - I've spent many rained off days in here getting slowly pickled.
WebelMC - 18 Jul 2006 20:06

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