please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Tucked away amongst the modern office blocks, we at first missed the entrance gate in the fence in the corner of the small car park. Once inside this 18th century pub, we found it to be a little cramped (if you can't find a free table) but with a convivial atmosphere and some nice features such as the leaded glass and model/history of the SS Cornubia. I had a pint of Lenton Lane's Good for Yule at £4.40; also on sale was the same brewery's Henton, Wantsum Montgomery, Blue Bee Bessemer Blonde, Twisted Oak's Cornubia SO and 4 real ciders (2 from Broadoak). A great start to our evening in Bristol.
|
I was very interested to read the comments as for sure, in this Brexit Britain, the sight of a union jack and St. George's Flag festooned pub replete with pictures of Spitfires and God Save the Queen signs might be a too much for some - including me. Happily, the decor is so over the top as to render it probably benign and it's heartening to see a representative of the pub stress that they are far from anti-European and are welcoming to all. The beers selection was superb, there are pork pies and turtles in a tank while the building is characterful indeed. It was also a very mixed crowd with plenty of women and non-white people.
|
During my recent visit to Bristol I visited here twice. Admittedly both visits were just for a quick pint but I found the beer good and staff and customers friendly. Please ignore some of the previous stupid comments and come and enjoy a proper decent pub.
|
I have been in this excellent pub many times over the years and fail completely to understand LittleDrummerBoy's comments. Ignore them and come here to enjoy the fantastic beers. One of Bristol's essential visits.
|
I'll be very upfront as I am the landlady's daughter so just wanted to get that out of the way, no denying I'm a little biased! I respect everybody's opinions & reviews but must say that I think the below review is a little much. Yes there are flags & military photos (the majority of which are of my uncle who served & sadly passed away) but 'anti-European' & many of the other connotations used we certainly are not. Over the 6 years we've been here most people have enjoyed the kookiness of the decor hence why it has been added to. Our staff, regulars, customers & friends come from all walks of life & are nothing but friendly & welcoming to every single person that walks through the door. Any constructive criticism is gladly taken onboard by all here but if you are reading these reviews, I'd urge you to come & experience the atmosphere yourself (as well as the beer of course - it is pretty spectacular :) )
|
I'm an easy-going, amiable late-40s year old male and - if pushed - I would describe my personal politics as fairly left-leaning, but anti-fascist first and foremost. This is mainly because I was bought up in a time and place where the hate-filled National Front and Combat 18 et al were at their height and I bore witness to some of their tactics used against anybody "other" in my community. I thought we'd moved on apace from those times, but this place just seems to be a museum to those sentiments. Like others have iterated - overly patriotic to the point of nationalistic, jingoistic, militaristic, anti-European, etc, etc.... Whilst all this is not that overt, you just get a certain feeling of unease at all of the pointers around you on the walls and lying around the place if you take the time to look. If that's the vibe they're going for, then this place ain't for me.
Having said all that, the beers tried were good, with the Ashover Liquorice stout being a favourite.
|
Cracking pub! Lovely warm welcome on arrival, patient, knowledgeable staff allowing us to sample several different ales (10 handpumps) before we decided which to start with! House ale 'SO' at 3.9% super tasty and easy drinking light session ale. Yes there are flags EVERYWHERE but all adds to the great experience and charm of the pub! Weekly quiz night and live music advertised. Certainly an experience at the Cornubia, not one to be missed if you like decent real ale, great conversation and a welcoming atmosphere.
|
Agree it's a tad jingoistic, militarist and rugby orientated, but the beer is very good, a bit worrying that I was asked if I was a CAMRA member, don't wear shorts, sandels or have a beard, or am I being stereotypical?
|
Whilst there is a nice beer selection and the two we tried were in good nick, what the hell is going on with with all the Union Jacks, St George flags etc etc. There are flags surrounding the garden, the bar, in fact everywhere you look, and even union jack cushions for Christ's sake! Don't sit down if you are not English? This isn't patriotism, more like an unpleasant taste of nationalism, perhaps the like of which you might expect to see in a back street boozer in St George, .....it felt like walking into a BNP convention on a Saturday afternoon. My partner, who is not British, felt most unwelcome and uncomfortable. And the awful overly loud (for 2pm on a Saturday) piped into the garden music, complete with words such as "fucking" this and "fucking" that, did not add to the experience, notwithstanding the fact that we were sat in the garden with our 5 year old daughter. Will not be back to this horrible nasty inclusive little Englander hangout.....used to be a lovely pub too.
|
A remarkable little pub which is tucked away and hidden from all the tourists who frequent many of the city centre pubs. Some pubs just have that feeling of ‘rightness’ when you walk in and the Cornubia is right in that category. On entry you are greeted by friendly staff who are more than willing to offer advice on choice of drinks including several real ales. The food on offer is simple pub fare – pies and pasties which are good value and very tasty. The pub offers cosy seating inside where you can watch the turtles in a large tank (very relaxing I thought) or numerous benches outside in an enclosed area at the front. This really is a must visit if you are in Bristol – a cracking little pub. To find it just look for the Fire station – the pub is opposite.
|
AVOID AVOID AVOID -Landlord thinks its ok to tell a young lady to get the f**k out of my pub and PUSH her because she walked through the gate of the beer garden with half a tiny sandwich. Any person with respect for women or anyone for that matter would have said "excuse me can you eat that before you come inside the pub ground" not man handle her. If you condone pushing women around then this is the pub for you.
|
Like reviews have said very hard to find. Looks very different to the pictures on here as now lined with england bunting and flags. Quite a hard one to describe as sort of a estate feel to it but 100 % an ale pub and you'll see once inside. Fairly small inside and with a good selection of beers. Look out for the tortoise kept as pets in the tank. very random pub but one of the best i visited throughout the day
|
A little tricky to find but well worth the effort. This is a lovely little pub with great staff, a nice bunch of friendly customers, a good choice of well kept beers and even a tank of turtles for entertainment! At only five minutes walk from Temple Mead station this place is highly recommended.
|
Entrance is through a car park. 2 adjoining rooms served by 1 bar. Walls and ceiling covered with pump clips also with a selection of patriotic memorabillia on the main wall opposite the bar. Real fire for those cold days in the main room. Many hand pumps in use. Saltair-Amarillo Gold £2.95
|
Very small, narrow pub that doesn't take too many people to make it crowded.
Ten handpumps, four not in use. Two beers from Hook Norton, not one of my favourite breweries. I had a pint of Twisted Oak Slippery Slope, a quite tasty porter.
Given the reputation of the place I was not impressed with the selection on offer.
A disappointing first visit.
|
I think pwilkins is probaly consistent with this pub rather than the licensees in that it has a rather conservative choice of punters ie we want a light ale at 3.7 per cent we don't want a dark beer, we do 10 beers , but
|
Good and friendly pub with quality ales, mostly darker than to my normal taste on my visit. Pork pies with a variety of pickles on offer.
Don't point or you will get your fingers taped together ;-)
|
Amazingly vibrant pub. A very good choice of beers kept well and would appear often changed. Lots of buzz and atmosphere when we visited on a late Friday afternoon. Felt very warm and welcoming. Very pleased to have found it.
|
Very nice little pub, 12 pumps on with the barman apologising for the lack of choice on Saturday (2nd March) as he only had 8 on! Including a very very good "Mud Stout" at 6.6% from the Black Country!
Two real ciders on too, had a small taste of both, both very nice too!
Food is limited to pies, pasties and crisps, so definitely a drinkers pub!
Now, for all of you beer drinkers who have lager drinking friend who turn their nose up at such pubs, get them along too as they have several different yellow fizzies on too!
A bit awkward to find as Temple Street has been severed by a main road, however from Temple Meads, go past Tony Benn House (Unite Union) take the right hand Temple Street and follow it down, look left behind a fence opposite the Fire Station, it will be worth it!
As Arnie S once said, "I'll be back!"
|
Still very good, Phil certainly knows how to keep beer
|
Well hidden away behind a fence opposite Fire Station but welcoming Dickensian front and bohemian/psychedelic vibe inside. Wall to wall beermats, chilling 80's light/mid rock music and choice of about 8 or so real ales including many locals. Great chillout pub and friendly too.
A must for a pub crawl around Bristol.
|
Always a reliable port of call when passing through Bristol, and this visit last week was no different- plenty of choice on the beer front, excellent quality.
|
Cracking liitle pub. Went in Saturday lunchtime - 12 real ales and pretty busy. Friendly welcome and friendly people in there! Access not easy because of the office blocks around it, but worth seeking out!
martyngs
|
Fantastic little inner city back street boozer
|
Great pub, selling a wide range of real ales. It does lack the authentic charm of the superb King's Head nearby, but it had a good choice at the bar, as well as friendly bar staff who also sold some great pork pies which were served with a variety of different relishes.
Visit this place with a visit to the King's Head and you won't go far wrong - and both are close to the railway station.
|
As featured on BBC's Dirk Gently last night. Dont be put off by the industrial estate it sits in - well worth a visit. Landlord - PLease seeklonger evening opening hours!
|
wow this is a must pub to visit ,
the land lady, i think her name was jacki stunning !!! with a great smile, very freindly, was chatting to her all night shame she had a landlord , as she was good looking , would let her run my pub in soho london , such a lovely pub with great ales, will be back soon chating up the landlady
|
Ever - reliable and, along with the Bridge, the best pub near Temple Meads. The only pub I always visit when in Bristol. They could do with turning the lights down as it was a bit too bright on my last visit.
|
Tucked away near the fire station and just off Victoria Road this is a "must visit" pub and can be combined with a crawl ofThe Kings Head/Seven Stars and The Bridge. Much improved pub with a lovely warm feeling inside it has obviously had a recent facelift. There are pumpclips all around the walls - evidence of the beers which have been sold in recent times. A nice little range and some local brewers featured. We tried some halloween beer from Cheddar Ales which was in good nick. The bar is not very big but has a great feel to it. If you like cider then this pub will suit you well. Definitely well worth finding. (mind your step on the decking in front of the pub !!)
|
Re-visited at the insistence of Mrs D, and have to say, all the beers (4 tried) were in excellent nick! Interesting choice, and particularly enjoyed the house Autumn Ale (couldn't see who the brewery was but lovely stuff)
|
Unfortunately closed for refreshment (but open for an art exhibition) when we called on Saturday. A notice in the window informed that due to some problem with a brewery the pub side would not re-open until late October. We hope to make another visit when next in Bristol.
|
What a find!! Lovely old world feel. Welcoming bar staff Welsh man on a hat and smiley barmaid, great beer and company,willu come back for sure
|
Nice pub, as always, but the music too loud for a group conversation. The hatted bar person refused to turn the music down. 8 of us left. What a shame
|
I was at the GBG launch too. Don't know what Dandilus was drinking but I tried quite a few of the beers on offer and I didn't get a single flat pint. I didn't hear any complaints from other drinkers either. Phil and Jackie have worked hard to get this pub back into the GBG and deserve a huge amount of credit.
|
Attended the GBG 2012 launch on the 16th Sep of which the Cornubia is back in this year. Alas! once again, the beer was served flat. C'mon guys, check the quality before taking people's hard earned cash! Went round the corner to the Seven Stars which was much, much better. Will be giving the C'bia a miss in future as I cannot afford to throw my money away on sub standard product. Not good enough, I'm afraid
|
Excellent little pub - well worth finding!
|
A nice little tucked away pub with outside seating outside.
An interesting as said before selection of beers,again 3 or four beers sampled.
Probably not as many dark beers as I would have liked in the choice available to be honest , though ok you pander to your regular customers not to someone who comes in now again, and again this is only personal preference not a critiscism.
My main critiscism is like Dandilus most of the Beer was flat.
|
Interesting selection of beers and great service but I have to say that, of the four tried, all of them were served flat or at best, slightly flat and not in tip top condition. A disappointment, I'm sorry to say.
|
Visited yesterday and enjoyed chatting with Jacqui and Phil who have done wonders with this place. Phil really knows the Ale and it was good to find out that he embraces SIBA. Ale of the Pub for me was marginally Auntie Myrtle from Herefordshire followed by the Cornubia Spring Ale brewed by Arbor Ales. A proper pub and I'll return in due course. Recommended.
|
Great pub,we popped in for a few before watching the mighty Exeter City play rovers. Friendly landlord,new his beer. The Durdle Door was top notch.
Well worth a visit if you can find it.
|
Called in before going up to Ashton Gate to see the footie. What a superb pub - landlord/lady very welcoming. Terrapins great too! Ale was top notch and varied. Coming back for a longer visit very soon!
|
Interesting vibrant back street boozer. Good selection of beers and ciders.
|
Wow, what a difference!
Gone are the bad old day's of Hidden brewery and now a vibrant ale house that offers all that should be great about a British pub. Eclectic range of ales and 2 real ciders on offer, beer in excellent condition on my visit and the 10% discount on all real ale for CAMRA members a lovely touch that for me was the cherry on top of the cake knowing I was saving 30p on each drink.
Keep this great work up, why can't all pubs be run as tightly as this ship? It's not rocket science after all, do your job and do it well and they will come as was proved by the crowds on my post lunch visit.
|
Open all day now, 12.00 to 23.00 Monday to Saturday
|
Think it goes without saying one of the great bristol pubs , great choice of real ales cider etc , only critiscism ive got wish it was open a bit more especially on the weekend ,and possibly earlier on weekdays in the afternoon .still 9./10 though.
|
This place has obviously changed hands since the days of Hidden Brewery ownership and what a difference! Great beer (and cider), very friendly and much more life in the bar than I can ever remember. Enjoyed a couple of Quantock beers. Good mix of customers with quite a few "suited and booted" drinkers enjoyed the atmosphere. A pub I shall always visit when in town.
|
I usually end up introducing this pub to friends visiting Bristol. They always love it! and so do I. Top beer!
|
This is a great, tucked away little pub but well worth the short stroll from Victoria Street to find it. At one time it was the brewery tap for one of the long defunct breweries in Bristol (Courage possibly?) and was then closed for a while so it was good to see it lively and busy on a wet Wednesday evening.
It�s not a particularly large pub and it can soon fill up, although there are a few tables out the front. There are several press cuttings on the walls highlighting awards that they have received, and a very large collection of beer mats, presumably representing beers that have been served in the pub at one time. There is also a Cornubia Art Group apparently. It was also nice to see several young ladies in there. All too often pubs of this type can be very male dominated.
Good choice of beers on offer as you would expect, all chalked up on a board behind the bar. On this occasion they were Arbor Beach Blonde, Arbor Transpacific, Bucking Fastard, Equinox Light, Yeovil Stout Hearted, Cotleigh Buzzard and Naylor�s Graven Kioek (spelling might not be quite right there). Good choice of ciders as well with Thatcher�s Gold, Cheddar Valley, Pig Swill, Black Dragon and Gasto Soap Dodger.
|
used to like this pub a lot but last visit (new owners) I made the mistake of taking an unpleasant pint back and got some very aggressive treatment from one of the bar staff (i was 'disrespecting the landlord' apparently). the landlord himself was fine and offered me another pint... but we just left - that sort of thing spoils your evening.
|
Visited for the first time this week... and enjoyed it so much I went back the next day. No experience of the trials and tribulations others have referred to, but it would certainly seem that the place is on form now. Great choice of beers, and ciders, and friendly efficient service, especially from the lady on Monday night. Couldn't have enjoyed it more.
|
Stopped in here on our trip. The beer was excellent, and Phil and his wife were great people. What a wonderful pub, great beer and very friendly people.
|
The Cornubia swingometer is on the upward again. Genial hosts and tip top beer quality.
|
The two different pints of Quantock were perfect that I quaffed here last week, the place will not be the same without Luke but the new owners are very friendly,welcoming and dedicated, and to see all SEVEN handpumps back in use this is great stuff to see :) 8/10
|
Last remaining old building in a sea of office blocks, sorting offices etc. Had a pint of stout here which was very nice and went down sharpish. Good selection of ales on this quite busy Saturday evening. Think it deserves to be back on the beer tourist trail - I'd drop in again if walking between City and Station (or vice versa)
anonymous - 14 Mar 2010 10:02 |
Cornubia now has new landlords, Jackie and Phil who have run pubs in the past and whose pub in 2004 was a local CAMRA Pub of the Year in Kent.
The CAMRA discount is still there but the price has risen to �2:50 for beers with an ABV greater than 4% which applied to five of the seven beers on tap.
Luke took most of the fittings with him (they were his) including the vinyl records but these have been replaced with Phil & Jackies own and these match quite well with the pub.
More importantly the new brewer at Hidden appears to have gone back to the old recipes as the Quest was excellent having the sweetness that it lacked three weeks ago when I last tasted it. Pint, Pleasure, Depths and possibly Spring will be on sale soon though i understand the aim is to have a mixture of local ales from the South West in addition to the Hidden range.
Hopefully the place will have a few years stability now.
|
dear glyon , probably ,better off for going there for for better ale as well
|
Agree pork pies in Kings Head are good but the beer's a tad expensive. Anyway: the proper pork pies are back here now!
|
If you want a good pork pie just go around the corner to the Kings Head. Proper ones there.
glyon - 19 Feb 2010 14:48 |
I like the new CAMRA member beer discount and the higher ratio of real ale to Hidden Quality "beer".
Otherwise the Hidden Quality Crew are now are now changing everything that works - there is now less lunchtime food, no more quality pork pies, silly opening hours, ridiculous belgian beer prices, tasteless posters (probably taste better than the new pork pies though) and not doing anything about the things that don't - the bottle fridge has been knackered for ages.
I don't know where they get their ideas from - but it didn't do their other two pubs a lot of good did it?
MrKiA - 12 Feb 2010 18:46 |
According to a small sign today , the opening times have changed again , but don't ask me what they are , i've only been in there 3/4 last days and i'm confused .
|
I haven't rated this pub because despite a couple of attempts to go there it seems to have rather restricted opening hours so I was thwarted. A guy outside was rolling out the barrels and informed us it was closed until about 6pm whereupon another couple of punters arrived, at least he could see the demand for having his pub open even if he didn't care!
|
I don't know anything about hidden brewery, or the pubs Pork Pies . beer appears to be still good with large choice , and with the pleasant luke at the forefront serving anyway, still a good pub , as said before shockingly overlooked by gbg last year . As to the decision to change the opening hours , missing the office staff leaving at 5 , ie not opening until 6 , I agree with Mousefan absolutely fatuous.
|
Further to my last post, the pork pies in here used to be superb; proper hand-raised jobs from the West Midlands. The new regime (not Luke) has replaced these with pre-packaged industrial things like you might get in a motorway service station if you were really starving. Save a little money but lose a lot of sales...what kind of business plan is this?
|
I am speaking here in a balanced manner(I've crossed swords with Luke in the past!) but the chap has been done up like a kipper by the imbeciles who "own" Hidden brewery. (Is it possible to "own" a bankrupt company???)
While under severe purchasing constraints he has made a reasonable job of the pub and now he gets strewn aside in favour of people who know nothing about ale and less about business. Picture thisa -barrel of (Hidden,ugh) beer is sent to the pub in the morning and the new "landlady" is phoning up asking Luke "how the beer" is on the same afternoon!!! No it doesn't have to be left sit in the cellar madam......
Like the last poster said yes the opening hours have been decimated,closed Saturday days and all Sunday. They haven't got an effing clue. Get out Luke and get away from these fools and hope to see you again somewhere where your "different" style and hard work is appreciated!!!!
|
What is it about this pub and small breweries in Wiltshire? First the Tisbury debacle and now fresh nonsense with the Hidden Brewery! Who came up with the idea of closing from three to six when the pub is surrounded by offices where people knock off at five? Luke has put his heart and soul into this pub and it's tragic to see how the idiots at Hidden are treating him and it. Let's hope someone can come in for this place and treat it with the care it deserves.
|
I had a very enjoyable pint of Hidden Depths before Christmas but that was the first and last one - despite the new brewer. It therefore doesn't surprise me that Hidden brewery are now in liquidation! See forum/general talk/Hidden brewery. Hopefully they will have to get rid of the pub. Drops Luke in it though unfortunately.
MrKiA - 17 Jan 2010 16:40 |
I still love this pub despite what CAMRA or some of the comments below suggest. Had an excellent pint of Totty Pot Porter and spaghetti bolognaise for �1.50 all served by a very friendly barmaid. What more do you need?One of Bristol's finest and, in my opinion, better than the Seven Stars. The only pub in Bristol I always visit.The Gent's toilet always smells of cherryade.
|
I love visiting this pub when I come to Bristol and could not understand why it has been removed from the Good Beer Guide. We enjoyed Arbor Pacific Gem and Teignworthy Old Moggie which were on alongside the Hidden beers. Both were in first class condition, and I hope more people visit from its continuous good supply of first class real ales rather than miss out because it is not in the GBG. Lovely background music from the record player too.
|
I would say this pub was shockingly overlooked by the gbg , easily in MY Bristol top 5 . great guest beer last night
|
There�s clearly some history to this attractive looking pub, much of which is included in previous reviews. Inside it seems a bit disorganised but that gives it a lived in feel and I imagine it�s a decent place to spend a couple of hours on a quiet afternoon. Beer was mainly from the Hidden brewery and there were a number of bottled beers available. The Gents is tiny and I�m convinced that if you were able to get three people in there at the same time they�d have to have the build of Olympic high-jumpers, and be very good friends.
|
Poor Luke! Despite his best efforts and some good guest beers, he is out of the Good Beer Guide. Unfortunately the Hidden Brewery is just too unreliable - and some of their beer is mediocre even at its best. This pub has not done too well with small breweries recently - remember the last days of Smiles? Wouldn't it be just wonderful if it became a free house? He could be selective about breweries, and it would make the pub's future much more secure.
MrKiA - 10 Oct 2009 19:23 |
Visited at a quiet time (mid-afternoon) but I found the place to have a pleasant-enough atmosphere. The barman was a bit distracted by some problem in the cellar which meant that the fizzy liquids were off (so no real loss there for the discerning drinker). Decent pint of the rich, dark Hidden Depths stout. Extra point for the extraordinary location (and the image above doesn't give you any idea of what's around it), and just still managing to be there despite all that has changed in the area...
|
An oasis in what has become a concrete jungle! Full range of "Hidden" beers all in good nick and friendly, knowledgable staff
|
Recent visits have revealed a upturning. The service is more attentive(and the need for same is much agreed with by the landlord). The Old Sarum has been good,the guests noted have been Blindmans,Otter and Vale. Visited with a few fellow BITERs and while they agreed it was quite an experience,there was little to complain about. BTW The stilton and mango chutney rolls are good!!!
Well done lad.
|
I returned to this pub after nearly two years absence to find the beer in tip top condition. They now have guest ales besides the Hidden range. I particularly enjoyed the vinyl left by Luke the landlord; been years since I heard Crosby Stills Nash & Young.
|
Enjoyed our mid week visit here to sample the real ales, and there were Hidden Brewery beers, plus guests from Vale and RCH on. Both the ones we had were in good condition. Lovely friendly chap behind the bar happy to chat as we go early when pubs are not too busy.
|
Wide choice of beers in a nice venue . old sarum , and old knobbley from arbor spot on ,very busy on a friday night , good quick efficient staff , despite it being busy , i've always been a fan of Luke's his ever industrious and enterprising style , remembering him from his Merchant's Arms days to here , never to frightened to try something new . This was a lovely evening ,and its was great to feel cosy inside whilst there was thunder , and lightning outside , a memory to savour from this great English summer .
|
My visit last month yielded a strange mixture of Rocky Horror and Disney on the speakers and a paddling pool for the punters outside. You make your own mind up on that one.
Good service from a friendly barmaid. Seemed to be less guest beers available then previously, which is a shame. Saying that, it�s still worth a visit though.
|
Only my second visit last week, but shall definitely return soon - terrific selection of old vinyl records which virtually guarantee you'll get decent tunes all evening (though my brother failed to warm to Captain Beefheart), very friendly service as well.
|
It is interesting that bs8drinker hides their identity, only registered on Wednesday 8th July, has only made three comments, and all three of these comments are having a go at LukeD. Is it possible that this person signed up to purely to have a go at Luke? Could they be closely associated with one of the three pubs LukeD commented on? Draw your own conclusions!
By the way I think it perfectly acceptable that a landlord should comment on other pubs, particularly when HE is NOT hiding his identity.
MrKiA - 10 Jul 2009 17:40 |
My only comment is that I have chosen not to hide my identity, and I have made a point of not making personal attacks on individuals.
|
bs8 drinker - surely everyone has the right to their opinion regardless of their position - it's called democracy. Whether you agree with it or not is another matter - but the guy has the right to say it. Personally, I find appalling spelling lazy and shoddy and choosing to type in BLOCK CAPITALS aggressive but that's just my opinion and personal foible. No offence.
|
VERY PROFFESSIONAL-LANDALORD OF CORNUBIA SLAGGIN OFF CUSTOMERS-WANDER DOES HIS BOSS KNOW
|
It's a pity that you cannot find the wide variety of different ales that you used to in the Cornubia - most of the Hidden beers I've tried have been pretty unremarkable. I think there is still one guest ale at most times (please correct me if wrong), but I have to say that this was served far too warm today, and especially disappointing coming from a pub well known for its CAMRA associations.
|
Nice old fashioned pub with some good ales and cider
|
an-ecunemical-matter, I really don't think that any of your criticism is fair or well directed, apart from the fact that i was in the office or elsewhere when you showed up. I'm sorry, but this is what happens sometimes on a Monday evening. We cannot afford to pay two members of staff on such a quiet evening, and I have to leave the bar occasionally, to restock or get change, or even to change a barrel. I try but am unable to guarantee allways having a guest beer on, sometimes they sell exceptionally quickly. I don't actually see why off-duty staff should jump to attention when they are trying to relax after a shift. My staff work hard enough as it is. I am also very sad that Shaggy Dave met his end in such a way, and it was a shock to me also. I only think that news of his demise put you in a negative mood before you entered our pub.
|
Excellent pub. Beers good (Hidden Brewary) and usually a guest cider along with Cheddar Valley. Lovely landlord and staff. Very pleasant atmosphere.
|
Visited on 15th Feb and had a couple of pints of Hidden Depths. Excellant beer and excellant service. My hangover from the previous night was instantly cured ;)
|
Sorry Luke-but I walked in last night not exactly in the best of form after hearing a good ale drinking mate had apparently perished in sad circumstances,didn't recognise any customer at all,saw Hidden,Hidden.Hidden,Hidden and Hidden on tap and nothing else,a big pile of unsold rolls and no one behind the bar. Off duty(I HOPE!) barwoman from previous visits was reading the paper on the customers side of the coalface but showed not even a pulse with regard to my arrival and wait. So alas off I went. I'll say it again-sorry Luke.
|
Visited last month and had a Hidden and a Wessex beer. Both were OK. The pub was interesting to look round. It is set back from the road opposite the fire station.
|
What a nice find. A Georgian building set at a jaunty angle amongst an horrendous mix of 70's to 00's buildings/building sites. Hidden Quest was spot on, excellent as a first pint, a litle disappointed by the Hiden Pleasure which hid its pleasures too well perhaps. 3 Hidden beers and 2 guest beers when I visited. Well worth finding
|
So happy to see that this pub has been turned around massively, Luke has done a very good job, the quality of the ales are fantastic, there is a good selection of world beers, and overall the atmosphere is picking up nicely.
Happy daze!!!
|
Good as ever on my yearly visit.Great range of guest beers if you don't trust the sometimes unreliable Hidden beers. Especially impressed by the Wessex Russian Stoat.
|
Great that Luke has taken over - pity about Hidden brewery's beer, it is very variable - from awful to mediocre, I have tried very hard to like it but failed, so now I only go in there if they have got guest ale. It is noticeable that most of the regular CAMRA members have deserted it for pubs like the nearby Seven Stars that always have a good range of varied beer in excellent condition (and at least 10% cheaper).
MrKiA - 14 Nov 2008 00:09 |
Thanks for the comments. I'm sorry that the beer selection was lacking that day. We had just had our busiest week in a long time.
Anyhow, just to let people know that we are now serving sunday dinners, from 2pm until 6pm. booking is highly recommended.
Luke.
LukeD - 23 Oct 2008 22:13 |
Much better on my recent visit now Luke is the new manager. Beer quality was fine but very disappointed that despite there being an extensive, and decent, guest ale list on the chalk board every single one of them was unavailable. Not the biggest Hidden beer fan myself so was somewhat peeved to say the least, probably just one of those days though. Service & atmosphere beyond fault though - which is nice to say once again.
|
nice looking pub , with outside , beer was fine , food , limited to rolls but fine , Remember Luke the manager from his merchant arms days , nice bloke , left after a couple , but felt I was missing something .
|
I can't understand all of the negative reviews for the Cornubia. I've always received a pleasant welcome by all of the bar staff and the beer has always been in top condition! And it's chav free!
|
Indeed Mr "Right Boss" and his woman have departed to Stoke,evidently. And thankfully not Bradley Stoke,Chew Stoke or Stoke Bishop but Stoke-On-Trent.
The new man at the helm worked here in the Smiles/"coughing banshee" days,but isn't too bad a bloke. He won't ever in a million years come near Mike or Ross/Karen,but he deserves a chance.
On my visit though the Old Sarum was rather flat,though not Sarsons. Funny the last time I had Hidden beer(Spoons Trowbridge) it was similar. However an acquaintance of mine of good opinion did state that the Great Western Brewery beers on recently have been good.
Good to see the place going the right way again,developments shall be awaited.
|
The previous landlord has gone, we hear. I'll try it again after Friday before last's triple delight of Sarsons, Sarsons & Soup.
|
I for one visit this pub because it's one of the few central Bristol pubs where you can get a really good pint of real ale (usually the guest beer though), in a good atmosphere. Not sure I want to discuss their (lack of) interpersonal skills with the current landlords though!
|
"please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously."
Oh dear, some honest views by regular posters here seems to have upset a whole host of "1 Post" newbies who have never commented on *ANY* other public house on BITE. How strange? Who could *they* really be? lol A scripture from the good book back at ye Preacherman - "The taking of offense is what lies in the bosom of the stupid one". Ecclesiastes 7 v8. Amen. :-)
|
And god bless you too, Mr one-pub reviewer.
Blessed are those who only comment once, for they shall assume other identities elsewhere.
|
I feel that the comments made about "The Management" by Mr "X" and others should be taken into the correct context. I enjoy the caveman approach and the grunting as it drowns out the moans of certain cliental. As a user of this estashblishment from the days of Nick I would say that there is more of a connection now with the drinkers here than in the past 4 years. Still everybody has an opinion.
Blessed are meek, they shall inherite the pub.
The Preacherman.
|
Good ale, good atmosphere, no loud music that I have ever heard - one of the few real ale pubs left around the centre
|
an_ecunemical_matter and Mr X are both regular BITE contributors of good repute and seemingly sound judgment.
And you are...? I see you only have one comment registered so far.
Just curious...perhaps you have an opinion on other nearby ale houses? I'd like to hear them.
|
I also agree that personal comments made are not helpful, but also a bit cowardly. 'MisterX' and 'an_ecunemical_matter' should perhaps use their real names if they is going to get personal. Or even better, make the comments to the landlords face.
I'm a local to the pub and have been visiting for a few years. The beer is still very good under the new landlord and the pub's atmosphere has not really changed that much. Ross and Karen did a superb job running this boozer, and the new couple do have big shoes to fill. They just need time.
This central Bristol pub is worth a visit and one of the best in the area.
|
I don't think personal comments are helpful. If people have a problem with beer quality, service etc, it's better to take it up with the management rather than whinge on sites like this. Yes, there have been a few blips but the beer is still good, the company is still convivial and the pub has not suddenly become bad overnight. It's been a lot worse than this.
|
Oh no! What has happened to this once wonderful pub? Sadly I have to agree with "a_e_m"'s review below.
I thought I was being served by Neanderthal Man to be honest on my recent visit. Music blasting out so loud it was impossible to hold a conversation.Well Hidden brewery, if this is the best you can offer after Ross & Karen's departure to pastures new you can stick your pub where the sun does not shine! I will not be back until you dismiss the fools who are ruining this once fine ale house.
|
Alas the Cornubia is not a shadow of its former self. Deafening music-ale served with a grunt-intimidating atmosphere-house beer not as good as it was,whether its the brewing or cellarship I don't know.
At a CAMRA social recently the barwoman could only respond with a grunt when asked to top up a seriously low pint. And then when someone else asked the same question,he got a head tossing"jesus christ" response!!!
But what took the biscuit was last week,I visited with some friends,there were around 8 or 10 punters in,me mate went to the bar and there was no one serving. He made enquiries to find both the staff outside smoking,he asked "any chance of being served?" to be told the bar was closed for 5 minutes while the staff had a smoke.
Poor.
|
Great pub and very convenient for the station.Beer range is excellent - especially impressed by the Wessex Russian Stoat(9%!!!!)
|
You'll be missed guys,whoever takes over will have a hard act to follow. Take care. (Have a peep at image 3 above!!!!)
The owner assures me the good work will continue here,and recent reports state its business as usual.
|
Thanks to everyone who supported us through our first year at the pub. As you may know we have left to work for Bath Ales and are currently working in the Hop Pole in Bath and could be back in Bristol early next year. If anyone is down that way it would be nice to see a familiar face. God bless the Cornubia and all who drink in her! Thanks again
|
While I might concur up to a point with the opinions of the 2nd to previous poster,I can confirm that Ross and Karen are still at the helm and the place is still as good as ever. I believe the story about the Golden Guinea is correct. Old Sarum from Hidden has recently been delightfully quaffable.
|
Rather hidden away, you would never stumble across this place by accident. Decent food, plenty of tables outside for a sunny lunch time drink
|
Something seems amiss. The lunatic who tried to run the place when the landlord was on his holidays doesn't appear to be going away!!! WAH. Common as muck,not a patch on the others.
Heard also that Hidden will be taking over the Guinea by the old hospital in Redcliffe.
anonymous - 18 Oct 2007 08:23 |
Good range of Hidden beers, will be back to try more.
|
Great range of beers from the Hidden Brewery.
|
Great Hidden beers and a very friendly welcome. One of the best Bristol has to offer.
|
Only had time for one pint here but what I had was very good indeed. Excellent pub well worth a visit if walking from Temple Meads to the City Centre.
|
CJG.
Tisbury was before my time and I heartily agree with your opinion on the "Smiles"/coughing banshee fiasco,but I couldn't particularly fault the Nick/Mike the manager incarnation of the Cornubia.
Some of the "Mike" ways of running the place that Karen and Ross have brought back have helped make it as good if not better than in the past.
If you want to have a pt and a discussion I'm the one at the bar who sounds like a mix of Fathers Ted,Jack and Dougal!!!
|
An excellent pub now in the safe hands of the ambitious Hidden Brewery. The Cornubia - Latin for testicles, well actually something else with equally little to do with the pub - has always been a good pub blighted by a rathe hidden location and a series of badly-backed owners (hello Nick! hello Tisbury! hello the last incarnation of Smiles!). One of the best pubs in a city that has the best range of pubs of any UK cities.
|
I too would heartily recommend this pub. Fantastic selection of unusual real ales- when I went last many were from the north-east, surprisingly! (e.g. Northumbria brewery)
|
One of the best pubs i have visited in Bristol. Had a great night in here Saturday, so much that i came back on Sunday for the cider festival. There is a good choice of beers and the atmosphere was lively and Ross and Karen were wonderful hosts. U are made to feel welcome and its a great place to sample some brilliants beers. I would recommend this little boozer to all beer drinkers.
|
Prob one of the best pints of real ale in bristol n such a selection,8/10
|
Have been in here a few times over the past weeks and every time there seems to be a different beer on, all at tip-top condition. Ross & Karen really have this place kicking (couldn't get in the door friday, prob due to beer fest!!) Seems to me that the right brewery has taken over a bristol institution, and they have got excellent people to run it. Let's hope it lasts!! Only criticsm is that it gets a bit smokey, but we can put up with that for a few more months! If you like beer and good company this 'Hidden' gem is for you!!
|
Back to it's best after it's untimely clossure last year. Ross and Karen, though young, are clearly showing how a pub should be managed with a friendly welcome and goodbye for all, not just the regulars. Beer is top notch condition at all times and the food is nice good value pub grub. The previous regime was awful so it's nice to see such an institution being run so well. Keep up the good work!
|
Great to see this pub reopened and back on form. The Hidden beers were in top condition, service was good and atmosphere lively.
|
I went to the re-opening of this pub last December and was delighted by the welcome, the people and most of all the beer. There is a lot of potential here and not just the "Hidden Potential" on sale at the bar.
|
Yeah cheeseman,was there last night meself,the friendly staff you would have seen were Ross and Karen,landlord and landlady-they are spot on at what they do. Great range of Hidden brews,plus last nights guests were Jacobi from Carmarthenshire and Country Life from Devon. RCH,Keynsham and Black Country recent visitors. HIDDEN welcome outside breweries in their pubs-JOHN GILBERT HOPBACK TAKE NOTE PLEASE!!!!
Unashamed plug-FOOD STARTING SOON.
Place is a bit of a victim of its own success lately,gets smoky-but roll on July and the outcasts will be outcasted to the street where they belong!!!!
What a difference in a pub compared to its last incarnation(the coughing banshee......),its nearly back to being as good as when Mike Blake was there,and on current form it will surpass that.
|
Hats off to the Hidden Brewery, firstly for saving this Bristol gem and secondly for making such a bloody good fist of it. I checked it out last week and it was knob on! Beers were first class and the service was very friendly. The place was buzzing too with a good mix of folks from all walks of life and ages. TOP TOP TOP.
|
Very pleased to see this pub open again, and better than ever, in my view. It seems to have been cleaned up a bit, the staff are more on the ball, and the beer range remains one of the best in town. Only 5 minutes from the station, too...
|
As tobo says, this pub is very much open. And thank the Lord it is - it's the best in town. Takes a bit of finding...pop into the Kings Head first if you're stuck and ask for directions!)
Now run by the Hidden Brewery (whose beers are very good, and they offer an excellent dark on handpull as well) this is a top-notch old-school alehouse, inhabited by real drinkers and some real characters.
On my last visit me and my mate were accosted by an Andy Fordham lookalike, and spent a surreal 30 minutes discussing the merits of Scottish Lower Division football (do you know who the best-supported team are in terms of catchment area? Apparently it's St Johnstone). Thank Christ my mates is half-Scot and can name Stenhousemuir's top scororer...
Anyway, this place is a must. I can't recommend it highly enough. A big 10/10
|
It's so good to have this place back. The Hidden Brewery seem to want a balanced policy of showcasing their own beers (fair enough, especially when they're so good) and also providing other good beers from micros not often (ever?) seen in Bristol. Food will be served soon once they've got the kitchen sorted. Happy days are here again!
|
The Cornubia is back.
Now a Hidden Brewery house.
It was all up and running, with a good selection of beers and a commitment to providing the best from small breweries, at midday today (1st Dec).
|
The BBC - Bristol Brewery Company - are rumoured to have taken this over and are set to re-open - any more knowledge anyone?
|
It was on the way down ever since Mike left-he was cracked at the best of times but kept great ale and ran the place fine!
Smiles (or whoever they ended up as) got involved with a poor effort at a get-rich-quick scheme,management and staff were unwelcoming under their ownership,it was bound to all go wrong-A SHAME.
Try the Bridge or the Kings Head nearby for good ale.
|
Another tragedy in Bristol publand, following on from the sudden and unwelcome demise of the Brewery Tap, although in this case listing prevented the owner (whoever they may be - it's shrouded in mystery) from gutting the interior and only the basics have been removed.
This was a superior pub for the traditionalist who prefers excellent and interesting ale ranges, good food and a genuinely Victorian atmosphere. After 12 years of closure it re-opened in 1997 and after a slow start really became a mecca for real ale enthusiasts and beyond. I never dreamt that it would face oblivion once again so soon. What a waste.
|
It's shut.
This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang but a whimper.
|
hard-to-find pub with good beers and a very laid-back Bristolian atmosphere
|
Bl**dy brilliant little pub - well worth finding. They're really friendly, great chioce of beer and cider (try the lager with the gold rimmed glass - can't remember what it's called...). They have open fires, tables outside... and yuo might spiot a real life fireman ladies ;-)
Dog friendly, lush handmade pork pies, haven't ried any of the daytime food...
|
Tucked round the back of the central firestation this boozer used to be the 'Brewery Tap' for the now defunct Georges/Courage Brewery. Some of the ales can be a bit obscure and one night I tried em all and did'nt find one to my palate. Great atmos though and well worth sniffing out.
|
A bit hit and miss, but generally a hit. Good beer, varied choice. Food is on/off, but a nice boozer tucked out the way.
|
Fine pub after work - good ales and tables outside. Landlord obviously made a big difference. Works for me
|
Nice little boozer, hidden behind awful modern developemnets. We were made to feel very welcome by the locals, and this cheered us up after another play-off final defeat for Lincoln.
Well worth seeking out.
|
Really nice traditional pub, looks totally out of place surrounded by all those tower blocks but well worth a visit.
Excellent range of real ale, cider and also Belgium beers. Staff very friendly and helpful. Can't wait to visit it on my next trip to Bristol.
|
It's changed management, it's safe to come back! Same superb beer, lovely food and unfortunately the same horrible carpet! Give it a go.
|
Is this really the Cornubia that people have been in recently? Can't believe it - I went in there at the beginnin of last year and could recommend it with a 10/10 - Sadly I didn't know about this site then, and haven't been in Bristol for a while now. There IS (and I know there is!) another good pub nearby called the Bridge Inn (or Bridge Tavern?) a small pub which is more welcoming when you go in. I shall have to try this pub out again as I simply can't believe it's met up with such a disaster :-(
|
Gutted, used to be a great pub, landlords attitude towards people who have been regulars of the pub for the last 4 years is unbelievable, come back Mike, its never been the same since you left.
Kevin - 3 Feb 2004 17:32 |
Has gone down hill.
After a long wait for food, one of our party was served something close to what he ordered; a few minutes later the new manager appeared and made a comment along the lines of "look what you've done you've eaten someone else's food". This was followed up by a succession of offensive comments each time this guy walked past our table, and culminated in him demanding that we move to allow other people to sit down and eat. For a moment I wondered if we'd stumbled into McDonalds.
In case you're wondering, we were behaving ourselves! The manager on the other hand was not.
No problem with the location, the pub, the beer, the other customers or the other bar staff - but if this is how the place is run then perhaps McDonalds would be preferable.
Alex - 3 Feb 2004 16:22 |
Terrible - used to be great service under the management of Mike. People in our offices have used this pub as a regular watering hole for over 5 years. Have just been kicked out for sitting quietly at a table with a full pint of beer. Apparently the manager needed the table for people to eat at. We were a group of 8 people who'd all eaten and bought 2 drinks and so spent a not inconsiderable sum for a lunch hour. The manager was extremely aggressive and rude. The rest of the staff seemed friendly enough and were apologetic for his behaviour but unfortunately we won't be returning.
Wendy - 3 Feb 2004 14:09 |
Previously twice winners of the local CAMRA award this unspoilt Victorian pub always has 4 ales on ( predominately from microbreweries ) and usually a perry or cider.
Jeff Mead - 24 Nov 2003 16:49 |
Hallelujah! Found it!
Worth the struggle, old pub like an oasis of tradition with modern development all round.
Beers like a mini-festival. Suits and Bristol crusties mixing in joint appreciation (joint appreciation?) of real ale.
Vindaloo - 11 Sep 2003 09:02 |
A quality selection of real ales - I reccommend the Perry and also the pickled eggs.
Nick - 16 May 2003 14:40 |
One of Bristol's top two real ale pubs.
It has just changed ownership, but the new landlord promises to keep it the same. Hurray!
Paul - 6 May 2003 13:16 |
I visited on 08/03/2003 and had a fantastic end to a long pub crawl. Great range of ales here, and very friendly staff and locals made this an evening to remember. Some quite interesting and unusual flavour crisps - I had black olive & garlic! Recommended - A gem. PS: Karl (re your comment of 05/11/2002) - e-mail me at any time matey!
|
always full of firemen, mmmm
karl - 5 Nov 2002 02:39 |
best real ale in Bristol
Bill Jones - 17 Oct 2002 19:52 |
excellent ale house in a central location ,pub games good freindly atmosphere
justin - 7 Oct 2002 20:27 |
