Chelsea Inn, Eastonback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Not much changed from precious review. Loud punky music playing. Had a cider as didn't recognise the beers, tho' sometimes I feel adventurous. Most people were in the garden around a open "camp" fire. Seemed civilised enough but didn't hang around.
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After a good walk from Lawrence Hill train station via the old rail line and the back streets you come to this unusual little pub in an area where you would not expect a real ale bar! On the corner of Chelsea Street and Bloy Street (read the plaque on the pub wall) with plenty of chimney pots around. Although it was due to open at 1pm I had to hang around for 20 miutes until the front was unlocked and finally allowed me access to what is an eclectic bar. A small counter; 4 real ales a couple of draught ciders and Christmas reggae music being played! Sofas and leopard skin chairs a piano and music turntables all added to the slightly off-beat interior! The door to the Gents sit-down is something to behold. The beer range was OK but as I had the first out of the barrel it was possibly a bit warm and maybe needed pulling through a bit more. I tried an Arbor ale but they also had Jolly Boat and Wickwar. The barmaid was very pleasant and I would imagine that this place has a great atmosphere in the evenings. Well worth going out of your way for and as I found out when leaving it is only a short walk to Stapleton Road station.
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Nice t o be able to comment on a pub via a proper computer for once - my work terminal where I used to do all my reviews from was blocking BITE but happily the techies seem to have relented!
Visited this pub for the 2nd time of attempting but only the 1st successfully. Persistence in this area of Bristol may not always pay off, but it was the trusty 2011 and '12 Good Beer Guides which insisted t his was worthy of attention and so we persevered, finding it open for business last Saturday early evening.
The Chelsea won't be to every pubgoer's taste; it is an earthy, entirely unpretentious and slightly edgy experience to drink there, and the clientele are somewhat eclectic. But this certainly doesn't mean it lacks character and interest - quite the contrary in fact - and the beer and cheer makes it more appealing.
I think 5 cask ales appeared at the pumps last weekend. Some were local delicacies (Thunderbox Porter) but others were surprisingly far-flung (Upham Ale). 3 were sampled by the half and each were found in impeccable form - really flavoursome and an intriguing mix. Not everyone was an affirmed ale quaffer but still the turnover must be good.
The barmaid was friendly enough and efficient, and although we probably stuck out like sore arses nobody seemed to object to our presence. Loud reggae-orientated music was playing and decks/speakers were very prominent, so clearly this is a haunt of music lovers. Again not to everyone's palate, but somehow entirely appropriate in this environment.
All in all, I really liked this pub. This won't get unanimous approval, but for me it's an 8.
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any pub in an area such as this these days has gotta be a bonus!two ales on cask were wickwar cotswold way and milk street zig zag,the zig zag was good and very quaffable,interesting pub and interesting clientele,Hmm 5/10
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This is an interesting pub. It�s a pleasant enough building with some exposed brickwork and a couple of pianos in the bar, but there are some odd touches as well. For example the male and female toilets are denoted by pictures of Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen on the doors rather than the more usual �Ladies� and �Gents�. Possibly they don�t get too many ladies and gentlemen frequenting the establishment. The loos themselves could do with a bit of attention, the urinal is obviously incapable of flushing since the pipe from the cistern simply stops in mid air.
There�s a courtyard garden out the back with some unusual sun umbrellas � they look like something from the Caribbean, made of a straw like material but in bright colours like orange and pink. Much of the walls are covered in murals, some of which are quite attractive, but there�s also some more graffiti like art, such as a bloke with boobs, and a bloke sat on the loo. As I said, an interesting pub. One wall is dominated by paintings of well known corporate logos, with a few letters altered � Ford becomes Fraud, Shell becomes Smell, McDonalds becomes MuckDonalds, etc.
Back inside the pub and there�s a selection of old PC�s with free internet access. This takes recycling to it�s ultimate as apparently they were all machines that had been checked out by their previous owners and reclaimed by the pub. There are also various flyers around advertising community events such as a �workshop on gangs and positive alternatives�, and a pile of free papers called The Voice, which is apparently Britain�s biggest selling black newspaper. How that can be the case when it�s free though, I�m not entirely sure.
Beers on this occasion were Hopback Taiphoon, Cumberland Ale and Pedigree. Ciders were Thatcher�s Heritage & Gold. There was also an Elder Fizz Champagne Beer, whatever that is. Landlord seemed friendly enough, although one of the punters was unable to string a sentence together without interspersing every word with f***.
In many ways I�m sure this is a decent community pub, but it�s certainly a little rough around the edges and not somewhere I�d take the wife.
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good medium sized community pub , only 2 real ales on brakspear oxford gold ,and ww right flaner , quality good , and I'm informed by my local friend they usally have more than two real ales on yeh not bad.
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I moved to easton after living in south london and encountered the chelsea inn and i've never looked back!! the people i've met here are like a family. There is an amazing selection of ales a top shelf at prices you would envy anywhere else!! It is never predictable with the wide range of live music, dj's, and the bar maids/men that entertain everyone that happens to pass... there are some brilliant pubs in easton but the chelsea tops them all!!
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First pub i tried after moving to Easton. Looks quite traditional from the outside and i was looking forward to seeing what they had on offer. when i walked in my first impession was to walk out again (more space cadets than Nasa). But i stayed and bought a drink then went to the garden area for a smoke. But when i got out there i took one look around and left the pub.
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What a great pub. Unfortunately no pool but otherwise exactly what the area needs. Very impressed
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Friendly staff (including Kid Carpet, last time I was there!), interesting ciders, Free (?) internet access provided by bristolwireless.net
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Top top pub. I've been a tad scathing on pubs in my old stomping ground, but this is a gem. Excellent and varied beers, both ale and lager, plus some good gliders! Really relaxed, friendly pub with internet access via 2 computers in the back. Does have a garden but never seen it open.
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Great little local pub. Always busy with chilled out people. Live Jazz on a Tuesday, top Open Mic night on Wednesday, great DJ on a Thursday and usually a live acoustic gig on a Sunday. 4 top real ales always on tap. Kronenbourg Blanc available (yum). No fruit machines or pool tables, great art exhibition.
George Guillebaudus - 18 Jan 2005 20:22 |
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