please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The opening hours are the confusing thing here nowadays. There's a notice on the front door telling you when it's supposed to be open, but invariably when I've passed recently, it's been closed. The nearby Volunteer Tavern appears to be putting more effort into getting the punters in!
If you're thinking of taking the wife shopping and sneaking off for a pint, unfortunately this place is likely to be closed.
|
I'd just booked into the excellent hotel next door so popping in for a pint during the afternoon. The pub was almost empty with a couple of drinkers in the small garden. The Butcombe was OK, nothing more, but the thumping musak didn't do my tinitus any favours so I finished up and left. Perhaps it's more lively at night?
|
Happily, that rather run-down image that greets you above on this site needs to be updated, as the Phoenix has at last lived up to its name and risen from the ashes.
It won't please everybody. It is now a far more modern, contemporary venue indoors, despite its fine Georgian exterior having been sensitively-restored. There are blue lights, 'comfy' furniture, spartan decor generally, and the suspicion of a makeshift dancefloor area at the rear. However, this presumably is what is considered to appeal most keenly to the nearby neighbours, and any passing trade the pub might get, such as it is. Perhaps if its future as an off-beat city centre pub is to endure this is the correct way to go. And let's face it there'd have been little point in trying to recreate its rustic rough 'n' ready heyday as a local real ale mecca.
But that's not to say the new owners have turned their backs on cask beer altogether. A couple still feature, and although one was a little lively, the other sampled was in perfectly good form. Very quiet as it was Sunday afternoon, but a few customers dribbled in during my short visit. The bar was presided over by a very engaging young woman who was more than comofortable to chat with a stranger like me. Last time I was in this pub she was probably only about 5! Oh well, can't dwell on the past forever.
She happily pointed me in the way of the Volunteer, where I was originally headed, but I'm glad I had a chance to stop off at the 'New' Phoenix. I'm pleased it has been reinvented, and despite the plainly challenging location and economic climate, I hope it prospers.
|
very nice little pub with friendly service and lovely comfy sofas to laze in.Three handpumps although only one beer on being arbor hunny beer which was good and a snip at �2.50 a pint,7/10
|
New opening hours mean it's now 4pm to 11pm Monday to Thursday, 12:30pm Friday & Saturday and 3pm to 10pm Sundays.
|
Live Report: Some sort of party on and place packed out. Butcombe Ok @ 2.50gbp, but too noisy and appears full of people from the hotel nearby dodging their expensive residents bar?
|
As TalbotHill has mentioned below, this is certainly a transformation from it�s previous incarnation. It�s quite dark, although not gloomy, with much black paint on the walls and ceiling as well as a dark wooden floor.
There�s a long bar on the right with a few wines chalked up on a board. The furniture is a mix of different styles, with some leather sofa�s, an old leather bench car seat from a Jaguar and an interesting table with a comic book set in to the top. The bar is illuminated with some unusual �bird cage� lamps, complete with a small model bird inside. The remainder of the lighting is pendant lights with over-sized orange shades. A rather jazzy mirror made up of small mirror sections all set at different angles completes the interior. There is also a few tables outside, overlooking a tiled square, which seems to have been much improved since my previous visit.
Beers on tap were Doom Bar, Butcombe and Arbor�s Citra, the latter being priced at a very reasonable �2.50. The solitary cider was Thatcher�s Gold.
|
After a lot of delays, the Phoenix re-opened at 5:00pm on Friday 14th January 2011. It�s had serious amount of work carried out in the last few months and for many former customers, it�ll be a total contrast to the old days. In short, the place was stripped back to the brickwork and started again from scratch!
A new hardwood floor, leather sofas, piped modern "Musak", but gone are the old barrels behind the bar which many old regulars were perhaps expecting to see return along with the Draught Bass.
Handpull-wise, there�s now Butcombe Bitter, Sharp�s Doom Bar as well as Weston�s Cider. On Keg, there�s Heineken, Amstel & Moretti Lagers, Thatcher�s Gold & Draught Guinness. Prices reflect the rest of �Town� with Butcombe at �3.00 a pint. At the top end, there�s Moretti Lager at �3.80! I tried the Butcombe and can say as a Butcombe drinker it�s as it should be.
|
First things first , good to see this pub reopened . 2nd needs to get rid of the photo , as looks nothing like the current pub , which has had a major overhaul.
Looks as though they've spent a fair bit of money on the interior /exterior of this pub, which is nice inside , though must be said is aimed at the twenty somethings.
Beer choice of only Butcombe or Doombar . I was on a glider day yesterday , and drank the real cider "Westons First Quality at 5% which was �3.50 a pint quality was alright but that is rather expensive, didn't check the beer prices.
|
Re-Opened today, 14th January 2011
|
According to the new owners, this should open 2nd January 2011 after what is now two years closed. The decor is certainly going to surprise a lot of old regulars too. Good luck to them I say!
|
Builders doing a lot in a short time - Apparently due to open mid-December 2010?
|
Builders now in the place for several weeks and all the allied trades appear to be doing a top job. At the rate things are going, it'll be open in December as has been suggested by the lads working on site?
|
The builders moved in this week and earlier today the water and electricity people were outside too. Spreking to one of the contractors, he thinks they're trying to have the place open for December 2010?
|
Could it be good news here at last?
I have it on good authority that the Phoenix changed hands last week (end of August) and that the new owners have the keys. In that I pass the place on a regular basis, it'll be interesting to see any progress.
|
Many, many, people have looked at this place since my last review and they came and went. One chap from Swindon came, along with his Architect and Builder. I asked them if they know the area (No) and they carried on and surveyed the building. To date, nothing more appears to have been done, apart from someone pinching the light fittings from outside!
|
I pass here on a daily basis. There have been a lot of prospective buyers been shown around the place since it went up for sale Freehold. Someone also turned up and pinched the remaining brass light fittings outside while no-one was about!
I spoke to a couple of people that were looking at the place and the impression I got was that it's unlikely to re-open as a Pub. More flats I think?
|
Up for sale FREEHOLD @ �150,000.
Signs went up this week.
|
Up for rent via agents James A Baker.
Rent is circa �10,000 PA. Locals told me it wants �100,000 spent on the interior and that probably misses out the recent notice on the outside warning you that the place has Asbestos problems too.
|
Closed New Years Eve 2008 after the City Council put the rent up to the point where the tenants could not afford to continue.
The pub is indeed boarded up and up for rent. It's now also in the middle of a paved area and is hidden away from the main road, so I guess it's unlikely that it will re-open in the short-term?
Well done Bristol City Council, contributing to the disappearing pubs of Britain!
|
Now appears to be boarded up....
|
As other's have said, a proper old boozer, and none the worse for that. Moog's partner will be pleased to here that they now have Blackthorn on draft!
I'd never been to this until recently as it was a bit out the way, but with the CC redevelopment, there's no excuse. In case you're not sure where it is, go over the new bridge to the car park and as you get to the end it's pretty much right underneath you on the right hand side.
|
I've often walked past this pub but went in for the first time yesterday. As people have said, basic boozer with great Bass from the barrel - very friendly. Failed my partner's test by not serving any decent cider - just get some bottles of Weston's Organic - but great apart from that. Hope it picks up some passing trade from the new shopping centre - perfect place for a post shop pint. Or just stay here while your partner goes shopping!
|
Superb character, a real survivor. Unchanged in many a year. Excellent Bass.
|
Visited recently,Bass was excellent. This is the only pub in Bristol that actually sells a decent pint of Bass. Surrounded by a building site but is to remain the same as before. Spoke to the amiable landlord,Merv-he was saying they're only selling 7 9 gallon barrels of Bass a week,it used be 10 before the building started. Also,it will have a "sympathetic" redecoration when the new shopping centre is finished,according to the landlord(the gaffer taped seats might even be replaced!!)
|
Been to the Pheonix again and it's nice to be back. Very nice Bass and good atmosphere.. Please don't spoil this pub.
anonymous - 23 Apr 2007 22:35 |
A basic drinkers pub, but no trouble, with bass staight out the barrel!
Priceless gem. There are not many pubs like this one as it does have a nice ATMOSPHERE and the bass is excellent.
Don't take my word for it go and try it for yourself.
anonymous - 2 Dec 2006 16:54 |
