please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
This is Bristol�s original �cider house� and is something of a local institution. This is no doubt helped by their Exhibition cider, which is proudly advertised outside and is apparently so strong it�s only served in half pint measures! They sell a lot of it, and there�s generally a couple of dozen ready poured behind the bar.
The pub has entrances at both the front and rear, although quite often the front door is locked and not in use. Once you�ve managed to get in, which appeared to be baffling quite a few people, you find a surprisingly cosy pub, with wood panelling covering the walls from floor to ceiling giving it a sort of log cabin ambience, along with wood flooring and some inset wood benches. It�s not what you�d describe as light and airy, due to only one or two very small windows. One wall had numerous photos of bands that have appeared in the pub, and these are a regular occurrence on two or three evenings a week. The pub is very popular with students and frequently gets rammed, although at 7:00pm on a recent Saturday evening visit it was surprisingly quiet.
Ciders on tap at the bar were Stowford Press, Thatcher�s Gold and their own Exhibition. These were joined by barrels racked up behind the bar dispensing Thatcher�s Traditional, Cheddar Valley, Addlestones, Old Rosie and Thatcher�s Dry. For the beer drinkers, Doom Bar and Gem were available.
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Had a horrible time when we last went here. Can't see why I would return. The bouncer seems to be having a laugh as well, and not in a good way.
LukeD - 15 Sep 2011 18:43 |
"world famous" err for what exactly? Ale choice dull as (doom and butcombe) opted for thatchers gold (�3.30) prob the best pub in clifton mind due to proper drinkers here and not toffee nosed prats,6/10
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Downhill - if ths place goes any further downhill , it will be in bower ashton , the place is now full of rugby bugers who would probably prefer a pint of dry blackthorn on the corner of the road , than a decent pint of anything , worse than that I, although I LOOK like a barn door , thats no excuse for the doorman who squared me up ,despite the fact I tried to avoid him 3 times before I eventually met him ,and he apologised, he should be dope tested , There's much better places in the village than this ,butt i'll keep them to myself
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This pub used to have a great atmos but has gone downhill in the last couple of years - cider not great and no choice of real ale to compensate - lives on it's reputation - a very dangerous thing to do as the punters pack off and go elsewhere
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I must have made a huge mistake then (re: cider). I went with my on a real ale break over the easter weekend around bristol. We tried to get into the back door of this pub which looked great and walked a couple of streets to get into the other door. The bouncer on the door looked groweled at us. Saw what the bar had on which was the usual suspects and the pub was very loud with dance music. Turned on our heels. On the way out the bouncer said "something wrong?" I said we were trying the real ale pubs in town while on holiday but have tried these ones before. We were then told to "f*ck off to a real ale pub then" Nice. Really Nice. Pub was ok. Bouncer agressive and really intimidating.
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Tend to agree with Downender , arguably Bristol's most famous Cider House .Other Drinks Stella , Brakespear was the Beer , when in Rome had a couple of nat exhibitiion . Visited last night, and the pub has bouncers on the door , the pub appeared to be running a policy of not allowing groups of males 5 and above in , the group of males in front of us were turned away . the bouncer citing this as the reasson , although it was busy inside it wasn't heaving as it has been on other visits . Perhaps this policy only applies at the weekend .Overall coming back to Downender tend to think this is a pub that lives strongly on it's famous reputation ,and I agree I think there are better Cider Venues .
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Seems to have acquired a reputation as THE cider venue in Bristol - at least according to tourist guides and websites like Ratebeer. Not up to the standard of the Orchard or Cotham Porter Stores in my opinion, but still worth visiting at least once.
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One of the best spots in Bristol a great place to start you night out. I recommend starting here and walking/ taxi to whiteladies road then down park street.
Great pub with good prices and good atmosphere. More suited to students and the young at heart, got to try it at least once.
Quite small, or could benefit from more seating. Otherwise perfect.
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Great in the summer when the sloane students are away on their daddy's yachts. In the winter it always smells of sick and the place is jammed. Don't forget to turn your trousers up and pull your trousers half way down your bum before entering.
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Went there on Saturday night. Tried the 'Exhibition' - not a cheap drink at �2 a half, but when you realise it's 12% it makes more sense. Was absoloutely packed, two people had been sick in different parts of the pbu and the plastic glasses weren't really to my liking; BUT, really good atmosphere and a real 'olde' feel to it.
Looses major points for bar staff being too busy serving to clean up vomitus ha... not that i'd want to do it either, but none the less.
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Walking in the door, the observant tippler is immediately struck by the plethora of half pint glasses in use. Upon supping the much-bugled and inncocent taste of Exhibition one is still at a loss concerning the extent these preventative, and seemingly excessive, measures. Standing up for the first trip to the gents one begins to realise the brouhaha surrounding this liquid.
Friendly staff, olde atmosphere and slightly well-to-do clientele: definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.
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The cider is deadly! But you convince yourself it's just apple juice! Best on quiet weekday evenings when you can get a table, Ushers on tap too if you want a safer bet. Being puked on by a sloane wasn't the highlight mind...
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Watch out for the lethal cider, Exhibition, its 12% and far too easy to drink alot of! Generally a good atmosphere although it can get seriously overcrowded at weekends. Worth a try as there are loads of other nice bars in that area if you arent too keen. Still not too sure if the 'students and couples only' sign on the door is serious!
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good if you like very alcoholic cider or a warm, dark and smoky drinker's "womb" but often too full and loud.
Chats - 21 Jun 2005 16:27 |
Almost certainly not as good as I remember it being, but I could be wrong.
Cider with Rosie (and Jim)
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Cider house rules - 12% Exhibition is so potent they only serve it by the half pint. Packed out on student nights. Otherwise quiet with a few dodgy regulars.
Mike Hunt - 11 May 2004 15:47 |
Mental cider. Nice atmos.
Gareth - 3 Dec 2003 15:50 |
Exhibition Cider all the way (that's 9% ABV!) Friendly pub where everyone knows your name...
anonymous - 11 Nov 2003 14:27 |
Used to drink here in my university days. Managed 13 exhibitions in one hour the record at the time was 15 by Jim Coe. Any one done better as yet?
Nick Evans - 29 May 2003 13:38 |
