please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
OMG what a horrible rip off joint this place is.
Rip off prices, piss poor service and undrinkable beer. If you complain that the pint of shite they have served you is undrinkable, they say "no one else has complained" even though every one in the place is complaining. Best not to go there.
Nice view.
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Although this pub is titled The Avon Gorge Hotel, it does have it�s own identity and is known as The White Lion. Although it is the hotel bar, it�s got it�s own entrance and many punters would probably be unaware of the fact that it is attached to a hotel. The main draw is undoubtedly the very large patio area at the back with a fantastic, uninterrupted view Brunel�s Suspension Bridge as well as much of the gorge from which the hotel takes it�s name. This is a popular spot and gets packed on a nice summer�s day when it can be tricky to find a seat. I have on occasions seen a BBQ going as well. An Australian relative was rather bemused by the plastic shrubbery however.
Inside it�s a little less appealing. The walls are painted in a slightly depressing shade of maroon, and there are many blackboards advertising forthcoming sporting fixtures that are being shown. On this occasion there was a very large projection screen in one corner showing the football, as well as a couple of plasma�s dotted around. A sports bar in an upmarket hotel seems an odd combination. The floor is striped wood and there are lots of pine tables and chairs around as well as a few sofa�s by the large windows. The bar area itself is an island in the middle of the room and is a trendy sort of affair with marble counter top and chrome pillars.
I didn�t check the menu, but food was always quite popular as I recall from previous visits. Last night they appeared to be doing some sort of a curry deal that certainly smelt good. Service was ok, although the barman didn�t appear to have much in the way of personality. However, they were quite quiet on a recent Monday evening visit so there shouldn�t be any problems. In the summer it can be a frustrating experience with the numbers of bar staff being far short of what is required, and the staff seeming to have little idea of whose turn it is to be served next or even how to work efficiently. A ten minute scrum at the bar is not unusual. Similarly my recollection of prices from previous visits is that they�re quite expensive, although last night�s �7.70 for a couple of pints and a bottle of Corona didn�t seem too bad. Either they�ve had a change of policy of they jack their prices up in the summer to take advantage of the good weather.
The beer and cider choice was disappointing, with Butcombe being the solitary beer offering, and Bulmers the only cider. In summary I would have to say the only reason to really visit here is for the patio in the summer which is a fantastic spot. Otherwise there are plenty of far better pubs just a very short walk away.
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A great waste , with a few minor amendments , this could easily be one of the great place's in the country
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Have to agree with all the other comments-incredibly slow service, overpriced drinks and food, useless staff. Only redeems itself because of its wonderful location.
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What more can I say other than top repeat all that's said before.
PLEASE DO NOT SPEND MONEY AT THIS PUB. IF YOU WANT TO ENJOY THE VIEW BUY A FEW CANS FROM THE OFFIE AND DRINK THEM IN THEIR GARDEN. THE BAR STAFF ARE TOO STUPID TO REALISE WHAT YOU ARE DOING, YOU SAVE MONEY AND GET A DECENT DRINK TO BOOT
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This pub is overpriced and the bar staff are inept. The service so slow you would think the bar staff are on holiday and to top it all, the beer selection is so rubbish you may as well buy a can of beer from the corner shop and sit on the wall outside
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H'MM ,The view is great.
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Inept and, worse, complacent. They just know they get rammed because of the view so, hey why bother with quality or service? 2/10 for the view only. Pity you can't take your own beer & sandwiches.
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Echoing other reviews, cold coffee, flat beer and slow service! This place is only still open because of it's location, not it's own reputation!
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The setting of this pub is priceless, and the view wonderful, but the service is just piss poor.
Gormless bar staff standing around scratching their arses while people a waiting to be served. The food is dire, beer quality below average but the prices are through the roof.
Plenty of people go there but I cant imagine many go back
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The Bar is to small for the numbers drinking and the poor service, sloppy bar staff has to be seen to be believed!Despite this the place is packed out on a sunny day.Butcombe beers now served at inflated prices and not that well kept.Will try picnic option next time!
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Can only agree with the comments about staff. Barmen should realise that they work in a SERVICE industry. Nice views of the gorge though.
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You don't need to worry about the bar area of this place, it's all about the beer garden. The huge and comfortable outside area is an absolute treat in the Summer months. Probably not somewhere you would want to spend an entire day at, but for a few afternoon pints in the sunshine you really can't beat it.
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Apart from the sun terrace there is no way I would drink in this pub. The beer is outragously expensive, try �3.10 for blackthorn (the only cider they sell). There are no Ales at all and the service is very very slow. Staff are happy to polish glasses when there are 20 people waiting! The food is average and again, very very expensive, �9.50 for a burger! My suggestion would be sitting on the green just up the road if it's sunny, same view and you can have a picnic.
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Packed out when the sun shines, drinks and food not cheap,service painfully slow due to sheer numbers but the view is one of the best in the country!
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This was always destined to be a honeypot for overprivileged students especially in the pst-exam season, and the beautiful terrace overlooking the gorge would be jam-packed with rich young things all paying handsomely to quaff their jugs of Pimm's. It is the best sun-trap in Clifton, so fair enough. The funriture was neat but comfortable, and there was a stylish air to the bar area. They also used to serve rather a good pint of Smiles (long before it was surrendered to Highgate under licence), and despite its Ascot-ish pretentions, could provide a nice alternative to other pubs even for the traditionalist.
That was in the '90s. From a recent visit, on a sunny day, it seems the same applies, but in my view they've sacrificed the formerly stylish and comfortable interior for a by-numbers, corporatised, island bar design, predictably decked out with tacky chrome and minimalist touches. The service was appalling, the prices even more inflated than previously, there was no sign of any decent beer, and frankly without the terrace, this could've been any second-rate trendy bar in any town or city. What a waste. Notwithstanding the suntrap, I shan't be back.
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Amazing sun-terrace out the back overlooking the Avon gorge and the Clifton suspension bridge. Good drinks if pricey, and service is rubbish on busy days but it's worth the wait!
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