Tobacco Factory, Southvilleback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
A queer one this, and no mistake. A vast square space with a bar running almost the length of one wall. A concrete ceiling has pipes running across it. The tables and chairs would look more at home in a cafe. The atmosphere was non-existent.
On my visit the handpumps were dispensing three beers from Bristol Beer Factory and one from Cotswold Spring. The taps were serving BBF Milk Stout, Ashton cider and a couple of lagers. The two beers I tried, BBF Sunrise and Cotswold Spring Stunner were disappointing. Neither were anywhere near cold enough, and the Cotswold beer had a weird smell.
I won't be rushing back.
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Large open-plan bar area with lots of sofas, tables and chairs also with beanbags on the stage area. Quite busy lateish on a Tuesday evening with a number of football followers after a nearby Bristol City game but no rowdiness whatsoever with the home supporters subdued after an unexpected defeat. Three ales on with Sunrise and 7 from the Bristol Beer Factory and Wormcatcher IPA from Late Knights. Cannot comment on the food as they had finished serving but the menu looked interesting with some unusual offerings.
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Visited for the first time proper in September having last been in and out after it first opened 8 years ago assuming it had no cask beer available. Looks like I might've been a little hasty in that judgement for it still appears that way today, but Bristol Beer Factory's excellent head brewer, Mr Simon Bartlett, put me straight and assured me that some - though not all - is real beer but dispensed by electric pump as opposed to a handpulled beer engine. So it's not all kegged then?! Oh well better late than never. We (a large assembly of around 10 people) all tucked ourselves in to a couple of splendid pints of BBF beer ranging from the Sunrise through to the No 7, via possibly the most innovative beer-du-jour, the floral and lip-smackingly-satisfying Acer.
The Tobacco Factory was indeed the project that spearheaded the regeneration of the North Street area (not quite "South Bristol" as George Ferguson, its entrepreneurial creator with the Midas Touch who just happens to be running as independent mayor for the city), and is clearly set up to be much more than just a pub: the large revitalised industrial building hosts a restaurant, theatre and is essentially a well-loved community centre for the mixed local clientele. Happily, Mr Ferguson was the one who approached Mr Bartlett in 2004 about starting a brewery there, so whatever your views on him, those who enjoy BBF wares owe a debt to his foresight.
Perhaps not the most characterful or memorable of pub experiences, as the main area is like a large canteen or school assembly hall with little features to distinguish the indoors, though outside has much to commend it. But that's irrelevant really, as I'm confident that the whole facility is much more that just a boozer to the locals.
Not perhaps a regular drop-in for the pure pubgoer (my rating reflects that and isn't a measure of the whole project per se), especially as BBF beer can be supped in far more engrossing and intimate surroundings (stand up the Grain Barge and Barley Mow), but a worthy venture and certainly deserving of a visit.
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A large and somewhat impersonal venue, it does nonetheless seem very popular and was the original bar in this area that kick-started the whole regeneration of this end of North Street.
It�s essentially just one very large, industrial looking room crammed full of tables and chairs with a couple of odd sofa�s scattered around. The harsh acoustics means it can be quite noisy when it�s busy, which it invariably seems to be. There is a small raised section at one end which has a few bean bags on it. Unusual, but again this seems a popular spot for people to chill out and survey the rest of the pub.
The d�cor is very industrial as previously mentioned, with a concrete ceiling and all pipes and other services on display, plus a solitary disco glitter ball which looked a little out of place. Wails are plain brick although witch a selection of artwork dotted around. There is a long bar at the back running almost the length of the room, with a food servery down at one end, plus a selection of cupcakes and the like displayed on the bar counter. There is a smaller room off to the rear, and a small courtyard area out the back.
Food is of the �trendy� variety rather than your traditional pub grub. Think lentils, halloumi and roasted red peppers and you�ll get the general idea, with most of the mains being around the �9 mark and a selection of light bites at around �6.50. Beers on tap were all from the Bristol Beer Factory, with their Acer, Sunrise and No. 7. Ciders were Ashton Press and Bath Ales� Bounders.
I didn�t come across the problem that some other posters have experienced with their being loads of kids around, but then it was a Friday evening. I�m sure it may well be very different on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon.
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Huge, which means that the atmoshpere can be a bit odd. Good choice of locally brewed ales. Worth a vist, but very impersonal.
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Stopped here on way to footie. Odd dispense method for beers - there are real ale casks in the back room but they served under pressure through keg fonts. Beer was OK but the famed Bristol stout was a bit cold and tasteless. A bit of an aircraft hanger of a pub. Next time I visit I shall try out a few of the smaller pubs.
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Only been their once, not my type of pub, but I definitely won't go a second time. The owner has been influential in trying to scupper the Bristol Stadium plan, so if you want to see World Cup football in Bristol, or have any support for City, please give this place a miss.
If not, feel free to make up your own mind. I have not rated this place as that would be an abuse of the marking system.
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Not impressed. Went for the BBF beer but they only had keg. The stout wasn't bad, but not great either - would be better on cask. Pub is big and tatty and seems to be aimed at mothers and kids. Food is of the pretentious kind for people with imaginary faddy diseases like Gluten Intolerance. Look to the Watershed to see how this sort of thing should be done. Won't be going back. 4/10 for the beer and 0/10 for the pub.
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Totally agree with previous comment, the Watershed and the Boca Bar in Briz have the same problem on a Sunday, absolutely useless middle class parents who want their progeny to 'express themselves' whilst totally pissing everyone else off. Can you please choose more appropriate venues for your children or at least make sure they are tended to.
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This was just horrendous - screaming kids running ragged whilst Mums sat sipping glasses of red wine and ignoring said offspring. I saw two blokes get up and move to a less kindergarten like area of the place after parents ignored the fact that their bloody sprogs were annoying them and threatening to knock over their beer. Absolutely full of middle class toss pots who think that the best way to entertain their children on a Sunday afternoon is to take em to the pub and let them sit and watch them read the Observer. Will not be back. For the record, I used to come here a few years ago when it first opened and was the first outlet for Bristol Beer Factory beers. It used to be OK. It isn't now.
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Always smells like a loo, and is cold and uninviting. Very pretentious clientele. Totally overrated.
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I actually suggested this place to BITE last year but haven't commented until now. (And it's not good......)
Full of yummy-mummies & arty-farty meejah types with their screaming, bawling progeny. It's like a creche sometimes! The glare from the assorted laptops must be a health hazard. The staff preen & pose and eventually serve you. Only worth visting for a quick drink before going to Teoh's restaurant next door.
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Very busy, canteen like in noise and atmosphere, yet people are clearly enjoying themselves. A definite bonus in the rejuvenation of this part of town.
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Failed to tick a lot boxes for me - big, cold, formulaic and desperately trying to be trendy by charging expensive prices. Packed to the rafters but less atmosphere than a funeral.
Basically, this is just a big room with achingly trendy muzak selling overpriced lager to rich students and wannabe arty types.
Not good.
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