Bristol, during lockdown!

[Ahleckz]

I'm thinking about having a few nights in Bristol next week. I've not been in some years, but loved it last time I went. However, concerned that it may be a waste of time at the moment.

I'd be coming down Wednesday and leaving Saturday. I get the curfew, that's fine. I'll just go out for dinner earlier. Are bars (especially the cider boat) mainly open? Do you need to book beforehand? Are the markets open? Basically, is it business as normal as it is in Glasgow or quite restricted?

Also, any good vegan (or at least restaurants with a vegan menu) for a fancy dinner? Bit last minute, but hey ho.

And finally, if I drive down where's best to park?

 

[Ahleckz]

I'm actually away at the moment in Brighton so only have my mobile but I can give you some top tips and advice when I'm back and have a keyboard. What's your vibe? Just you coming down or with a partner?

Generally, everything is business as usual, apart from the usual COVID stuff and 10pm kick out.

Hipstery, arty places. Good cocktails. Craft beer (cider?). Vegan food. Seafood. Arcade machines. That’s basically our life!

Aye, coming down with her. I’d also be going out to Chipping Sodbury (though the amazing sweet shop there is long gone!) for a few hours.

 

[Ahleckz]

Awesome, I'll give you some recommendations that'll well and truly tick those boxes when I'm back later. Do you know where you're staying yet?

Not yet, it'll be a very last minute decision (probably depending mostly on the weather forecast). Somewhere like Hotel du Vin, Mercure Grand, or Marriott Royal. Looking at the map, probably old city.

 

[Ahleckz]

For the best real cider experience in central Brizzle you need The Orchard Inn, 12 Hanover Place BS1 6XT. No frills at all, the interior is underwhelming at best, but a smashing selection of SW ciders and hot pies.

This is the info I need! cheers!
Love a pub with a pie oven.

Cool, yeah, as a resident I probably know least about hotels but take a look at Brooks Guesthouse and Harbour Hotel too. Presume you want a hotel rather than an Airbnb?

Not actually looked at Airbnb’s tbh but cool with that as well. Maybe there’s a boat Airbnb!

 

[Ahleckz]

Thanks @Russinating . Looks perfect. Annoyingly, we can't find anyone to look after our dog for 3 nights (can only get 2 nights and a 6 hour minimum drive seems far too far for only one whole day). So this trip may be delayed but appreciate your work!

 

[Ahleckz]

Can't bring with? Some Airbnbs may be dog friendly, and certainly every pub/restaurant etc is.

A guy near us even has dogs stay at his overnight for £30: https://oofwoofwalkies.com

Are the pubs and restaurants pretty dog friendly down there? Didn’t fancy the stress of worrying where we could go. Though if we stay at an Airbnb, he can be left there for a bit whilst we eat..can neevr do that at hotels

 

[Ahleckz]

Yeah, at least 90% allow dogs. Maybe some down at Wapping Wharf don't but that's because they're small; Wild Beer does. Literally every single one on North Street does apart from North Street Standard for some reason.

Obviously double check ahead but yeah, very dog friendly.

Just spoke to Hotel Du Vin, who are very dog friendly. My biggest cocern with a hotel would be that you can't leave them which makes dinner a problem but it turns out they are OK with him being left! So I think this is a go'er!

So sure, if you want to give some more specific tips now we're thinking of staying at Hotel Du Vin I'd be all ears. I'd be especialy interested in hearing about restaurants as feel we are going to have to book every dinner (going to be Wednesday - Saturday). Though I like the ideas you've put up - and, if we are going during the week then I don't imagine we'd have to book many pubs for an afternoon pint.

Edit - Booked Milk Thistle and then Tare for Thursday evening. Annoyingly, Root is full on every day. Going to book Wild Beer Co for Friday evening.

 

[Ahleckz]

It looks like left handed giant doesn’t take bookings but I’ll maybe call them later. Looks good for some scran and beer when we arrive.
Weather is looking ropey, but never mind!

The ‘rona makes city breaks much harder, normally I’d go down with a rough plan and wing most of it but feel I need to be much more organised now with bookings. Which makes me feel I may miss something, but better that than not get a table somewhere...

@Nitefly i forgot about that. It was some dodgy pub in a sketchy area with nothing going on? Hah! That was years and years ago.

 

[Ahleckz]

I'm not, but my partner is. She's not militant in anyway so doesn't mind if I have meat but I don't think taking her to a ribs ribs ribs place is exactly fair! We usually do OK and find somewhere that suits. Looking forward to this, even the parking wasn't expensive! £23 for 3 nights.

Is The Apple open? Can't find anything about it online, and enjoyed it last time I was there.

 

[Ahleckz]

Thanks for all the advice!

Stayed at Hotel du Vin, very dog friendly and a good location.

We arrived around 3pm Wednesday, and then had a walk down to the harbour side. Stopped for a drink in The Apple. Went up to Cargo and had tacos and margaritas which were fab, then a few beers in the Wild Brewing Company Co. Then had a few drinks in some pubs and ended up with a dominos at the hotel.

Thursday was a walk round the harbour, and then up to Clifton. Stopped at some cafes and bars in Clifton (found an ice cream shop that sold dog ice cream!) and ended up a late lunch at Grain Barge. Cake shop beside Christmas Steps was found which was amazing. Dog deposited back at the hotel and then We had cocktails at Milk Thistle (very good, drank everything on the menu and then the barman went off menu for a final drink). Dinner at Tare afterwards which was amazing. Great value and very tasty.

Friday morning we walked up Stokes Croft but most things were shut, and it chucked it down. Dog deposited back at the hotel as we Had a 12 o’clock lunch at Root, again very tasty. The deep fried oysters were fab. We then walked to North Road and had a wonder round the shops. Then we ended up at the arcades in the shopping area. Dog obtained, and walked to Left Handed Giant for pizza dinner and beers. Then ended up on North Street for some beers and popped into a Christmas Step pub for a nightcap.

Saturday was a walk round St Nicks market, bit disappointed with the selection tbh and then went back to Stoke Croft and bought some stuff from the porcelain shop. Lunch at pieminister. Then drove over the Clifton bridge and drove back to Glasgow.

All in all, a great trip. TARE was fantastic, though my girlfriend preferred Root. Everywhere was very dog friendly, and the people were lovely and friendly.
The city was very clean compared to Glasgow and pretty affordable.

Really good!

Bilbo enjoyed himself as well!