225-229 Cheltenham Road,
BRISTOL,
BS6 5QP
(0117) 9445 169
The ViewBristol Review
A pub that seems to have reinvented itself a number times over the years, the Bishops, as it’s now named, comes across like an upmarket version of a Wetherspoons – with more originality and no music ban.
The Venue
Under the shadow of The Arches, occupying a four-gabled section of Gloucester Road, the Bishops is conspicuous with its large sign and plate-glass facade.
Inside, the brightly lit open space is furnished with neutral yet tasteful decor. Creamy stone-coloured paint coats the walls, the varnished floor and metal finishing shines, and the odd framed print of someplace other than Bristol adds a window of interest.
One of its attractions is that it’s the only place in the area with a big screen for televised sports. You’re guaranteed your sport of interest here, though when a game is on it’s kept separate in a secluded, cubbyhole-like corner of the pub – the less to irritate the indifferent, but fans will have to strain their necks.
To its management’s credit, the Bishops is pretty well spotless at any time of day, and the absence of alcohol odour makes it an ideal place for a quiet and inexpensive afternoon coffee. As the pub fills up with its evening crowd, a posse of well-trained and friendly polo-shirted staff materialise behind the immaculately clean bar, and they're prompt to serve.
By night, the music on offer tends towards insipid house and mainstream chart. Whether you prefer the atmosphere this creates to a lack of music depends largely on your taste in tunes.
The People
A young, studenty bunch, reflective of the area, makes up a large chunk of the Bishops' regulars, though you’ll also see the occasional lone drinker sipping a beer and reading the paper. A smattering of rowdier laddish types might also make itself present on a weekend night, but the atmosphere tends to stay cordial and relaxed.
The Food
The menu here is decent enough – well off the bottom rung, though not quite into the gastropub league. At £5.70, the classic burger is succulent if unremarkable for its price - it’s certainly not a ground-beef job, and it fills a gap, and the small pile of chips hugging the side of the plate are nice and crispy.
Other more expensive options range from pub grub faves like lasagne and chilli to marginally more exotic offerings such as the risotto primavera.
The Drink
Apparently mindful of its location in cider city, the Bishops has an array of chilled ciders packing its fridges – from Suffolk’s Aspall to Sweden’s Kopparberg – as well as Old Rosie on tap. There are a few real ales on the go too.
Keeping with the ecclesiastical theme there's Abbot Ale, and at least one guest beer that’s rotated every month or so. There’s a similarly good choice of lagers, and Peroni on draught isn’t something you see every day.
At 50p a pint more expensive than most chain pubs, you might need to take out that extra fiver if you go here rather than budget boozing, but it’ll probably be worth it.
The Last Word
If you’ve got you’re sights set on a unique experience then this might not be it. Nevertheless, there’s many a less pleasant place to stop for a drink or two, or a bite to eat, and though you’re unlikely to be in for any surprises you probably won’t leave disappointed either.
Bishops Tavern has been reviewed by 1 users