69-71 Gloucester Road,
Bishopston,
BRISTOL,
BS7 8AS
(0117) 942 9534
The ViewBristol Review
Despite some stiff competition, the Hobgoblin emerges as a decently priced drinking den, with a lively clientele, but lacking a certain special something…
The Venue
Pitched up just in front of St Andrew's Park on the city centre-end of Gloucester Road, the Hobgoblin is a brightly coloured pub, with football scrawls and predictions marked across its windows.
Once inside you have an L-shaped bar, two vast sports screens either end of the pub, a pool table with withering felt and a very merry atmosphere among the (mainly male) customers.
On the far side of the Hobgoblin lies a rather ill-fitting and narrow ‘smoking stretch’. Half of it is sheltered and the garden is heated, while in the corners are a couple of aged sofas which look knackered but are quite endearing.
The People
Although the Hobgoblin is dominated by football-loving men, females should not feel alienated or uncomfortable. There is a fun ambience around the pub and the punters are young and merry.
What is particularly welcoming about the crowd is that, although they are passionate about their sport, there is absolutely no lager-lout-ish hostility involved. Indeed, for an amorous little tipple with your partner you could do far worse than lounging round on the alfresco sofas.
The Drink
Generally the prices are good value. Hobgoblin (the ale) is £2.85, as is the excellent London Pride. Kronenbourg is a rather steep £3.20, while a Fosters is £3. Small glasses of wine start at £3.05 and large are £3.80, while a bottle of the house white or red wine is £10.25.
You may want to try the ‘Shot of The Week’, which for £2 is an exotic, dangerous spirit to get you revved up for the weekend.
The Last Word
The Hobgoblin has a great location and a genial crowd, and you sense there is an opportunity being missed. Nevertheless, it’s a jolly place with fine prices and some great live sport – a trusted formula for any decent boozer.
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