Miners Arms

The Miners Arms is an old-fashioned local that does everything well.

The Venue
The Miners Arms is familiar to many as the obvious venue for a post-climb pint after a session at the St Werburghs climbing centre – the altogether more visible Mina Road landmark which sits right next door.

In addition to the main room – home to the bar, a dozen tables, an open fireplace and, more often than not, Morris and Nelson, the pub dogs – is a back room with a pool table, as well as a small side room with sofas and a sizable card table.

Floorboards, roof struts, stairs and panelling are all exposed dark wood, but the feel is cosy rather than dingy. There are several uncovered picnic tables out front, and a very small, semi-covered and sometimes heated courtyard tucked away next to the gents.

The music through the stereo is diverse and interesting, and the small, terrestrial TV gets used only occasionally and if the pub's quiet.

The People
Both the crowd and the staff in the Miners Arms are easy-going and welcoming. A mixture of Werburghs locals, regulars from all over Bristol, the aforementioned climbers from the wider area and the often-present pub dogs. Weekend nights can get lively and on occasion there are open-mic nights in a small room upstairs.

The Food and Drink
There's no food, but the Miners Arms does have an exemplary selection of crisps and nuts for 50p to £1! However, the drink is an ale-lover's dream, with six hand-pulls devoted to beer, all changed frequently.

The excellent Doom Bar and Tribute ales from the St Austell brewery in Cornwall are almost always available, alongside the regular but changing presence of stalwarts like Timothy Taylor Landlord and Fullers London Pride and interesting new beers from smaller brewers. (Ales are £2.90.)

Guinness, San Miguel, Fosters, Staropramen, Leffe on tap – fresh and well-poured – Old Rosie on hand-pull (£2.90 to £3), various other beers, ciders and wine in bottles. The selection of spirits is excellent, but the lack of house doubles makes them a bit pricey.

The Last Word
An excellent, dog-friendly beer pub with an open and homely feel.

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