News / New Openings
Bristol to get second micropub
Mark Farrell rolls up his sleeves and gets on with clearing out the detritus of a former convenience store on Chandos Road in Redland that could within a couple of months be reopening as Bristol’s second micropub, following in the footsteps of the Drapers Arms on Gloucester Road.
Surrounding him are old fridges, shelves and pieces of wall. Thick gloves cover his dustbin-lid-sized hands as he shows a friend around the gutted shop.
The place might not look like much now, but Mark’s dream is to create something to bring the local community together. Where you won’t find anybody tapping away on their phones or laptops, but talking and enjoying some locally brewed ales and ciders.
is needed now More than ever
“I think we are going back to basics,” the jovial Irishman says. “To a time where we go back to what a pub should be. A lot are becoming gastropubs now. They’re not places where people are going to go to sit and chat.
“Micropubs are going back to the days when the landlord knew your name and would communicate with you. In the Drapers Arms, it’s great to see people talking again.”
The experienced landlord, formerly of the Plume of Feathers and Three Tuns in Hotwells, originally wanted to have his micropub on the harbourside, but is now thrilled to be opening on one of Bristol’s best roads for food and drink.
Here on Chandos Road he will be neighbours with the likes of Aron’s Jewish Deli, Chandos Fish Bar, Mabel’s Greengrocer, No Man’s Grace and the Michelin-starred Wilks, with a new food business also opening next door in what used to be Timeless pizza bar.
Chums, named after Mark’s walking group which he has been a member of for more than three decades, will fit some 45 people inside, serving six different ales (three on hand pump, three on stillage), one cider on hand pump and three others in boxes, alongside wine and bottled Belgian beers.
Mark is now looking for more positive comments on the planning application for his new venture.
“I’ve already had a lot of good responses from people walking by,” he says, before once again rolling back his sleeves and getting to work transforming this dark shell of a former shop into what could as early as the middle of March be filled with warmth, laughter and conversation.
Read more: Pub of the Week: The Drapers Arms