Pubs and Bars / A-Z Bristol pub crawl
A-Z Bristol Pub Crawl: Junction, Wapping Wharf
On a wintry Thursday night the rain pelts down across the harbour, but the twinkling lights of Junction beckon in post-Wapping Wharf diners and eager punters from the cold.
Its enticing embrace is marked by warm industrial lighting, high tables and cosy banquette seated-customers huddled together in laughter.
Junction is owned by Bristol Beer Factory, and their presence is everywhere, from the mini kegs of beers lining the shelves, to a map of Bristol in their signature font and style across one of the walls – not to mention the delicious selection of their beers on tap.
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Bristol Beer Factory was one of three shortlisted breweries alongside Left Handed Giant and Wiper & True to take on this site on Gaol Ferry Steps previously occupied by Wild Beer.
Junction’s open kitchen serves hearty food like bangers and mash and deep fried mac and cheese to warm the stomach – photo: Mia Vines Booth
An open kitchen brings a gastronomic feel to the bar, which cocoons a mix of diners slurping up the moreish gravy of bangers and mash – you can choose from ‘half-sized plates’ and ‘pint-sized plated’ which comes in the form of proper pub grub’.
Fifties brass banker lamps with their notable green shades are nestled around corners of the bar next to books to peruse over a pint – or a hot chocolate – for some on this evening.
There’s a distinctly young atmosphere here; the trendy Wapping Wharf types and city millennials that love good quality local beer and have no doubt ventured in after dinner at Gambas, Root or many of the other culinary delights of the area.
Junction’s buzzing atmosphere is hard to leave as the rain continues to pelt down outside. “Oh, let’s just order another one,” someone says to their mate, and without hesitation, a decision is made.
Every seat is full on a Thursday evening – photo: Mia Vines Booth
Bristol Beer Factory’s pub is as warm and inviting in ethos as in aesthetic. Its ‘Brewed To Give’ scheme supports community services in the city, including primary school play equipment, subsidised sporting activities in deprived areas, cooking classes for asylum seekers and refugees, and mental health support for young men.
For two punters, the pull of its warm embrace nearly cost them the beginning of the film they were due to see at Watershed the other side of the docks.
They downed their pints at rapid speed and ran to the cinema as the rain continued to beat down and Junction’s twinkling lights became glimmering stars in the distance.
Junction, Gaol Ferry Steps, Wapping Wharf, BS1 6WE
www.bristolbeerfactory.co.uk/junction
Main photo: Mia Vines Booth
Read next:
- A-Z Bristol pub crawl: The Golden Guinea, Redcliffe
- Bristol Beer Factory to invest £80,000 in local community
- Much-loved restaurant and bar to be brought back to life
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