Pubs and Bars / A-Z Bristol pub crawl
A-Z Bristol Pub Crawl: The Pilgrim Inn, Brislington
“Get your rocks off, get you rocks off, honey. Shake it now now, get’em off downtown.”
Bobby Gillespie was not quite in the Pilgrim Inn on a recent Thursday night but one drinker at this recently reopened Brislington pub did a mighty fine impression of him.
From Movin’ On Up to Swastika Eyes, he was in fine voice, lubricated by the Bass being served from a keg on the bar for £3.70 a pint.
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Thursday is clearly the new Friday in BS4, despite the barman sharing his plans to go to Clifton Triangle favourites Lizard Lounge and La Rocca the following night.
“This is one of my favourite songs I have ever heard,” remarked a man with an earring and a pint of Stella sat at the bar, as Dakota by the Stereophonics replaced Primal Scream on the stereo.
The Bobby Gillespie-alike joined in with the chorus of course and as many verses as he could remember.
The courtyard of the Pilgrim Inn – photo: Martin Booth
With talk of the Oscars dominating the headlines this week, it is fitting that the Pilgrim is located on Hollywood Road. In its previous incarnation, this pub was called the Hollywood Tavern, with Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr and Frank Sinatra on its sign.
Now once again called the Pilgrim, it has some fine decorative plasterwork on its exterior reminiscent of the Langton in nearby St Anne’s, while inside a distinctive feature is a carved wooden backdrop to the bar
Mike Walsh will be playing acoustic covers in the Pilgrim on Friday night, while a meat raffle is due to be drawn on Sunday with the winner getting a breakfast tray for two people or a mixed grill for four.
On Thursday, the music from the speakers was competing with Magic TV on mute, including Kelly Rowland’s infamous use of Microsoft Excel to text Nelly in Dilemma.
At 9.30pm, the music was briefly turned down and last orders were called – much to the chagrin of the trio of drinkers still inside.
But the volume was swiftly turned back up for Song Two by Blur.
“It’s not my problem! Wa-hoo!”
The Pilgrim Inn, 21 Hollywood Road, Brislington, Bristol, BS4 4LE
Main photo: Martin Booth
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