Pubs and Bars / A-Z Bristol pub crawl
A-Z Bristol pub crawl: The Fire Engine, Redfield
On a rainy Thursday afternoon, groups of men huddle together inside the Fire Engine on Church Road.
The red-fronted pub, which sits on the junction of Church Road facing St George Park, is over 250 years old, and at one point the site was used as a steam-pumped fire ‘engine’, used to put out fires at the local coal pit, hence the name.
It’s only 4pm but the Fire Engine appears to have a regular flow of punters coming in and out its doors.
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Sports musings are shared and quips are exchanged, as screens showing the football and the racing watch over its punters, beckoning them to stay for the next game.
One man rushes in, cloaked in fluorescent work clothes and pulling a heavy weight mountain bike. He saunters through to the back, relieving himself of his workers clothes and settling himself down amongst a group of gentlemen with a crisp pint of Guinness.
The greats: Freddie Mercury, Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley line the pub’s walls – photo: Mia Vines Booth
There’s Butcombe Original, Thatchers, Guiness, Doom Bar and Birra Moretti served on tap here.
Cling-film wrapped cheese rolls – reminiscent of the Sugar Loaf in Easton’s infamous cheese and onion rolls, but with cheese slices less than an eighth of the size – and crisps are also on offer.
The interior of the Fire Engine is made up of gaudy portraits of the great cultural figures of the western world and paintings of classic Bristol scenes like the Suspension Bridge. You can almost hear the sounds of Elvis, Jimi and Freddie screaming into microphones pleading to be let out of the frames.
There’s darts championships here, as well as karaoke and live music evenings on Saturday nights and most Fridays.
While there may not be any more fires from coal pits to put out, the Fire Engine remains committed to serving its community, with a clear rotation of regular punters that treat the pub like their second home.
The Fire Engine, 188 Church Road, Redfield, Bristol BS5 9HX
www.fireengineredfield.co.uk
Main photo: Mia Vines Booth
Read next:
- A-Z Bristol Pub Crawl: Eldon House, Clifton
- Former pub turned into serviced apartments
- Popular pub reopens under three new young creatives
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