A-Z Bristol pub crawl: The Lion, Cliftonwood

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Two thirsty walkers strolled past cars screaming through Hotwell Road and ascended the gentle incline leading towards Cliftonwood.

An elderly couple amble down the street hand-in-hand, forgoing the car-filled pavements and navigating the empty road instead. Lampposts just about flicker on and cast a warm ambience on the pastel-coloured terraces on a recent  early evening.

The locale feels like an oasis of quiet and suburbia, and the white-washed pub on the corner of Church Lane is equally as soothing.

The interior of the Lion is yet simplistic yet thought-out – photo: Betty Woolerton

Opening the front door to get out of the cold, inside The Lion Cliftonwood feels incredibly cosy.

Its centrepiece is a glorious log fire, nestled in the corner and gently cracking whilst mellow reggae tunes play overhead.

“Feel free to put more wood on”, says a bar-person with a warm smile as we take a calculated seat next to the fire and contemplate our shelter for the rest of the evening.

Echoing its name, the pub is ornamented with lions in a range of forms – including an acrylic painting and another carved from wood.

It has a main space, with long tables and a mishmash of stools, framed by a wooden bar boasting a selection of on-tap local brews and classic favourites (there is no alcohol-free beer for sale in this establishment, however).

Walk past the bar and the pub is found to be deceptively spacious, with a large back-room and a compact beer garden with views of south Bristol and Harbourside.

Views of South Bristol were just about visible as the night drew in – photo: Betty Woolerton

With jars of (slightly wilting) flowers on the table and logs stored in every crevice, the pub feels as intimate as a living room and the perfect place to while away a night in as the street grew darker outside.

Although that day The Lion was fairly empty of punters, it was not lacking in atmosphere. The loudest, and smallest, patrons come in the form of three giggling toddlers – they were drinking milk.

One person who has their priorities sorted is lone young woman with a foamy pint of Guinness sat next to a plate laden with pub grub, a huge burger and side of chips in this case.

Whilst pouring a pint of lager and sourcing a bottle of ginger beer, another staff member finds time relay details of their weekly quiz and burger night on Wednesdays.

On a lane a 10 minute walk from Clifton, an area saturated with pubs and bars, the Lion is hidden gem off-the beaten track, and just as welcoming as its surroundings.

The Lion perches on a hidden corner of Cliftonwood – photo: Betty Woolerton

19 Church Lane, Cliftonwood, BS8 4TX

All photos: Betty Woolerton

Read more: A-Z Bristol pub crawl: The Kings Head, Whitehall

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