Pubs and Bars / A-Z Bristol pub crawl
A-Z Bristol Pub Crawl: The New Found Out, Totterdown
A portrait of Dame Clara Butt is one of the several quirky features in a historic Totterdown pub found in what was once the contralto’s neighbourhood.
So the story goes, Clara was the nearest thing to a popstar in the 1890s. She started life as a schoolgirl at South Bristol High School and sang to patients at the BRI.
Going on to winning a scholarship at the Royal College of Music, from humble south Bristol beginnings Clara later became a world famous concert singer – performing 110 times at the Royal Albert Hall in her career.
is needed now More than ever
Dame Clara Butt appears on the wall of the New Found Out
Down the road from her former home, 3 Bell Vue, lies the New Found Out, a pub that used to be called the Builders Arms in Clara’s lifetime.
On a recent visit, a boisterous bunch of customers frequented the boozer on Green Street, escaping the bitter temperatures on the mid-December night.
Numb fingers galore, it was impossible not to appreciate the the searing warmth of a crackling log burner mixed with cool pints in hand. Some drinkers chatted from across the bar like old friends while others stood in twos and threes and mingled.
A pair of men in their 60s dragged chairs close to the burner as an eclectic playlist emanated from the speakers ranging from Curtis Mayfield to Al Wilson.
“Love don’t come easy, it’s a game of give and take,” sang one with a toothy grin as he waggled his fingers to the Supremes’ anthem. Some first time visitors to this pub agreed: they were lyrics to be taken seriously.
He sat opposite an electronic darts board, which on this visit was surrounded by empty tables reserved for a session at 7.45pm for patrons opting for some competitive entertainment.
Drinks here came in at £11.35 for three pints and Elf Bars are for sale behind the bar in the flavours cherry cola and mad blue.
@bristol247 Next up on our tour of Bristol’s pubs, we head to Pylle Hill for a crackling log burner and chatty Totterdownians #bristol #bristol247 #puboftheweek #totterdown ♬ Winter Wonderland – Jazz Violin (loop)(1142717) – Ponetto
With mismatched wallpaper, thick carpet to sink feet into, the muffled sound of the World Cup playing on TVs and a smattering of festive decorations, this south Bristol pub nestled off Pylle Hill captured a picture of December 2022.
People continued to stream inside as the night unfolded, to play darts, have a natter and enjoy drinks, while the back and white figure of Clara looked down on the Totterdownians creating new stories in this historic pub.
The New Found Out, 60 Green Street, Totterdown, Bristol, BS3 4UB
www.facebook.com/NewFoundOutTotterdown
All photos: Betty Woolerton
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