Pubs and Bars / A-Z Bristol pub crawl
A-Z Bristol pub crawl: The Quadrant, Clifton
The young couple who stepped into the Quadrant on a Wednesday evening followed the excitable footsteps of thousands before them, for this cosy wine bar had been alive and well for over a century.
Situated in the heart of Clifton Village, the Quadrant – a name aptly derived from the bar’s shape: a quarter of a circle – takes pride of place on the corner of Princess Victoria Street and Regent Street.
Its punters perch atop stools framed by arched windows, looking out into the rainy night as evening revellers enjoy their very British version of the Italian passeggiata.
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The Quadrant is the kind of establishment visitors venture into for a pre-dinner alcoholic treat, before deciding that an evening of indulging in cocktails sounds more fun than the overpriced restaurant they had planned to head to next.
Hot toddies, white Russians, perfect storms and espresso martinis offer some warmth to customers as they rush in from the cold.
Kitsch posters of Parisian wine culture are hung on the walls, remnants of the Quadrant’s heyday as an authentic wine bar
The lively bar also serves a small but strong selection of ales and lagers, and what remains of what used to be an impressive wine collection.
With local brews and cocktails taking pride of place, the Quadrant may be a far cry from its original wine bar and tapas beginnings, but it still remains a cosy parlour for a sophisticated tipple.
One couple who had come with the intention of ordering two pints of lager soon changed their minds when a tide of yuppie glamour swept over them as men in suits gathered for a post-work booze up.
After prying the extensive cocktail selection, they opted for two Aperol spritzes, before nestling into a window seat.
A large family sat squished together on a nearby banquette, laughing merrily as Christmas holly and twinkling stars hung above them.
Two men sat huddled next door, putting the world to rights with heads together and brows furrowed as they spoke in hushed but impassioned voices.
The couple finished up their Aperols by slurping the leftover melted ice and left the bar, stepping out into the wintery cold.
Maybe it was the generously portioned drinks, or the Christmas holiday decorations. Or perhaps it was the Monzo notification that told them they had gone over their daily budget when they purchased break-the-bank-worthy cocktails that day.
Whatever the reason, they left feeling welcomed and warmed.
The Quadrant, 2 Princess Victoria Street, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4BP
www.thequadrantclifton.com
All photos: Mia Vines Booth
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