Pubs and Bars / A-Z Bristol pub crawl

A-Z Bristol pub crawl: The Crown Tavern, St Jude’s

By Betty Woolerton  Friday Sep 9, 2022

On a recent Wednesday evening, a grizzled, middle-aged man strolled into a red-bricked building, giving two cyclists the confidence that the Crown Tavern was indeed open – despite the message its murky, curtain-clad windows were sending.

Following in his footsteps, they ambled in after peering cautiously around a frosted door.

The pair were greeted by a gentle hum of a television and the sight of three punters, a couple and a man, watching the Chase in dead silence.

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Making a beeline for the bar, they told an elderly staff member (twice) what they’d like to drink.

There was only one alcoholic free option in this water hole (Becks Zero), but no matter as our moods were bolstered when we were told the price of our two beers – £3.30.

At this pub on Lawfords Gate, behind Old Market’s West Street, Bass costs £2, Guinness and Stella £2.30, and cider (Thatchers Gold, Haze, Blackthorn and Natch) is mainly in tinnies.

These are prices that harked back to decades before, echoed by decor that made the Crown Tavern seem like a pub that had been plucked straight out of the 1980s.

That evening, the Chase was followed by BBC News

Consisting of a single room with the counter at the back, green seemed to be the colour theme here which included various paint shades on the wall as well as the seating and the curtains.

Complementing the green, tables were wooden and wrought iron and flooring was a mixture of old wooden boards at the front and some type of lino at the back.

An original-looking fireplace with a tiled front and a dark, carved wood surround was blocked off. Next to it, a darts board hung complete with an electronic scoreboard and a couple of trophies on the shelf above.

A trip to the ladies prompted the discovery of a back room with at least a dozen buckets battling a leaky ceiling with tables covered in sheets to protect them from rainwater.

According to its website, Tuesday afternoon and Saturday night play host to karaoke but, sadly, it’s “not for youngsters”.

Perhaps they are right.

The Crown Tavern, 17 Lawfords Gate, BS2 0DY ·
www.whatpub.com/pubs/AVN/113/crown-tavern-bristol

All photos: Betty Woolerton

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