Pubs and Bars / Pub of the Week
Bar of the Week: The Old Granary
A blackboard by the entrance to The Old Granary Bar tells of the venue’s claim to fame as a film location for a popular Only Fools and Horses scene.
Yep, the moment when Del Boy fell through the bar in Yuppy Love took place in this underground spot on Queen Charlotte Street, just on the corner of Queen Square.
What the board doesn’t mention is that it is also the site of the legendary venue The Granary, once run by the great Tony Bullimore, that went on to host many a rock n’ roll star before its closure in 1988.
is needed now More than ever
The new owners have added the ‘old’ back into its name, but it is a thoroughly modern incarnation of the historic building that re-opened a week ago as a bar – trading mainly in bespoke cocktails, as well as a fine selection of wines – catering to the numerous office workers based in the area, who are promised 25 per cent off their drinks.
Flickering candles on top of wooden tables create a cosy atmosphere in the underground haunt. The bar manager shouts an exuberant welcome over the chorus of Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ Otherside, which is coming loudly out of the speakers early one recent Thursday evening.
Menus are set on the polished bar, but the advice is to break away from such restraints and instead describe your perfect cocktail flavours so that a bespoke drink can be created for you. His passion for his craft bubbles through as the bar manager works his magic behind the bar.
It’s only Thatchers available on draft – beers were polished off early in the week – and the bar, owned by restaurant chain Loch Fyne, which has a restaurant above, isn’t currently serving any food.
The drinks are whisked over to the table with a flourish, the manager more than happy to talk through each ingredient and what it brings to the drink. True to his word, each is a mighty fine tipple.
“That one’s got a kick to it,” he states with a grin, referring to the Old Fashioned-inspiration cocktail.
With its inventive twist on a classic, The Old Granary will no doubt soon become a destination of choice for cocktail lovers.
51 Queen Charlotte Street, Bristol, BS1 4HQ
www.facebook.com/TOGBAR/
Read more: Pub of the Week: The Rhubarb Tavern
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