A-Z Bristol pub crawl: Old Castle Green, Old Market

“I’ve got a spare room, Zelensky,” said a bearded man with a glint in his eye.

The musings of a table of four ranged from the politics of Ukraine to the trials and tribulations of choosing a wedding suit.

It was Thursday evening and the Old Castle Green was steadily filling up with the quartet of loquacious drinkers dominating prime position next to the bar.

The Grade II-listed building was nestled in a cobbled side street off Old Market but this chilled-out boozer felt like a far-cry from the blaring road of West Street.

A faint whiff of fresh flowers mixed with more potent brews was delectable as the door got pushed open by two punters eager to get inside.

Although approaching spring, the weather remained stubbornly chilly so the cosy Old Castle Green was a warm relief for all. A rust-red glow radiated from a fire, albeit fake but pleasant enough.

The bar was well-stocked with a selection of real ales, spirits, ciders and snacks.

In search of something non-alcoholic, a bar tender gladly listed an array of beverages suitable for two thirsty cyclists adopting a dry March.

As we nursed our beers in the low-lit interior of wooden tables, chairs and walls and looked around, the pub’s hodgepodge of nicknacks became unmissable, ranging from the fabulous to more questionable.

One such curiosity was the wall of framed photos hanging opposite the bar. The ‘wall of queens’, as we were told, starred Barbara Windsor, Pat Butcher and a young Queen Elizabeth in the centre.

Even Queen Elizabeth is welcome at the Old Castle Green

The sounds of other history-making woman including Taylor Swift, Kylie Minogue and Madonna emanated from the sound system – but it was barely audible above the hubbub of conversation as a dozen people battered in to join in the fun.

“How much is a free coke?” asked a new customer as he ordered a shot of rum. The man was hedging his bets but the bar tender grinned and quipped back good-naturedly “not free at all, mate”.

With rainbow flags rustling in the corner, this pub evoked the inclusive and convivial spirit that put Old Market on the map as Bristol’s ‘Gay Village’.

The area has its fair share of queer-friendly pubs holding their own, and Old Castle Green sits within a stone’s throw of Old Market Tavern and Bristol Bear Bar to name a couple.

The immaculate beer garden made a return in the coming sunnier months a very appealing idea

Further exploration of this pub on Gloucester Lane prompted a delightful revelation as we stumbled across a massive beer garden complete with fairy lights, small palm trees and bunting. It was quiet today but a return in the coming warmer months seemed a very appealing prospect.

As a gaggle of people headed inside from the garden, the group of four by the bar continued their increasingly high-spirited and wide-ranging debate – and why not? This is what pubs are made for.

This little pub in Old Market had the feel of a pub in which to watch the world go by

46 Gloucester Lane, Old Market, BS2 0DP

www.facebook.com/oldcastlegreen/

All photos: Betty Woolerton

Read more: A-Z Bristol pub crawl: The Nova Scotia, Hotwells

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