Pubs and Bars / Awards
Hotwells pub named best in Bristol by CAMRA
“A great community local” has been named the best pub in the city by the Bristol & District branch of CAMRA.
But the Merchants Arms in Hotwells missed out on the top spot in the Bristol area to a bar in Portishead.
The Siren’s Calling is the branch’s pub of the year 2023 despite – in the landlord’s words – “residents’ revolts, collapsing ceilings (and) flooding toilets”.
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The Siren’s Calling is located in Portishead Marina – photo: The Siren’s Calling
Siren’s Calling owner Andy Hoolian said: “This is an incredible achievement for us, a small unassuming bar, operating in a local community and representing all the regulars that support us.
“Without their ongoing support of the work we do and the events we offer, making it to our five anniversary with everything thrown at us including residents’ revolts, collapsing ceilings, flooding toilets and of course Covid, would never have been possible.
“We have enjoyed offering different experiences and events including the cask focused Bristol Brewery Challenge, Blind Beer tastings, winter and summer beer festivals and our ever popular Oktoberfest weekend, not to mention the ongoing promotion of Belgian beers and brasseries.
“I would like to thank CAMRA for their support and their recognition of the hard work we do, and I would like to make special reference to our local rep Neil Ravenscroft who has spread our name since the day we opened.
“We have an idyllic setting and we hope that more people will now stop by when walking around the Marina and enjoy a beer or two!”
The Merchants Arms is on the corner of Merchants Road and Charles Place – photo: Martin Booth
In 2001, the Merchants Arms won the national CAMRA Joe Goodwin Award (now called the Community Local Award) which is given to “outstanding refurbished street-corner locals”.
Bristol & District CAMRA branch chair Richard Brooks said: “This year, the pub of the year judges considered the Merchants Arms to be a great community local. A welcoming pub with a nice cosy interior and excellent real ale.”
Merchants Arms owner Mike Wilkins added: “It is a great honour to accept the runner up award for the 2023 Bristol & District Pub of the Year Award from CAMRA members,
“I feel it demonstrates that there is still a place in this fantastic industry for a traditional real ale pub.
“No frills, no machines, no jukebox but a selection of excellent, mainly, local cask ales, an eclectic mix of background music, great conversation and a roaring log fire in the winter.
“However, that is only half the story of the Merchants. I have the best team I have worked with in my very long career in this trade, brilliant customers and the best local breweries we could hope for.
“Thank you all for making the Merchants Arms the great pub it is.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read next:
- Hotwells restaurant officially named Bristol’s best Indian restaurant
- Hotwells pub named among 50 best in the UK
- Hotwells pub damaged again after car crashes into it
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