Pubs and Bars / Pub of the Week
Pub of the Week: The Black Cat
A man in blue overalls, ponytail sticking through his cap, whistles as he walks towards the door of The Black Cat, rolled cigarette held loosely in his oil-stained fingers.
It’s a savvy drinker that heads to this West Street pub for a post work drink, where its £2 a pint every week day from 12pm-7pm, and all day and night on Thursdays.
This particular Wednesday evening, a local sporting a red, badge-covered cap and leather jacket sits at the end of the polished wooden bar, walking stick propped beside him. He gives a bellow of laughter at something the bar woman says, grasping his pint with fingers adorned with an assortment of rings.
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It’s the usual suspects of drinks on tap, Tribute, Bass and a handful of lagers and ciders – true to the sign on the blackboard – each is available for £2 a pint. Serving behind the bar, a woman wearing large hooped earrings keeps conversation flowing as she pours pints with deft efficiency.
“Is that that Thatchers haze?” asks one older man, positioned opposite the wall-mounted TV which is currently showing a repeat of Deal or No Deal.
“I like that one,” he says with a nod at the fresh pint of cider, adding: “But it don’t like me.”
Comfortably old school, the pub takes cash only in defiance of our increasingly cashless society – or maybe just because that’s how it’s always been done. A number of locals are clustered mainly around the bar, taking advantage of the prices that can’t be found in many Bristol hostelries these days.
“He’s got to go to at least £25,000,” says the Deal of No Deal aficionado from his position in front of the TV.
As the programme comes to an end, George Ezra’s Shotgun blasts out of the jukebox.
A man opens the door, holding it open for a woman with a walker to enter. She nudges it into his leg with playful smile on her way through. “Oi you fucking …..” he responds with a grin, heading off to greet people at a table towards the back of the pub.
As Bryan Adams takes over on the juke box, voices are raised to be heard over The Summer of 69. Its karaoke on Tuesdays, live music on Sundays – any excuse will do to visit this cheerful West Street local.
The Black Cat, 26 West Street, Bristol, BS3 3LH
www.facebook.com/blackcatbristol/
Read more: Pub of the Week: The Nova Scotia
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