Pubs and Bars / Pub of the Week
Pub of the Week: The Rose of Denmark
If Bristol mayor Marvin Rees’ grand plans come to fruition, the area around the Rose of Denmark pub could be completely transformed over the next decade or two into what he is calling the Western Harbour, with some 3,500 homes built on a 20-hectare site.
For now, the windows of the Rose of Denmark in Hotwells offer a view of the Cumberland Basin flyover – pillars painted green, blue and purple.
No doubt we’ll soon see a CGI of the scene with hot air balloons flying overhead as overseas investors continue to be tempted to buy into the Western Harbour plan and perhaps help fund Rees’ multi-billion underground railway at the same time.
is needed now More than ever
The engineering challenge on a recent Sunday night at the Rose of Denmark was a smaller one, with broken pumps meaning that the barman had to go to the cellar to pour the beers straight from their barrels.
Citra session IPA from Oakham Ales was one of the three ales on tap alongside Butcombe Original and Titanic Brewery’s Plum Porter, with the likes of Thatchers Gold, Strongbow Cloudy Apple and Amstel also available.
After lying empty for a couple of months, the spacious Dowry Place hostelry was recently reopened by former Bank Tavern manager Mike Coe who had never visited the pub as a customer before becoming the new landlord.
The Rose of Denmark dates back to the early 1800s
Bottles of Espensen Spirit and Bristol Dry Gin on the back bar are two signs of Mike’s ambitions to introduce more local produce here.
The Rose of Denmark (named after Alexandra, Princess of Wales, wife of the Prince of Wales who was later to become Edward VII) has long been known for its Sunday roasts, which won’t be back until mid-September, with the plan for some pop-ups once the kitchen is back up and running.
Two Jim Beams and Coke, and a Kronenbourg was the order from one group all dressed in leathers who walked in soon after 8pm.
Talk soon turned to Spanish translations of Pokemon characters as Ramon told his friends the etymology of his own name.
As the strings of Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve filled the pub, a 20-something bearded man with a flat cap walked in with two blonde companions.
After ordering a drink for himself, he ordered on behalf of one of his friends. “Anything, I don’t mind,” he told the barman.
“Pint?” the barman replied. “That’s probably not the best idea,” came the response, before one of his blonde companions was eventually given a bottle of Desperado which she proceeded to knock over the floor of the pub as the sun dipped down beneath the Cumberland Basin flyover.
The Rose of Denmark, 6 Dowry Place, Hotwells, Bristol, BS8 4QL
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