Pub of the Week: The Star

A group of three friends are sitting on logs and soaking up the rays in the late afternoon sun.

Before long, another woman joins them, glancing round for a log and pulling it up and setting her pint down on the makeshift table between them.

There’s certainly no complaints about the temporary lack of proper tables and chairs in this quirky suntrap of a beer garden at the back of a pub that is perhaps Fishponds’ best kept secret – but word is starting to get out about The Star, and it’s only about to get better.

Passed by hordes of commuters every day, the understated exterior is easily missed, but pause for a minute and you’ll see the trappings of a promising venue: solid wooden fencing separates punters from the ever-busy road and chalk boards advertise a host of upcoming events and music nights.

A handful of people are enjoying a post-work pint at the wooden tables outside by a second chalkboard that simply declares its love for Fishponds.

Effortlessly blending old and new, the traditional pub is a true locals’ local, complete with a ‘pub dog’ competition board, extensive selection of independent ales and ciders at reasonable prices and a dvd and book library.

Irish memorabilia features prominently throughout the expansive interior and a sign at the corner of the bar indicates the direction of the toilets one way and Craggy Island the other.

“What can I get you darling,” asks the woman behind the bar with a broad, genuine smile. She is more than happy to run through the vast selection of drinks on offer.

“Good choice,” she says to the eventual request of grapefruit juice and soda, which – along with a packet of salt and vinegar crisps – comes to £2.30. Warning that “it’s a bit of a building site at the moment,” she points out the direction of the beer garden.

She’s not wrong – a patio area outside is largely taken over with building paraphernalia and a chainsaw-wielding man is hold open the gate for a customer laden down with pints of Guinness.

“Thank you young man,” says the customer with a grin, passing through to reclaim his log seat in the sun.

The work taking place is to build an on-site brewery, outdoor seating area and wood-fired pizza oven. The landlord confirms he’s been at the pub for three years but not been able to do the work to transform the outdoor area until now.

It is not hard to imagine spending hazy summer nights out there as the sun twinkles through the glass, mosaic-effect wall at the end of the soon-to-be undercover patio.

“We’ll get the garden sorted in time for summer as well,” he says, gesturing past the wooden gate – which sports a sign stating ‘No feckin’ dogs’ – to the lawn area beyond, featuring a mural and a children’s play area.

Already a thriving local that caters for a good cross-section of the community, The Star has the promises to be quite magical very soon. Sorry people of Fishponds – the secret’s out.

The Star, 539 Fishponds Road, Bristol, BS16 3AF
0117 965 4297

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