People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol Favourites: Joe Joyce
This season will be Joe Joyce’s last at Bristol Bears having graduated through the club’s Academy to become a mainstay of the senior squad where he has made more than 150 appearances.
The 28-year-old lock was named forward of the year, supporters’ player of the year and club man of the year at the end of the last campaign, recognising his huge contributions on and off the field.
Born and bred in Southmead but also with Irish heritage, he will be moving to Connacht for the start of the 2023/24 season.
is needed now More than ever
Bristol Bears kick off this season against Bath under the floodlights at Ashton Gate on Friday, September 9. For tickets, visit tickets.bristol-sport.co.uk/en-gb/categories/bristol-bears
These are Joe’s top-five Bristol favourites:
Watching the football and rugby at Ashton Gate
Ashton Gate is the home stadium of both Bristol City and Bristol Bears – photo: JMP
“I try to watch Bristol City most weekends. I’m actually quite looking forward to when I do retire so I can come to Ashton Gate in a few years time, have a beer in my hand and enjoy watching Bristol Bears. Because most of the time I’m either playing, suffering or watching nervously.”
Restaurants
Pasture on Portwall Lane in Redcliffe is Joe Joyce’s favourite Bristol restaurant – photo: Pasture
“Pasture is the best restaurant in Bristol, 100 per cent. Rib-eye medium rare for me. If you like your steak well-done you can’t be friends with me.”
“Shout-out to Aqua on Whiteladies Road, they always look after us rugby lads. It’s top food in there. Everything is boss. You go in most nice restaurants and you leave with an empty stomach don’t you, but Aqua’s portion sizes are great.”
“I always feel so welcome in Caribbean Croft. You go in there and you feel like you belong there. I like the vibe in there and the portion size again! And a new place on Cheltenham Road that does nice Caribbean food is St Mary’s Kitchen.”
Southmead
“It might not be the best place but it’s our place,” says Joe Joyce about Southmead – photo: Martin Booth
“BS10. I’m proud of where I’m from. It’s got a community feel and a sense of togetherness. It might not be the best place but it’s our place. When people talk about me, they always know that I’m from Southmead which is a nice thing. Putting Southmead in the good news not the bad news.”
The Coronation Tap
The Cori Tap’s infamous 8.4% Exhibition cider – photo: Coronation Tap
“I go in there for an early finish. Three halves and it’d be good night!”
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read next:
- Bristol Bears fans meet Ellis Genge on his return to the club
- Bears fans make Premiership season predictions
- ‘There’s no silver bullet for becoming great in your field other than 100% effort’
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