The Drawbridge

This is a pre-​show venue in Bristol right next to The Hippodrome. You’d think that in the short pre-​show periods of large customer numbers the staff would do their best to try and serve everyone as quickly as possible and maximise spending, but no, there’s no urgency. If there’s one thing that frustrates me every time I go here before a theatre show it’s the long wait to get a drink from staff that know they aren’t paid by-​the-​drink.

If this was any more middle of the road, it would be a white line!
A few of us popped in for a swift drink after the Bristol Half Marathon this weekend. It’s definitely not somewhere that any of us would normally go. Not that it’s really bad, just because it’s bang in the centre of town and has no real life. It’s soulless! But it does serve a purpose. It’s an honest, no frills boozer right in the centre of town with a small outside seating area. It’s perfect if you’re not from Bristol and a need somewhere to stop before or after a night at the Hippodrome.
Food wise you’re going to get something from a freezer that’s put in a microwave and served on a white oval plate — with a garnish of Heinz sauce sachets! But you get what you pay for.
Not the best pub in the world, but you could do a lot worse. The easiest 3 stars I’ve given!

I was with a group of friends on College Green and we were deciding where to go for lunch, as we made our way down the hill we agreed that there was no need to go all the way into town so ended up in The Drawbridge, just beyond the Hippodrome.
The Drawbridge is a conventional town pub, traditional surroundings with maroon carpets and heavy dark wood beams, despite the sunshine outside it felt very dreary inside. However we were guaranteed a quick lunch which is all we wanted so we sat down.
The lunch was in no way quick and when it eventually arrived each dish was slightly cold and greasy — even the side salad. My jacket potato was not cooked all the way through and the cheese had gone cold on top.
The service was not great either, we were not made to feel welcome or given any reassurance that our food orders would arrive or any help when they arrived cold.
I think The Drawbridge would be better for a few drinks on a cold evening but I would not recommend it for food or for service!

The Drawbridge doesn’t allow you entry to a castle of a pub, both in terms of grandeur and sophistication. The Drawbridge is more a porthole into a far less then classy dive. You’d expect a drinking hole next to the Hippodrome to try hard to fit in with the keeping of its grandiose neighbour. But no, the Drawbridge is a depressing, dark and grimey pub full of drunkards. If you want a pre-​drink here then make it a quick one.

The Drawbridge is fantastically located at the heart of Bristol beside the fountains and the Hippodrome. It is nicely decorated from the outside and it is almost always busy inside… I do not understand why though!
Inside, The Drawbridge is a grimy, dingy and depressing! The entire place could definitely benefit from a really thorough scrub and re-​paint. It is a shame that this pub will probably be the first port of call for many tourists as they call in before their evening at the Hippodrome because I guarantee there are much better places to visit. In addition, they have a limited bar as far as cider goes, which is a massive disappointment considering Bristol is famous for its unique variety of ciders.
The only reason why I haven’t rated this place as 1* is purely for its really good location.

Anyone who has been to the Hippodrome may have made the mistake of going to The Drawbridge for a quick pre-​show pint. This is a mistake you don’t make twice. The tables and chairs have a strange layer of sticky mildew, the glasses are a bit grubby and there’s no service with a smile to be had here.
It’s always a pity when a pub, situated slap-​bang in the middle of the West Country only offers one cider, especially when it’s Strongbow. The prices are fine, but not value for money. The location is fantastic, put the owners definitely don’t make the most of it. If you’re looking for a place to drink before a trip to the theatre, take a walk up Park Street and far away from The Drawbridge.

Well, it’s not that bad. That’s about the most positive statement I can come up with I think. This is a large city centre pub, next door to the Hippodrome. None of the theatre rubs off on it though — this place certainly doesn’t have any sparkle to it. It’s just a bog standard pub that hasn’t had a huge amount of thought put into it.
The prices are ok, there’s plenty of seating and a (slighly desolate) patio area out the back. It gets a mixed crowd of shoppers and office workers, as you would expect given its location All in all, there’s nothing terrifically bad about this place, it could just do with a lick of paint and a bit of love.
Maybe I’d come here if it was in the middle of nowhere. But being slap bang in the middle of town means the Drawbridge will have to raise its game if its got any hope of pulling me in.

It’s a horrible place. It’s dirty, sticky tables, soaking wet bar, stuck to the floor, stinking toilets and 2 of those were out of order.
Why do people let a bar get into such a state? I remember when it was a Berni Inn, it was a nice place, but it’s been run right down.
Would never go back, and wouldn’t reccomend it to anyone