The Portcullis

Far and away the best Real Ale Pub in Clifton. No need to say more.

Part of the group that has The Victoria (nearer to Whiteladies Road), this one takes the cake for its excellent attentive staff that often share the same hangover as you, but still manage to offer first class advice on the ales in stock. And you’re greeted by a welcoming smile each visit. Amazingly the small pub group have done a deal with Samuel Smiths brewery of Tadcaster to stock their wheat beer and more, which goes to show the level of dedication to quality drinks.
Worth mentioning that the ‘two-​pint-​takeaways’ can be carried a hundred metres up the road to the common to admire the suspension bridge.
With plenty of choice for venues in Clifton this understated locals choice is also one of the best places around.

Where do i start.
I’ve been living in Bristol 1 year, and being a pub-​lover and an ale aficionado, i’ve been to a ton of pubs… probably over 100 and this is far and away THE BEST PUB IN BRISTOL full stop.
— Why you ask?
— Kind, helpful, cool staf that know tons about beer.
–Daisy the pub dog
— A cool mix of a young vibe/​owners/​music and older locals — not an old man pub, but not so trendy/​young that it isolates the older crowd.
— Great food (haven’t tried everything but what i have had has been darn good)
and…most importantly:
–RIDICULOUSLY GREAT BEER: they go through about 200+ different craft, rare ales per year here, all hand picked and always kept really well on the 9 pumps they have… common holdings are all of the Dawkins beers (owner’s brewery — really good), Brew Dog, Otley and other greats from around the country.
— Prices are reasonable but could be cheaper, but hey its clifton village, and your paying for quality usually £3 — 3.20 for a pint, not bad at all, especially considering it isn’t Butcombe or Doom Bar your getting… if you want cheap, go to Wetherspoons, if you want value and superb quality and the ALE Experience, go here!
Thank you Portcullis!
P. S. Also, word to the wise… you can pick up a free Dawkins Card at the bar and get 30p off all Dawkins beers from all Dawkins pubs.

This great Clifton pub offers a wide range of guest ales, imported lagers, loads of different wines by the glass, plus home-​cooked food — all in a cosy space across two levels.
I’m not a real ale kind of a girl, but for those of you who are this place has a selection of up to nine hand-​picked ales from across the country (such as Dawkins Green Barrel, Brass Knocker, Bob Wall, etc). If you prefer wine, like I do, there are around 20 different wines by the glass, which is pretty impressive.
Located just opposite the White Lion Avon Gorge Hotel, near the Suspension Bridge, it attracts a good mix of people and age groups, which makes for a comfortable atmosphere, and the staff are very friendly and know their beers. Best of all, however, the Portcullis has a resident dog, Daisy the Jack Russell — which every pub should have!

Bunkered below a Georgian terrace, The Portcullis pub is a snug drinkers retreat. I’m very partial to this sort of pub but before I start singing its praises, I should mention that last time I went it was almost completely empty. Whilst I like a pub to be quiet having just me, my friend, and the barmaid when we went there, which just feels a bit lonely. I’ve seen it busier plenty of times. Perhaps save visiting here to a Friday or Saturday night when you guaranteed a bit of a crowd.
It’s a traditional pub, by which I mean you’ve got things like real ale on tap and old men sitting in the corner. There’s a fire place they get going on cold nights, a real treat. If your a big crowd there’s an upstairs room you can monopolise. The pub’s pretty small anyway, so going here with five more people will mean you take up a good portion of the seating. Tucked away, the Portcullis is a small warm retreat.

A stones throw from the Avon Gorge hotel, (along with it’s over priced beer and protentious clientelle — apart from the view why would you go there?). This is the complete opposite to it and all the better for it.
A tiny pub that given the surrounding atchitecture looks like it’s been dug into the cliffs of Dover (excuse the fancy description, I’ve been asked to make my reviews more poetic, job done).
The interior is small, and compact, but not stuffy and you can still have a great deal of privacy.
To make one thing clear this is a pub for the discerning drinker (I’d like to include myself in that bracket but i’m probably lying).
The beer selection is predominantly real ale or unsusual beers and lagers, and a good selection of ciders from around the world. This is both on tap and bottle form. The bar staff are firendly and will let you try before you buy.
They also do a beer festival or two through out the year.
I recall their being a selection of board games for those requiring non drink related entertainment but that’s about it. I feel it could do with a little more then this to make it more customer friendly apart form that this is a great little pub.
As real ale pubs go this is wondeful, in terms of Bristol it’s up there with the White Lion and the Hare on the Hill. If you’re after something more then good beer in relaxed surroundings then you can always go to the Avon Gorge, the view is fantastic.