Pubs and Bars / A-Z Bristol pub crawl
A-Z Bristol Pub Crawl: Coach and Horses, St Jude’s
When you walk into this pub in St Jude’s, a smell that can only be described as ‘a good old English pub’ hits your senses: a mix of a wooden interior, hand pulled ales and underlying smoke from the patron’s breath.
When entering through the doors, you are almost instantly hit by the edge of the bar, leaving you no choice but to browse their selection and order right away.
The chosen visiting time of 2pm on a Thursday afternoon resulted in a quiet atmosphere, where three locals gathered to escape the dreary weather and rainy showers outside.
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The strong wooden interior of the bar, barstools and flooring paired with and the variety of cushions on the chair’s seats, result in a sturdy yet warming environment, as a few of the sun’s rays break through the clouds and shine through the bay windows.
One’s eyes are drawn to the wall to the left of the bar, covered in vintage posters of Celtic football team, with a central focus being a framed, green and white striped T-shirt.
The wall dedicated to the Celtic team – photo: Holly Lambert
The pub is a place of admiration for the team, displaying their histories across the walls dating back decades.
Unlike the majority of Bristol’s bar scene, Coach and Horses stick to the classics, without leaning into the trendy, locally Bristol brewed options.
Think an array of Guinness, Carling, Thatchers, Fosters, Cruzcampo, to name a few.
There is no background music playing, so as to not interfere with the men’s conversations and occasional attention to the sports channel shown on the television, flipping between horse racing and football updates.
Another local, who’s known on a first-name basis, walks in, greeted with an “alright George?” as the barman pulls his regular pint.
Another guest arrives, confirming that double measurements should be taken as the obvious choice when ordering a Whiskey Coke at 2pm in the afternoon, to revive oneself after a dreary morning.
Not to be confused with the other Coach & Horses situated in Clifton (unrelated), this one in St Jude’s could make a good spot on a pub crawl, with both the Volunteer Tavern and Old Castle Green a short walk away.
Time would seem to pass effortlessly here, once settled down in a corner seat, drink in hand. If you’re looking for a peaceful pub after finding yourself in St Jude’s one afternoon, this could be the place.
Coach & Horses, 25 Gloucester Lane, Old Market, BS2 0DP
All photos: Holly Lambert
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