Pubs and Bars / A-Z Bristol pub crawl
A-Z Bristol Pub Crawl: The Hillgrove Porter Stores, Kingsdown
Sharing a similar corner set-up to everyone’s favourite pub, the Queen Vic in EastEnders, walking up to the Hillgrove Porter Stores doesn’t feel dissimilar to stepping onto a film set.
There wasn’t anybody hurling bottles across the bar on a recent evening, but the couple smoking on the doorstep did seem to be relishing their cigarettes as if Keir Starmer himself might appear from the direction of Somerset Street footpath and pluck them straight from their fingertips.
The Hillgrove is quintessentially ‘old man boozer’ in its décor save for some paper lanterns inscribed with Japanese thanks to the Kansai Kitchen pop-up.
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There aren’t many pubs where you can get matcha ice cream as a bar snack – photo: Megan Foulk
Punters here can choose between bar snacks of pork scratchings or matcha ice cream.
On this recent evening, a first-time visitor ordered both, making the most of this welcome dichotomy.
Kansai Kitchen describe themselves as “Bristol’s most-exciting Japanese restaurant” and it is difficult not to be convinced that your pint of Infinity lager wouldn’t be better enjoyed with a side of edamame or fried kushikatsu.
On one table, plate after plate of okonomiyaki (hearty veggie pancakes) and egg noodle salad were delivered by the waiting staff as the beer mat wall collages paired with shiitake sauce smells from the kitchen in your new favourite pub.
The Hillgrove Porter Stores is always worth the steep climb up to Kingsdown – photo: Megan Foulk
The Hillgrove Porter Stores,
53 Hillgrove Street North, Kingsdown, Bristol, BS2 8LT
Main photo: Megan Foulk
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