Pubs and Bars / A-Z Bristol pub crawl
A-Z Bristol Pub Crawl: The Queen’s Head, Hanham
“The bells are ringing out for Christmas day” blasted through the speakers as the doors opened on an early November evening at the Queen’s Head in Hanham.
Which Queen’s head? Well from the illustration outside it might just be Queen Elizabeth II.
A man enters the almost-empty pub, complaining about the cold weather. The barkeep calls him Alan, to which he says, “You can’t call me Alan. Only my mother calls me Alan.”
is needed now More than ever
The woman behind the bar flashes a knowing smile and resolves to call him “twat-face” instead.
Although there’s about a month to go until Christmas, all the songs played tonight are Christmas tracks – from old favourites like Let It Snow and Driving Home for Christmas to new classics like Justin Bieber’s Mistletoe.
A refile at the Queen’s Head – photo: Seun Matiluko
A synthetic Christmas tree rests before the front door while festive wreathes and fairy lights decorate the rest of the establishment.
Christmas menus are splayed out across the tables.
Upon closer inspection, it’s clear the owners of the Queen’s Head have eclectic tastes.
In one corner, there’s a collection of Encyclopaedia Brittanica’s stacked along a shelf.
In another corner, a replica army refile can be found on the wall.
The pub appears to be a safe space for veterans – photos of different military squadrons decorate one section of the establishment along with several military flags.
A mural reminding us to remember those we’ve lost in war can be found outside the pub – photo: Seun Matiluko
A poster with lines from Rudyard Kipling’s Salute to the Engineers stands pride of place:
“The first to arrive, the last to leave, the Muddy Old Engineers,
The sweating, go getting, uproarious, glorious Muddy Old Engineers.”
After an hour-or-so of chatting, Twat-face says goodnight and makes his way home.
The Queen’s Head 29 Lower Hanham Road, BS15 8QP
All photos: Seun Matiluko
Read next:
- A-Z Bristol Pub Crawl: The Packhorse, Lawrence Hill
- A-Z Bristol Pub Crawl: The Old Stillage, Redfield
- A-Z Bristol Pub Crawl: NQ64, Baldwin Street
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