Pubs and Bars / Pub of the Week
Pub of the Week: The Three Lions
Within spitting distance of the steel spires of Ashton Gate Stadium, visible through hazy evening sunshine down at the bottom of the hill behind the pub, The Three Lions unashamedly – aggressively – loves its football. Decorated with a massive St George’s cross decal that stretches right across the front windows and a a trio of shields with three lions on, there couldn’t be a more patriotic spot to watch the opening night of the 2018 World Cup.
Inside, surrounded by the reek of cigarettes and old beer, the bar is half-full of locals sinking a pint as they watch the game. More red-and-white flags swaddle the bar and hang off the many flat-screened TVs that are all tuned to a dazzling green pitch. The surround-sound bounces the noise of the stadium around the pub.
A man sits alone at a big wooden table in front of the massive projector screen, footballers running the wing above his left shoulder, flicking through The Star. His drinking buddies all congregate at the bar to keep topped up with Fosters and Heineken, one of them nipping behind to fill his own glass while the barmaid is in the toilet. They chat and guffaw and slap each other’s shoulders and keep one eye on the TV and the other on the door to see who is coming and going.
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Above them, gathering dust, sporting memorabilia covers the wavy patterns of the wallpapered ceiling: huge prints of the pub on match day draped with flags and surrounded by crowds; a pair of white silken boxers’ competition shorts; framed photographs of City players from the 80s and 90s; a front cover of The Sun documenting City’s 2007 play-off hopes.
As Russia curl a beautiful penalty in, millimetres from the right hand post, a roar echoes through the pub and several people raise meaty fists in celebration. The men playing pool at the back of the pub, blowing in smoke through the patio doors, slot their cues under their arm to give a couple of resounding claps to the hosts.
The action replay of Saudi Arabia’s defence invites comments peppered with fruity language, delivered to the television with no more malice than one might use when calling a favourite dog back over from doing something stupid. Half-time comes and the adverts break, and everyone turns away from the screens to sink their pints a little deeper as the sun sets over Ashton Gate.
The Three Lions
206 West Street
Bedminster
Bristol
BS3 3NB
0117 902 0056
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