Grain Barge, Hotwells, Bristol

This is a terrific spot on a sunny day to sit and look at the harbour, the dockyards opposite and all the activity on the water. On a cold November’s evening it’s slightly less appealing. Unfortunately a boat is never going to be exactly cosy, but it could have definitely done with being a few degrees warmer. The radiators were doing their best, but seemed to be fighting a losing battle. 270° panoramic windows are great when it’s warm, but not so great when the temperature is hovering around the freezing mark. That said, I still like it here and found the barman to be efficient and helpful. Inevitably a boat is going to be long and narrow which limits the seating options somewhat, and it can on occasions be difficult to get anywhere to sit. The décor is what you would expect from an old barge with plenty of wood paneling and some interesting fish related murals on the walls. The main bar area is on the upper deck offering great views as mentioned previously. The lower deck is available for private functions and hosts regular live music nights on Friday’s. There’s a decent food menu chalked up on a couple of boards consisting of some unusual dishes at reasonable (but not cheap) prices, including an interesting range of sandwiches. Wednesday night is pie night where they do a pie and a BBF pint deal for £8.50. Probably not the cheapest offer around, but the two pies we sampled (Beef & caramelized onion with horseradish mash and a Smoked haddock and prawn) were both very good, and I would have happily paid £8.50 without the beer. As it was a most enjoyable pint of No. 7 was a bonus. There was also a selection of cakes at the end of the bar which seemed unusual, although something that’s cropping up in more and more pubs these days – The Battle Axes at Wraxall and The Star & Dove in Totterdown are two more that immediately spring to mind. Beers on tap were primarily from Bristol Beer Factory, with their Sunrise, Acer, No. 7 and Stout. The guest was On The Rails from Ascot Ales. Ciders were Ashton Press and Lilley’s Apple & Pear.

Good beer, good food (a good selection of specials and pies), good views. Slightly pricey perhaps, but you're paying for the location. Well woth a visit.

This is a rare venue, real ale on a boat, or to be precise a Grain Barge. According to the Bristol Beer Factory web site it was originally built in 1936 by the Charles Hill shipyard and spent its life being towed up and down the Severn Estuary from Bristol to Cardiff before being bought by the BBF and refitted in early 2007. It is now moored opposite its original berth in Hotwells, close to Brunel's SS Great Britain. The Barge now has two bars, the main harbour side lounge and dining areas with plenty of seating and dining tables and then the upper 'al fresco' drinking deck with great views of the harbour and people mucking about on the water. I utilised it on a sunny Sunday lunchtime when it wasn’t that busy and the top deck was a fantastically different place for a pint. So can’t comment on what it’s like on an after work evening or what the food is like. Full range of BBF beers on hand pump but I plumped for a bottle of the Milk Stout, which was excellent. If you are doing the walk around the Bristol floating harbour, I definitely recommend a stop for one here.

Owned by Bristol Beer factory, serves a number of their beers on board this converted barge. Definitely worth the walk from the city centre to the old docks, almost opposite the SS Great Britain.

Official site of the Grain Barge - www.grainbarge.co.uk

Official site of the Grain Barge - www.grainbarge.co.uk