Big Banana Juice Bar

A bar dedicated solely to making juices is here in the middle of the food row of St. Nicholas Market. The juice bar started up with some guys who really had a passion for healthy drinking and till now their message is still strong, with them venturing into school, teaching young ones about a healthy lifestyle. All this sounds great to me, as I take comfort in knowing that a business exists, not only to make money and rake in profits from the juice/​smoothie trend, but to really try and make a difference to the community.
Their juices are freshly squeezed in front of you, and there is a menu you can pick from that’s just bursting with fruit and goodness. They don’t add anything to it either, unless you order a ‘booster’ which can be spirulina, wheatgrass, chilli and lots more, but besides that, no added sugar, ice or anything else. If you’re feeling particularly in need of a detox, try a wheatgrass shot. It made me go really funny in the tummy and head, and tastes very potently grassy but it’s supposed to be very, very good for you — and it’s fun to see them squeeze the juice out the grass too.

I agree with Chris– if you are in town hanging out of your eyeballs or something ruder then head here. It’s better value than most of the other juice bars you find scattered across the centre and in a weird way they just seem to care that little bit more. There’s a whole host of ways you can make yourself better from shots for your liver, your brain, your energy levels and your stomach. Just don’t try the wheatgrass. It’ll take you right back to where you were the night before. And it always reminds me of a rather rank Sex and the City episode. Nuff said. There’s all the usual juice blends from berry boosters to strawberries and bananas or the more yoghurty varieties. I love the carrot, apple and ginger and find it gives me just as much of a kick as coffee. It’s not the cheapest health fix but it will quickly mop up some guilt and for a pound a time you can boost several organs all at once in juice-​form. Even if there’s no science behind it who really cares? The juices are divine.

There is the number one reason in the whole world to visit this Juice Bar… they cure hangovers! I know, I know, impossible you say, but I promise you they do. For £1 you can get a shot of ginger that will sort out your stomach, and if you’re lucky your head. They also sell Guava, which must be somewhere close to a legal high. It’s like drinking twenty cups of coffee at once. I promise whoever you are you’ll be up to four in the morning if you drink some of this during the day. So make sure you only drink it when you plan to be up at four in the morning, otherwise very frustrating.
The rest is all about filling yourself up with those B vitamins (my hangovers are so bad, I have researched this) that apparently are important, you know bananas, pineapples etc.
And then, on top of those ingredients, it’s up to you to choose what kind of fruit you like really. These are the real deal, made fresh in front of you, not like the ones you buy from the supermarket.
I love this juice bar, they have really made an effort to think about why people might want or need to drink a smoothy and gone all out to make sure they can make it. Marketing trick or not, that’s supply meeting demand.

Many people regard this as Bristol’s original juice bar, because it’s been there longer than most of the others that have sprung up in the past few years.
With juices, smoothies and wholesome shots such as wheatgrass, some drinks on the menu aim to be healthy, others claim to help hangovers, and the remainder are just plain tasty.
The yoghurt blends are tasty and filling, but the vegetable and fruit juices leave you feeling more wholesome — while for a specific pick-​me-​up you’re better off with a down-​in-​one shot including ingredients such as celery, aloe vera, ginger, beetroot, and garlic (yes, garlic).
You can sit down and drink them at the al fresco bar (fine in warm weather, but a wind channel at times) or have a take away. Prices are about average for juice bars — they seem fairly expensive on first glance but when you see what goes into them it’s fair enough.