Brunel Wine Bar

This is in a lovely spot overlooking the posh hustle and bustle of Clifton village. It’s only a small bar but they have a fantastic selection of vinos and it has a nice sophisticated feel. It’s the kind of place you could easily come on your own for a drink as the staff are chatty and the stools are set up along the bar. You can also peek out of the windows which open on to the street and spot the totty going by but it’s a nice place just to sit outside and drink too. I had knocked back so much wine last time I was there that I had to soak it up with some food and really enjoyed the little tapas plates they do– there’s quite a selection for such a small place. Its laid-​back vibe reminds me of places in Italy where taking a load off with a glass of wine doesn’t have to be a big boozy session and can actually feel quite clean and sophisticated!

After a hard day’s pottering around the boutiques of Clifton Village, I recently stumbled across this pleasant little bar. I popped in for a quick pint, only intending for the coupling of bum and barstool to be a brief flirtation, but before I knew it, they were practically married! With its minimalist, Shaker-​style interior and friendly service, it’s a great place to relax with a few cheeky beverages oiling the wheels of conversation.
If you, as I do, have an allergic reaction to the plethora of ‘style’ bars that are spreading across Bristol like a badly-​decorated rash, then this friendly, unpretentious haunt is a great antidote. The food is also delicious with a wide range of tapas dishes that are served in Tardis-​like pots — they don’t look big but they certainly fill you up!
Above all, it’s the service that really impressed me. With staff that insisted on lending me their mobile when I needed to make a call, and a manager who plonks free grub down on your table after a few hours of drinking, this is a bar that I look forward to returning to.