The Mardyke

The Mardyke is an odd little place. It’s cheap, by the river and full of the oddest mixture of people I’ve ever come across. Of course though, this makes it brilliant!
Don’t come here expecting some kind of gastro experience, the drinks are cheap, the glasses are likely to be chipped and the bar offers lots of cider! There’s also the obvious others, like lager, spirits, wine and ale. But it would seem silly to come here in Bristol and not have a glass of west country punch juice, the place stinks of it. Oh and it’s ridiculously cheap, like Wetherspoons style prices, but without actually having to go to Wetherspoons, which is a bonus in itself.
There’s a little bench on the outside of the pub that becomes crowded at the weekends, and you’re likely to join the mixture of sailors, students, poshos, trendies and oldies in swearing, spilling your drink, smoking, singing and jeering after a few drinks. In the summer you can always cross the road and drink your drink with your feet dangling over the water if you don’t fancy all that was aforementioned.
The Mardyke feels a little like a less Irish and more Bristolian version of the working-​class quarters that were depicted in Titanic, but if it were an 18 rather than a 12, if you know what I mean. A true Bristol experience and an epic pit stop on your way into town.

A short hop from the Grain Barge this is a popular little pocket of fun with many hotwellsians!
If your budget can’t strech to much then this is a cracking place to go to, a cheap but very good pint will await you upon entrance. I can imagine this was probably a popular haunt with old navy boys and dockside workers in years gone by.
The selection of real ales and ciders is pretty good so you can get some locally brewed beer in your belly to round off a brilliant day!

I’m fairly surprised to be the first person to write about this pub. Set in Hotwell’s, it is within walking distance from the city centre and the docks without being disgustingly busy. A favourite for locals and studenty types, who have found it, once you’ve been, you might find you go back again and again. The bar staff are used to familiar faces, and are very friendly. With a host of seats and stools, and few benches that run along the wall outside, I don’t recall ever having to stand up. What’s more is that it’s considerably cheaper than drinking in neighbouring areas of the city.

Yay, the Mardyke. This is a fun pub to visit, near to the Grain Barge and that side of the docks in Hotwells. It’s much much cheaper than any of the other pubs around and a really good place to come out for a drink and a chat, with your mates or the staff. Despite the slightly odd name, this really is a fun night out.
Lots of ciders and ales on offer, I’d say this was more of a pint pub than a luxurious spirit drinking place.

The Mardyke is one of those wonderful places in Bristol where old Hells Angels go to die. And lot of other people, who sadly happen to be standing on the younger hells angels toes when buying a drink in this incredibly busy pub — its extrememly cheap, and the community of Hotwells know about it.
Risk factor aside, its a great place for a cheap drink and conveniently close to a good fish and chips venue and an, um. interesting chicken and ribs venue.
If you’re organising a pub crawl in Hotwells, be sure to include this on the itinerary and bag all the cheap booze you can.

The Mardyke attracts those from all walks of life and this is primarily because it’s one of the most affordable places to have a pint in Bristol. There’s a fish and chip shop next door that they allow you to eat in the pub if you want. From freshers to old fellas, the Mardyke is the place to go for pork scratchings and scrumpy!!!