Quinton House

Thursday 29th October 2009

This is a Crackerjack review of Quinton House. Do you agree? Rate and review this venue.

So, what is Bristol’s smallest pub? That was the question poised in this paper last week when it was announced that the diminutive Quinton House in Clifton had reopened.

Other petite pubs mentioned included the Bridge Inn in Counterslip Passage, the White Lion in Colston Avenue and the Bag o’ Nails on St George’s Road in Hotwells – coincidentally, three of my favourites.

I would throw into the mix The Apple Tree in Bedminster as pubs where you can whisper to the person the other side of the room, but I’m sure there are more so do let me know your thoughts.

Quinton House reopened under new ownership last week after being boarded up for more than 18 months.

An L-shaped, one-room pub a stone’s throw from The Triangle and Queens Road, it has an area of just 45 square metres including the bar, which certainly makes for an intimate experience when it’s busy. The new owner is Patrick Gomm and his wife Annie, who used to run popular Broadmead pub The Artichoke until the lease ran out and the building was demolished last year.

After running such a vast city centre pub with a roaring lunchtime and post-work trade, taking charge of one of Bristol’s smallest boozers must be like a stroll in the park, but that’s not to say the Gomms have cut any corners in restoring Quinton House to its former glory. Even the original (pre-Courage) Georges Brewery signage above the door has made a comeback as a nod to the pub’s long history.

The pub has been completely refurbished with polished wooden floors, burgundy walls and sage green tongue and groove panels. There are old Guinness signs (transported from The Artichoke) and artwork by local artists such as Derek Balmer and John Say.

But it’s the little things like gleaming glasses and perfectly kept pints of real ale (London Pride, Doom Bar or Courage Best) that are testament to the fact that this landlord has years of experience of running pubs properly. How refreshing is that?

A charming little pub tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Queens Road, it’s good to have Quinton House back in such 
safe hands.

MARK TAYLOR

This is a Crackerjack review of Quinton House. Do you agree? Rate and review this venue.