Quick info
About The Architect
Occupying the ground floor and basement of The Empire Hotel on Orange Grove, The Architect is a pub with a terrace facing the Abbey and views toward Pulteney Bridge. The entrance opens onto a bar stocked with wines, spirits and local ales, leading into a high-ceilinged room fitted with booths, lounge seating and pub seating alongside a mix of table sizes. The menu runs to fish and chips and a Sunday roast served with à la carte Yorkshire pudding, and gluten free options are available. A private dining room sits apart from the main room, and for larger group bookings the restaurant can be shared between a private party and other diners. The venue also hosts wedding receptions, with the events team setting up a table for cake and a welcome sign. Dogs are permitted in the dining area, and the pub sits a few minutes' walk from the Abbey.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingPaid street parking · Usually difficult to find a space
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, restroom
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention wedding receptions, sunday roast, fish and chips and gluten free options.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention wedding receptions, sunday roast, fish and chips and gluten free options.
Customer Review Summary
Wedding and reception hosting stands out most, with several diners describing steaks cooked to perfection, a cake set up and ready on arrival, a reserved table extended without fuss, and a dedicated events team praised for easy, prompt communication. Close behind, the Sunday roast draws repeated praise, alongside fish and chips and gluten free options for those with dietary needs. Staff are consistently called attentive and welcoming, and the building itself, opposite the Abbey, earns steady mention as stunning. One reviewer notes a kitchen power issue was handled quickly with clear updates. A more serious complaint comes from one visit where a couple was seated near a loud table of eight, left without a drink order for over ten minutes, and departed after feeling ignored, which they attributed to age based dismissiveness. Another reviewer notes dogs barking during dinner as a minor drawback. Staff at one reception laid out a welcome sign and cake table ahead of the couple's arrival.
Customer Review Summary
Wedding and reception hosting stands out most, with several diners describing steaks cooked to perfection, a cake set up and ready on arrival, a reserved table extended without fuss, and a dedicated events team praised for easy, prompt communication. Close behind, the Sunday roast draws repeated praise, alongside fish and chips and gluten free options for those with dietary needs. Staff are consistently called attentive and welcoming, and the building itself, opposite the Abbey, earns steady mention as stunning. One reviewer notes a kitchen power issue was handled quickly with clear updates. A more serious complaint comes from one visit where a couple was seated near a loud table of eight, left without a drink order for over ten minutes, and departed after feeling ignored, which they attributed to age based dismissiveness. Another reviewer notes dogs barking during dinner as a minor drawback. Staff at one reception laid out a welcome sign and cake table ahead of the couple's arrival.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Beautiful food. Extensive gluten free options. Pippa had great service. Not a huge fan of dogs barking during dinner, but if you’re not fussed by dogs, a great place!”
- Google user
“We hired the venue for a post wedding drinks reception. The venue is stunning, the staff helpful and set up a beautiful wedding reception table with our cake and welcome sign. Food and service excellent, communication with the events team was easy and prompt - we absolutely could not have asked for more. You helped to make our wedding day absolutely perfect in every way. Thank you so much.”
- Google user
“Sunday roast was sooo good! There was an issue with the power in the kitchen, but the staff were very friendly, kept us well informed, and sorted it out quickly. Thank you! Stunning building and amazing location as well, right opposite the Abbey.”
- Google user
“Wonderful on all counts. Lovely, open yet cozy space with very timeless and welcoming feel. The staff are LOVELY and don’t seem at all bothered by the stressful crowds of visitors. Service was surprisingly fast given the size of the establishment. They were kind enough to allow me to order a Yorkshire pudding à la carte on a Sunday. This place is wonderful and so much more than it seems like it will be when you walk in - more than just a pub! If I ever return to bath, I’ll be back 💜”
- Google user
“My partner and I chose the Architect to host our wedding reception in March. The venue is beautiful, the food was lovely, the staff were attentive and we had the best time. We chose to share the restaurant with other diners as we were a small group of 40 - it was a great atmosphere. Our table reservation was extended without fuss so we were able to stay on afterwards and not feel the need to leave. A big thank you to Hannah and the team for helping to make our day so memorable.”
Highlights
“The Architect encompasses part of the ground floor and basement of The Empire Hotel in Bath. It is situated on Orange Grove close, overlooking Pulteney Bridge with a small terrace that looks out onto the Abbey. You will find a bar stocked to the brim with wines, spirits and local ales as you enter through the grand entrance and then a large high-ceilinged room full of booths to nestle into and a mixture of sized tables for large or intimate visits. There is also a more private table if you’d like a special occasion away from the hubbub.”
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Great wine list
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Paid street parking
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Dine-in
Show more amenities
- Food at bar
- Cozy
- Onsite services
- Beer
- Food
- Free water refills
- Offerings· 5
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Private dining room
- Wine
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Accessibility· 1
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Atmosphere· 4
- Casual
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Upscale
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
- Parking· 1
- Usually difficult to find a space
- Dining options· 2
- Seating
- Table service
- Highlights· 3
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Great wine list
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
Location
Bars near The Architect
- The Griffin Inn4.57930.3 mi$139Reservations
sunday roast dinner, allergy accommodation, knowledgeable publican
- The Curfew - Bath4.53540.5 mi
sunday roast lunch, eton mess dessert, well-kept ales
- The Locksbrook Inn4.41,9431.6 mi
beef roast, roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The ArchitectReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.5883 | — | £20–50 | wedding receptions, sunday roast, fish and chips |
| The Griffin InnReservations | 4.5793 | 0.3 mi | $139 | sunday roast dinner, allergy accommodation, knowledgeable publican |
| The Curfew - Bath | 4.5354 | 0.5 mi | — | sunday roast lunch, eton mess dessert, well-kept ales |
| The Locksbrook Inn | 4.41,943 | 1.6 mi | — | beef roast, roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese |
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