Quick info
About Highbury Vaults
Highbury Vaults is a pub on St Michael's Hill in Bristol, close to Bristol University and the hospital. The building dates to the 1840s, and the interior keeps its leather bench seating and an original snug bar with a jug and bottle hatch. The pub is a warren of rooms with nooks and crannies, and a walled garden with metal sculptures sits at the back. The bar pours real ale, including guest ales and several Young's beers, along with cider on tap and Guinness. The kitchen serves Sunday roasts and pub food such as fish pie. The pub is open daily. A model railway runs through the walls the length of the building, and a selection of games is on hand.
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention beer garden with heaters, real ale selection, model railway and sunday roasts.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention beer garden with heaters, real ale selection, model railway and sunday roasts.
Customer Review Summary
The garden is what reviewers raise most, a walled courtyard with interesting metal sculptures, where heaters and a partial cover keep the outside area warm on cold evenings. Beer comes close behind, with several Young's beers, real ale, cider on tap and a pint of Guinness all singled out, and one longtime regular laments that Smiles brewery no longer exists. Inside, diners describe a traditional warren of cosy rooms, nooks and corners, plus a good selection of games. Food gets less attention but strong praise, including smoked mackerel nicoise salad, housemade fish pie, sticky toffee pudding and Sunday roasts. Staff are repeatedly called friendly. The main drawback is crowding: reviewers say it fills up even in the week, and one says getting a table means being quick. Two reviewers close on the same whimsical detail, a model railway that runs the entire length of the pub.
Customer Review Summary
The garden is what reviewers raise most, a walled courtyard with interesting metal sculptures, where heaters and a partial cover keep the outside area warm on cold evenings. Beer comes close behind, with several Young's beers, real ale, cider on tap and a pint of Guinness all singled out, and one longtime regular laments that Smiles brewery no longer exists. Inside, diners describe a traditional warren of cosy rooms, nooks and corners, plus a good selection of games. Food gets less attention but strong praise, including smoked mackerel nicoise salad, housemade fish pie, sticky toffee pudding and Sunday roasts. Staff are repeatedly called friendly. The main drawback is crowding: reviewers say it fills up even in the week, and one says getting a table means being quick. Two reviewers close on the same whimsical detail, a model railway that runs the entire length of the pub.
Featured reviews
- Bex Middleton
“I just love this pub. Always a great atmosphere, lots of cosy corner, a good selection of games, the outside area manages to stay warm even when it’s cold outside as there are heaters and it’s partially covered. Good beer selection.”
- Adam Steiner
“My favourite Bristol pub for 30 years. Friendly, a great selection of beers, and such a calm and happy vibe. My only complaint is that Smiles brewery doesn't exist any more.”
- Indy Ro
“Great pub with lovely garden area, great selection of beers. Friendly bar staff and easy access to toilets.”
- Laura Irons
“Really cute quaint little pub dating back to the early 1800's. Traditional inside and serving great cider on tap and an amazing pint of Guinness! Staff are so friendly and welcoming, you need to be quick to get a table as it's pretty busy, they also have a gorgeous garden out the back with heating lamps - perfect for cold evenings like this. Really nice atmosphere, definitely recommend it to anyone staying around the Clifton area.”
- Christoforos Kitsos
“One of the most typical local pubs. A great place with beautiful decoration and a beautiful garden. Ideal for every occasion. A historic place anymore for Bristol area”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Good to know
“Located close to Bristol University and the hospital, the Highbury Vaults is everyone's favourite local, from students, lecturers and academics to doctors and nurses. Dating back to the 1840's, this pub is still very traditional inside with leather bench seating and its original snug bar with a jug and bottle! Step through the pub and into the beautiful hidden walled garden where you can enjoy alfresco this summer. A great real ale selection is on offer from guest ales and Youngs alike. The Highbury Vaults also appears in the CAMRA Heritage Guide and the Good Pub Guide.”
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible car park
Amenities
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
Location
Bars near Highbury Vaults
- The Kensington Arms4.56080.4 miWheelchair accessible
pork belly, bone marrow, sunday roast
- The White Harte Bristol4.31,2720.4 miReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
wing wednesdays, bottomless brunch, pepperoni pizza
- Hillgrove Porter Stores4.76260.4 mi
local craft beer selection, cask real ale, japanese food by kansai kitchen
| Place | Rating | Distance | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highbury Vaults | 4.6968 | — | beer garden with heaters, real ale selection, model railway |
| The Kensington ArmsWheelchair accessible | 4.5608 | 0.4 mi | pork belly, bone marrow, sunday roast |
| The White Harte BristolReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.31,272 | 0.4 mi | wing wednesdays, bottomless brunch, pepperoni pizza |
| Hillgrove Porter Stores | 4.7626 | 0.4 mi | local craft beer selection, cask real ale, japanese food by kansai kitchen |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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