
Quick info
About Old Market Tavern
Old Market Tavern is a traditional pub in Bristol city centre that welcomes gamers and D&D groups, as well as LGBTQ+ customers and dogs. Inside, couches and sofas sit in nooks, so there are places to settle in with a group or a game. The bar keeps real ale on tap, with a selection to choose from. Card payments come with a minimum, so customers order two drinks before paying by card. The pub is at 29-30 Old Market St.
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention beer garden, real ale, cosy sofas and smoking area with roof.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention beer garden, real ale, cosy sofas and smoking area with roof.
Customer Review Summary
Friendly bar staff draw the most praise at this Old Market pub, with reviewers describing barmen who remember regulars' drinks and chat about life in Bristol. Close behind are real ale and a good selection on tap, plus a garden or yard out back and a covered smoking area. Several describe a cosy interior with nooks and comfy sofas, a welcoming crowd that includes the LGBT+ community, and drinks they find well priced for the city centre. The recurring complaint concerns the owner. Three reviewers describe being confronted as loiterers: two friends drinking soft drinks, a slow drinker who had bought drinks for an hour while waiting for a lift, and a customer who had sat ten minutes waiting for a friend before ordering. One reviewer also recalls a server brusquely pushing past a group looking for spare chairs, though they still call it a nice pub. The most detailed account ends with the owner pulling a table out from in front of a customer and telling them to buy a drink or leave.
Customer Review Summary
Friendly bar staff draw the most praise at this Old Market pub, with reviewers describing barmen who remember regulars' drinks and chat about life in Bristol. Close behind are real ale and a good selection on tap, plus a garden or yard out back and a covered smoking area. Several describe a cosy interior with nooks and comfy sofas, a welcoming crowd that includes the LGBT+ community, and drinks they find well priced for the city centre. The recurring complaint concerns the owner. Three reviewers describe being confronted as loiterers: two friends drinking soft drinks, a slow drinker who had bought drinks for an hour while waiting for a lift, and a customer who had sat ten minutes waiting for a friend before ordering. One reviewer also recalls a server brusquely pushing past a group looking for spare chairs, though they still call it a nice pub. The most detailed account ends with the owner pulling a table out from in front of a customer and telling them to buy a drink or leave.
Featured reviews
- Darren Ventham
“Great traditional pub with beer garden. Staff are welcoming. Drinks are well priced. Caters for a wide range of clientele including those from the LGBT+ community.”
- Holly Mosley
“Great pub and yard out back and good selection on tap. The staff are really friendly and helpful, especially Daisy!”
- Oliver
“Sat at table waiting for friend for 10 minutes before grabbing a drink. Owner stared at me for 8 of those minutes, then came over and was immediately incredibly aggressive about the fact I hadn’t ordered yet, I explained I was waiting but would be getting a drink soon, he then shouted and swore at me multiple times before pulling table out from in front of me and telling me to buy a drink or leave. Sanitised this recount for Google reviews sake”
- Rennea
“Very disappointing! I’ve been here many times and always thought it was a lovely pub, with friendly and welcoming staff. Unfortunately, I recently had a horrible experience with the owner. My friend and I were sworn at and told we were loitering simply because we were drinking soft drinks rather than alcohol. At the time, we were the only people in the pub apart from one other woman, so this felt completely unnecessary and unprovoked, as two young females we felt completely attacked. After reading other reviews, it seems this may not be an isolated incident. If you’re thinking of spending your money here, I’d recommend considering other establishments.”
- Agnes Belle
“Great atmosphere, amazing staff and superb service!”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Good to know
“We are a tradional pub located near the city centre in Old Market. Good is served evenings except sunday. georgous tradtional interior and sunny garden. We are gamer, D&D, LGBTQ+ and Dog friendly.”
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible entrance · Wheelchair-accessible car park
Amenities
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Show more amenities
- Accessibility· 1
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
Location
Bars near Old Market Tavern
- Honi Poke Bristol4.51610.2 mi£10–20Wheelchair accessibleTakeout
customisable poké bowls, katsu chicken bowl, mochi desserts
- The Crown Tavern4.31440.2 mi£10–20
bass ale, darts, local cask ales and ciders
- Left Handed Giant Brewpub4.61,2760.3 mi£10–20Wheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
craft beers on draft, wood fired pizzas, pale ales
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Market Tavern | 4.5703 | — | — | beer garden, real ale, cosy sofas |
| Honi Poke BristolWheelchair accessible · Takeout | 4.5161 | 0.2 mi | £10–20 | customisable poké bowls, katsu chicken bowl, mochi desserts |
| The Crown Tavern | 4.3144 | 0.2 mi | £10–20 | bass ale, darts, local cask ales and ciders |
| Left Handed Giant BrewpubWheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.61,276 | 0.3 mi | £10–20 | craft beers on draft, wood fired pizzas, pale ales |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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