The Bristol Fringe — Restaurant in Bristol

We came to the pub specifically for the magic show, which we’d heard great things about and were really excited to see. Since it was our first time, we weren’t sure how it all worked. The pub was very busy, so we couldn’t get a seat and instead stood by the bar where the magician was. He wasn’t performing at the time, so we asked him how the show usually worked. He said he performed at the bar and that people gathered around to watch, so we waited there, expecting some kind of announcement or signal when it started.

While waiting, we all bought a drink and were just chatting among ourselves, only to be told by the magician that we were “blocking” other people and even called “rude” for having our backs to him — despite the fact that he hadn’t actually started performing and hadn’t engaged with us at all. Feeling a bit awkward, we moved away to a table and continued to watch as he performed for group after group.

After sitting there for an hour, we eventually went back to ask if we could see a performance, only to be told abruptly that it was over. When we asked if we could come another time, the magician told us we shouldn’t come back at all because we had been rude, unfriendly, and apparently hadn’t “smiled enough” at him.

As first-timers, we felt completely unwelcome. We came in excited and curious, only to be met with an unfriendly attitude and no effort to include us or explain how things worked. We would have been more than happy to wait our turn for other groups to go first! It’s hard to see how new people are meant to join in when the magician makes no attempt to engage and instead labels guests as rude for simply not knowing the process.

That said, the pub itself has a lovely atmosphere and environment, with what seemed like a great jazz night happening at the same time! So my tips for anyone new to the show would be: arrive early to get a table, and don’t stand near the bar after ordering a drink...

Very rude bar staff. We were watching a musician for less than one song while waiting for the queue at the bar to die down and the song to finish when we were told we had to buy something or get out.

Sadly the musician was very talented and didn't deserve their song being interrupted and losing their audience to rude bar staff before they have a chance to buy a drink.

Edit: Contrary to the owner's claims, we were inside for less than one song before being asked to buy a drink or leave. Yes, there was a queue at the bar, which is why we stood a bit away, not occupying a table (all of which were full) or blocking anyone. Being pressured so abruptly creates a hostile and unprofessional environment, especially during a live performance.

Asking for tips during a song in such a small space is distracting and disrespectful to both musician and audience, it is very easy to wait for the gap between songs. Had we been there for more than a single song, we obviously would have bought drinks and tipped. A polite ask after 20 minutes would have been completely reasonable.

If the venue wants to survive, they should treat customers and musicians with respect to create a welcoming atmosphere. Or make the event ticketed if they expect payment within two minutes of stepping through the door.

This is not the first review (and likely not the last, judging by the owner's reply) where the venue has been criticised for being rude to customers and even to one of their...

Lovely pub if you're looking for something a bit on the dive-y side. It's also got a great, mostly relaxed atmosphere. There are live events pretty much every night and most of them are free. Lots of times it's jazz, and the musicians are really passionate so donating when the hats start coming around is a really nice thing to do if you can spare it.

If you're not looking for a night of drinks and live jazz though (side note: we can't be friends) the events are held in the back and separated by a door. I can't speak for all the drinks because they have old Rosie so I get that every time. Amazing cider if you haven't tried it, a little over seven per cent, and they keep it warm which is how I like it!

In all, a great pub with a fun, laid back atmosphere, and there's a seafood shop about a minute's walk away that's open pretty late if you're stumbling out and fancy a some deep fried goodness before...