Westbury Park Pub and Kitchen — Restaurant in Bristol

Growing up around here, my mates and I lived for nights at The Cock O’ the North. It was the quintessential local—a proper, unapologetic pub. The kind of place where the regulars had their spots etched into the floor, the toilets were more a challenge than a convenience, and the smoke hung so thick you could lose a game of darts just by breathing. Pork scratchings came with more hair than a 1970s rugby team, and the occasional scuffle out front was all part of the charm. It was a place we loved fiercely and miss just as fiercely now that such pubs are as rare as a free parking space in Clifton.

Fast-forward 35 years, and the same motley crew—though now more likely to be holding court over PTA meetings than pub fights—decided to reunite. Only this time, we brought along wives, kids, and a dose of middle-aged respectability. Our destination? The Westbury Park Pub, the polished phoenix risen from the ashes of our beloved dive.

The first thing that hits you is the familiarity. The curved bar stands as proudly as it did in our youth, a comforting anchor in this sea of change. The haze of cigarette smoke has been replaced by the warm aroma of pizzas, and where once we argued over the footie on a crackling TV, there’s now the soft hum of family chatter and the occasional bark of an overexcited spaniel. The pork scratchings? Relegated to history. Instead, there’s seabass on the menu, along with Oyster mushroom bhaji burger and Pancetta-wrapped dates. (I ask you, what would 18-year-old us have made of Pancetta-wrapped dates?)

The toilets, I am relieved to report, are no longer a health hazard, and yet, for all the glossy updates, The Westbury Park has somehow managed to cling to its soul. This isn’t a gastro-pretender with wine lists longer than its beer offerings. It’s a community pub. The kind of place where locals linger over a pint of Guiness, kids play Uno in the corner, and the laughter flows as freely as the cider.

In an era where pubs seem to be vanishing faster than you can say “last orders,” The Westbury Park is a rare gem. A modern take on an old classic, it’s a reminder that while the details may change, the heart of a great pub never does. So, if you find yourself in the area, take your mates, your partner, your kids, even your dog. Grab a pint, sit back, and soak it all in. It’s not The Cock O’ the North, but it’s a damn...

My friends and I (8 of us) came into the pub for dinner. The staff were rude to us from the start. Perhaps we didn't 'look' like we met their demographic; being in casual clothes after going to the cinema. But had we received good service from the start, we would have provided business for the rest of the evening. The staff were negligent and slow and had to be prompted for our entire experience. They didn't really want to help seat us, despite there being a several tables that could sit us available - One member of staff pointed across the pub at what chairs we could grab to squeeze around a small table. No offer to help or anything like that. We went to go order our drinks and food at the bar, to then have a male member of staff scathingly explain that it wasn't how their pub operated. The tone and attitude was really quite strange, almost like we were being told off? Had we not been ignored for over 30 minutes while some staff paced back and forth 'looking' busy, we wouldn't have assumed that's the way the pub operated. Two of my friends ordered the steak and stilton pie to have to constantly pull out meat gristle from their mouthfuls, not very pleasant at all. One member of staff dropped our dirty cutlery in my friend's lap, it's lucky for that member of staff that none of us are the type to be angry at those sorts of things, as although it was an accident, she barely whispered an apology, let alone it being sincere. Just awkwardly grabbed the things they dropped and walked away. 40 minutes after our plates were collected (with not one offer of another drink, or dessert, or coffees). I had to prompt the same member of staff to have our bill, who ironically kept walking past us seemingly free, as she was casually walking, back and forth, empty handed. She dropped our bill off and annoyingly sped off so we had to wait even longer to pay for our food. Almost as if she didn't want us to leave? But we were made to feel unwelcome as soon as we entered the pub. There was no attentiveness to the customer service at all. DO...

I recently visited Westbury Park Pub and Kitchen with a friend. While the initial ambiance seemed promising, the overall experience left much to be desired.

Firstly, we were surprised and disappointed to witness the staff beginning to close down the pub while we were still dining at 9:30 PM, well before the advertised closing time of midnight. This made us feel rushed and unwelcome, and it significantly affected our enjoyment of the evening.

Not only did the staff start mopping tables, turning off the lights and putting chairs on top of tables, but they also approached our table multiple times to take our plates away while we were in the middle of conversations and enjoying a break from eating. This felt intrusive and disrupted the relaxed atmosphere we had hoped for.

Furthermore, cleaning the tables and bar and emptying the water jars while there were still guests present was quite off-putting. It created a sense of urgency and discomfort, as if we were an inconvenience to the staff rather than valued customers.

The contrast between the advertised closing time and the premature closure was disappointing and misleading. It is essential for a business to uphold its published hours to ensure customers can fully enjoy their experience.

Overall, the premature closing and the staff's actions made our visit very unwelcoming and rude. I sincerely hope that management takes these concerns seriously and considers the impact it can have on their patrons. Improving the closing procedures and providing a more welcoming atmosphere will go a long way in ensuring positive customer...