A small micropub that only opened last year is one of seven new Bristol entries in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2025, which is published today. The Red Monkey in Chandos Road, Redland, was opened in May 2023 by Chris Redmond on the site previously occupied by Chums.
It serves a range of real ales, traditional pub snacks such as cheese and onion rolls, and has live music and a pub quiz. Owner Chris says his predecessor laid the foundations for The Red Monkey’s success. Popular landlord Mark Farrell ran Chums from 2016 until his death in 2022.
Chris says: “Mark was an experienced publican who set up a great cellar which laid the foundations for good beer. We’re a small team – it’s me and my manager Gareth, who worked for Mark previously – so we play our part by ensuring the lines are always clean, the glasses sparkling and each drink is poured with love. Good beer doesn’t pour itself!
“Under the circumstances we would have been bitterly disappointed not to have been included in the latest edition of The Good Beer Guide and we’re very pleased! We’re a community hub and we have a great relationship with all the neighbouring businesses and fantastic restaurants on Chandos Road. Everyone is welcome at The Red Monkey.”
There are 38 Bristol pubs in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2025 and The Red Monkey is one of seven new entries. The others are: Bank Tavern on John Street, Bridge Inn in Passage Street, Left Handed Giant Brewpub in Finzels Reach, Volunteer Tavern in New Street, Post Office Tavern on Westbury Hill and Port of Call in York Street, Clifton.
Russell Coglan, landlord of the Port of Call, said: “We’re really happy to be in the guide as we’ve worked hard to get six real ales on a permanent basis, not many places can offer that. We try to keep to local ales where possible and we run cider and ale festivals.”
Russell was the manager of the pub for five years and then he took over the tenancy of The Port of Call with a business partner in May 2023. He says its tucked away location off Blackboy Hill is part of the pub’s appeal.
“We’re tucked away which keeps us hassle free and we don’t get the usual problems you’d expect to have in a pub. It also has a secret garden, which is popular, and we’ve also been nominated for national award for our Sunday lunches.”
The Good Beer Guide 2025 is published today (September 26) is available to order here.