Open since the spring, Bar 57 occupies a modest Bedminster corner site with a long and fascinating history. In recent times, it was the Old Butchers bar and then the Friendly Records Bar, but prior to that it was an antiques and bric-a-brac shop for many years.
This was also the local butchers, AD Collard, for more than a century. There are still plenty of clues and reminders as to its original use, from the Victorian stained glass window panels depicting cows to the splendid glazed tiles inside.
With its polished concrete terrazzo floor, retro Formica tables and utilitarian wooden chairs, Bar 57 has a functional and relaxed look. In the low-lit back room, there are strings of fairylights draped across shelves of old spirits bottles and vinyl albums – everything from Grace Jones and Kris Kristofferson to Frankie Goes To Hollywood and Songs from the Jungle Book.
On the evening I popped in for a pint, the place was packed and classic Bob Marley tracks were pumping out of the speakers. But the music wasn’t too intrusive and there was a hubbub of conversation as well as a cosiness to this neighbourhood bar – the type of chilled out refuge we would all love at the end of our street after a long day at work.
More surprising, perhaps, was the fact it was so busy on a weekday ‘school night’ although I soon realised the large table of drinkers next to me were actually teachers enjoying themselves ahead of an inset the day. Let’s hope there was plenty of Nurofen in the staff room first aid box the following morning.
A small blackboard in the front room advertises cocktails, mostly classics like Old Fashioned, Espresso Martini and Negroni. Most drinkers when I was there were sinking pints of Bristol-brewed Lost and Grounded Keller Pils (£5.95), although the location-appropriate North Street Cider was the cheapest pint at £5.35. Other draught beers include Bristol Beer Factory’s Laser Juice and Independence, Arbor Ales Mosaic and Brooklyn Pilsner.
Despite its intimate size, Bar 57 hosts regular comedy nights every Tuesday. Organised by Chops Comedy, past headliners have included Ed Gamble, Rosie Jones, Nish Kumar and Jayde Adams.
The next one is on October 22 and the ‘secret’ headliner has appeared on Live at The Apollo and Russell Howard’s Stand Up Central. The following Tuesday (October 29), the ‘secret’ special guest is a comedian who has appeared on Mock The Week and The Chris McCausland Show.
Bar 57, 57 North Street, Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 1HJ.