Use them or lose them. That’s still the mantra when it comes to local pubs and an unputdownable new book has made me lament some of the many Bristol pubs we’ve lost over the years.
Published by Pen and Sword Books, ‘London’s Lost Pubs’ by pub historian Sam Cullen documents around 200 London pubs which have closed in the past 25 years. It’s a fascinating if slightly depressing snapshot of some of the capital’s long lost watering holes, from the now demolished Acorn in Hackney to the Woolwich Infant – these days the site of a chicken shop.
And the book certainly got me thinking about all the great Bristol boozers we’ve lost over the past three decades. I’m sure I’m not the only thirsty Bristolian who misses ‘proper’ pubs like The Standard of England in Southmead, The Friendship in Knowle, Wedlocks in Ashton and even the Mail Coach in Broadmead, a welcome refuge for a pint when the rest of the family were shopping.
Many of Bristol’s lost pubs are now supermarkets or flats. Some are simply boarded up and awaiting for the bulldozers.
Since it opened in 1911, The Vittoria on Whiteladies Road would have changed hands countless times and, like most pubs, there would have been periods when it wasn’t open at all. I used to drink there a lot in the 1990s when it was a proper rough diamond of a pub and it was a great place to while away a few hours.
A few years ago, it did close for period and for a short time, its future looked uncertain. Thankfully, the current owners – who also have the Barrelhouse in Clifton (that’s the old Richmond Spring for older readers) and now The Ship Inn on Lower Park Row – have rebooted this small, one room pub.
It’s now very much a pub that appeals to a younger crowd than before. The original Edwardian features sit alongside graffiti signs (everything from ‘tickle me pickle’ to ‘come on Barbie let’s go party’), red fairylights and QR codes on tables for ordering Detroit-style pizzas delivered straight from sister pub the Barrelhouse.
There are still high stools at the bar but also cosy booths in a low-lit room reverberating with carefully chosen music. On select evenings, there’s also live music.
On tap, you can enjoy Beavertown Gamma Ray and Neck Oil, Bath Ales Gem, Amstel, Moretti, Heineken, Guinness and Inch’s cider. There’s even a Vitt lager named after the pub.
The Vittoria has gained quite a reputation for its unbeatable happy hour, which runs every day from 4-7pm. During that time, house lager and cider is £5, house ale £4.50 and medium house wine £4.50.
The pub also draws a crowd for its £6 cocktails. They include Be Passionate (spiced rum, lime, passion fruit and apple) and Stingin’ Rodger (tequila, lime, pineapple and Tabasco), as well as all the classics.
Small, buzzy and welcoming, it’s also the perfect Sunday afternoon pub. That’s when it’s ‘Sunday Funday’ with roasts served from midday, live jazz from 4pm and bottomless Bloody Marys for £5.
You could say it’s the perfect local and it’s great to see it as busy as it used to be. It’s a fine example of a pub being used and well supported and let’s hope it stays like that.
The Vittoria, 57 Whiteladies Road, Bristol, BS8 2LY.