Pubs and Bars / A-Z Bristol pub crawl
A-Z Bristol Pub Crawl: The Fire Engine, Redfield
Midday on Church Road is a bustle of activity, with eateries and shops gathering customers in scores.
And even from 400 yards away, the sight of the Fire Engine is unmistakable — its blazing red, albeit fading, paint living up to the name.
A patron pops in for a midday pint. The space is welcoming, with an unpretentious drink selection and a solid array of continental lagers.
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On a surprisingly warm autumn day, he settles on a pint of Foster’s which sets him back £3.30 – a very reasonable price these days in Bristol.
The easy ambience of the Fire Engine is the perfect setting for a midday pint
The pub itself is quiet, save for a few elderly men catching up over few pints.
The patron makes a beeline to the left wing near the TV showing the latest offerings of racing, while a local comes near the screen on the wall and grumbles over a photo finish before returning to his mates.
The pub, with a vibrant history spanning some 250 years, has an easy ambience that makes one feels at home straight away.
There are no darting looks or quizzical glares for someone who isn’t a regular.
There is no shortage of homages to music icons inside the Fire Engine
A jukebox runs through a jumble of sounds — Sabrina Carpenter, then Albinoni, then a rock anthem unknown to the patron — a curious but oddly uplifting soundtrack.
At the back, in semi-darkness, fruit machines glow beneath walls decorated with tasteful tributes to music icons such a Jimi Hendrix and Slash.
It is a straightforward, honest boozer with no hint of pretence — just the place for a quiet pint in the middle of the day.
Even from a distance, the sight of the Fire Engine is unmistakable
The Fire Engine, 188 Church Road, Redfield, Bristol, BS5 9HX
All photos: Milan Perera
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