Pubs and Bars / A-Z Bristol pub crawl
A-Z Bristol Pub Crawl: Veeno, Glass Wharf
Surrounded by the sleek, glass exterior of major law and accounting firms, Veeno blends into the corporate nature of its neighbours, with its similar glass structure.
It is only the huddles of people underneath the orange Aperol-branded umbrellas, basking in the Thursday afternoon sunshine, that makes you aware of its purpose in Glass Wharf.
A short walk from Temple Meads, Veeno’s atmosphere is more reminiscent of a combined restaurant and bar, as opposed to a pub.
Bottles of wines and spirits adorn the shelves behind the bar at Veeno
The interior is equally as alive with conversation from all kinds of people, many of whom are dressed in office attire and craving a drink after a long day of work.
Veeno aims to replicate the Italian Aperitivo experience, and clearly, they have appealed to the right audience. Bottles of spirits and wines adorn the shelves, which are draped in greenery, a cosy contrast to the corporate atmosphere.
If these bottles are not appealing, then the wine on tap is bound to be appealing, adding even more modernity to a place is already fit for the 21st century.
All of their wines are sourced from the family vineyard, Caruso & Minini, located in Sicily. The vineyard itself dates back to the 19th century, where the family’s ancestors planted the first vines.
The importance of family to Veeno’s character means that by stepping inside, you are stepping into a cosy, familiar space, as seen by the rustic lamps hanging down from the ceiling.
The Italian authenticity of this bar, which originally opened in 2013 in Manchester, does not stop at its selection of drinks. It reaches far and wide into the Italian heartland, serving fresh and appetising platters, the ingredients of which are mostly sourced from the European country itself.
While its Manchester site may have since closed, the bar continues to serve drinks and food from five other locations in the country.
At their Bristol site, every few minutes a stream of plates with meats, cheeses and olives are flowing from the kitchen, adjacent to the bar – ready to be enjoyed by patrons dropping in for a breather after work.
Smaller groups seem to drift towards choose individual meals for themselves, including deep dish-style pizzas and bowls of fragrant pasta.
For anyone perplexed by the multitude of choices on their menu, a wall at the back, adorned with a map of Italy and its 20 regions, labels speciality productions of each area – allowing people to make an informed and conscious choice.
Veeno, 1 Glass Wharf, Bristol, BS2 0EL
www.veenobars.com
All photos: Martin Booth
Read next:
- Wine bar Veeno opens near Temple Meads
- New wine bar being opened by experienced pub landlords
- New wine shop sells artisan wines from Portugal
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