Pubs and Bars / Pub of the Week
Pub of the week: The Beehive
The Beehive is a pub that has picked a theme and run with it – from the yellow, honeycomb-style light shades to the hexagonal titled flooring – there can bee no mistaking where you are.
And rather like its namesake, the relatively understated exterior of this Horfield boozer hides a collection of treasures that all in all make it a mighty fine local to have on your doorstep.
With a strong history dating back some 150 years, the Beehive was taken over by the current owners four years ago and underwent a dramatic refurbishment early in 2018.
The result is bright, clean and spacious – so much so that on first impressions, you might mistake it for a well-dressed chain gastro pub – but on closer look, it is apparent that this is a labour of love, with meticulous attention to detail obvious in the historic photos on the wall, the honeycomb-stained glass art on the wall and even the bee illustrations decorating the menu.
What’s more, it is a local that manages to cater for a broad customer base, with the luxury of a proper bar area and separate dining space leading through to the piece de resistance – a vast, vibrant sun trap garden, complete with blankets to keep the chill off, parasols and a BBQ corner.
Back in the main bar area, a handful of locals are whiling away a rather gloomy bank holiday afternoon, perched on the upcycled bar stools, pints in hand and newspapers spread out on the crossword pages.
“Where’s the sun then?” one man asks another, prompting a glance at the grey skies outside.
“Sun?” comes the reply.
“Yeah, the boy,” clarifies his companion.
“Oh yeah, he’s coming down soon,” confirmed the second man, at which point said son promptly arrives, ending any further confusion.
The atmosphere is relaxed, friendly and genuine. Laughter can be heard from a table in the dining room, where a party of four linger over drinks and one lone man sits at a laptop with a beer and crisps.
Despite it being well past 3pm on a bank holiday Monday, the Beehive staff stay true to the words written on the sign outside advertising food from 12pm – 9pm and willingly produce menus for us to peruse while they set about fetching drink orders from the well-stocked bar.
The meals – fish and chips (£13) and a Moroccan veg pie, served on bed of seasonal greens and a side of chips (£13.50) – are fresh, hearty and absolutely delicious.
The former is fried to perfection, generous in portion and served with a tasty side of ‘bashed’ peas and tartare sauce.
The veggie pie is lacking much in the way of spice, but is nevertheless a thoroughly satisfying, wholesome and imaginative dish that really doesn’t need the accompanying chips, which are dangerously moreish.
The decor may bring back memories of the hit TV show Blockbusters for those over a certain age, but the commitment to the nation’s favourite flying insects – they even sell local honey behind the bar – is just another sweet quirk of a true local gem with a lot of heart and a real buzz about it.
The Beehive, Wellington Hill West, Bristol, BS9 4QY
0117 9490 078
www.beehivebristol.co.uk
Read more: Pub of the Week: The Rose of Denmark
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