Pubs and Bars / Pub of the Week
Pub of the Week: The Eastfield Inn
Housed in a large building set back from Henleaze Road, The Eastfield Inn is a spacious local with a friendly feel. Opening the front door to get out of the cold, inside it’s bright and welcoming with upbeat music playing over the speakers and several tables occupied on a recent weekday just after lunch.
The big wooden bar is lit with spotlights and houses six hand pulls offering Bath Ales’ Gem and others with the Cask Marque symbol, accompanied by a range of the usual lagers and ciders. Spirits and wines stack up behind the bar, as do an amazing array of snacks in jars. Next to them on a top shelf are several trophies – in 2017, this place was voted best family pub in the country in the John Smith’s Great British Pub Awards.
From the bar, the room opens out into a seating area with an open fire, while down the side of the building is a sizeable dining area, leading through to a dedicated family room and even a skittles alley. The garden bristles with greenery under winter sun.
The Eastfield Inn is officially the most family-friendly pub in the UK
As the staff behind the bar listen to answerphone messages booking tables for birthday drinks, Mother’s Day meals and lads’ nights out to watch the Six Nations on the big screen, a family finishes off lunch at one of the high wooden tables at the front of the pub. Classics including cider-battered fish and chips (from £8.50), gammon steak with a fried egg on top (from £7.50) and burgers (from £11) are all on the menu.
“Do you have one of our ale reward cards?” The barman asks cheerfully as a man agonises over the choice at the pumps. “Buy ten, get one free.” He takes his drink over towards the glowing open fire, and the barman follows him over to put on another couple of logs. There’s no doubt of a warm reception at this north Bristol gem.
The Eastfield Inn, 219 Henleaze Road, Bristol, BS9 4NQ
0117 239 1466
www.theeastfieldinn.co.uk
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