The Bag O’ Nails, Bristol

Posted on 09. Apr, 2012 by Robert Gale in Pubs

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Brief History

There has been a pub on the site since 1862/3 and used to be known as the American Eagle. The Bristol Information website, which has information on old Bristol Pubs, lists some early landlords of the pub dating back to 1863.

The pub has been known as the Bag O’ Nails since the 1990s and at the time Bristol Pub of the Year. Trade in the pub declined until the pub closed in 2010. My first visit to the pub was in 2010 and despite having a good selection of ale at a keen price, it was fairly quiet on a Saturday afternoon.

A new landlord took took out a 15 year lease on the pub after an 18 month closure and after giving the pub a refurbishment reopened to customers in December 2011.

The landlord, Luke Daniels, is no stranger to running real ale pubs having previously been the landlord at among others the Three Tuns, the Hare on the Hill and the Smiles Brewery Tap (now the Colston Yard).

The Interior

The pub is possibly one of the smallest pubs in Bristol (the Bridge Inn is equally as small) and is essentially just a single room. It’s just how a traditional boozer should be – cosy and simple with friendly staff and good beer. And similarly to the Bridge Inn, entertainment is provided courtesy of a record player.

The pub does lack a beer garden which is unfortunate given that the Three Tuns has an outside area and the nearby Grain Barge has excellent views of the River Avon and SS Great Britain. When I visited in March 2012, the barman did mention that there are plans to try to convert the roof above the toilets into a seating area.

The Beer

Seven pumps serve up to five ales and two ciders. Beers are from all around the UK but there is a slant towards West Country ales from local breweries such as Dawkins, Moor, Cheddar and Glastonbury.

In addition there are three dozen or so bottled beers from Britain, Belgium, Germany and the USA. It is hoped that this selection will expand throughout 2012.

More Photos of the The Bag O’ Nails

Venue Location

Bag O’ Nails

141 Saint George’s Road

Bristol

BS1 5UW

Tel: 0117 929 2511

sagaofnails.blogspot.com

View on Google Street View

Robert Gale (Twitter: @awv)

Beer Taster, Pub Attendee, Photo Taker

Robert Gale likes beer, pubs and beer festivals. He also likes to take photos of beer, pubs and beer festivals. Most weekends of the year you can find him travelling around the UK (and sometimes beyond) photographing and reviewing good quality pubs and beer festivals. He also has a day job in the form of a web developer for Ozum.