The Drapers Arms, Bristol

15/04/2026

We're frequently asked to list our "very popular" lunch and dinner menus on various websites which will (apparently) generate untold riches from new restaurant bookings. All you need to know is that our Soup du Jour is, perennially, Bière Anglaise. Like the Cole Porter song; C'est magnifique.

09/04/2026

I'm pretty confident this is our lowest average beer mileage ever. According to Google Maps, the average distance our casks have travelled to us is 2.64 miles. That's about two miles - and a kilometre. Give or take. If you can forgive such geographic tautology. Thank you New Bristol Brewery Good Chemistry Brewing Bristol Beer Factory

08/04/2026

A customer contacted me on Facebook with the following:
"There was an incident tonight where posters were taken down and comments made. I really don't think a pub is the place for anyone's political views. Perhaps those posters shouldn't have been there to begin with?"

My response to her was as follows:
"Thank you for your comments. One of my staff, working last night, plays in a band; who are performing at a gig next week. He asked could he advertise. I said yes. The gig is for medical aid for Palestinians. Anyone who thinks that's raising money for humanitarian relief for foreign people (they don't like) is turning The Drapers Arms in to a "political" venue is welcome to raise the topic with me - and drink elsewhere. They are not free to tear down our posters and think they're welcome back"

I wasn't planning to go to the gig myself - I am now. https://www.thecroftbristol.co.uk/whats-on

07/04/2026

Our lost property items are giving the local charity shops a run for their money. From bags of railway magazines, jackets, coats, scarves and hats we've something for everyone. You'll be able view, peruse, model or collect any of your items in our Spring Collection, in the next 7 days here, prior to it's removal to a more suitable retail outlet.

03/04/2026

It wouldn't be right this weekend without Easter Eggs. So, who would like a limited edition Chocolate Pickled Egg? Get them while they last. We've only the one jar to last us until next Easter.

31/03/2026

Easter is upon us. Extra hours available. Is it what Jesus would have wanted? We'll never know.

28/03/2026

Over the years we've had over 1,000 mostly(!) excellent reviews on various Social Media sites. This is our first old school handwritten one, on a card, delivered through the post. It says; "Dear all, My son and I visited your establishment last Saturday and had a great evening, wonderful staff and excellent beer. Nice to find pubs like this still doing well in the U.K. in difficult times. Enjoyed all the beers we tried. Thanks, looking forward to visiting you again in the future! Best Wishes, Bruce W...." wow, Brilliant! Thank you very much, Bruce. It's a cracking postcard - and now on display on our wall.

20/03/2026

As most of you who knew him are already aware Andrew (Meikle) sadly passed away recently. Posh Andrew (as he was referred to by some of our less "posh" customers) was one of of our oldest (literally and chronologically) and nicest customers - having been with us, nearly every week since the very beginning. Fantastic stories about his time in the West Indies, Africa as well as on and off the rugby field all over the world. He'll be missed. His funeral will be at 11:15am April 1st at Canford Crematorium and his life will be celebrated at the Henbury Golf Club afterwards. All welcome.

14/03/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1B4mHuNBc6/

"It's always busy with a loud buzz of conversation"

05/03/2026

We're very pleased to be voted one of the best micropubs in the UK by Pete Brown, the British Beer Writer of the Year in 2009, 2012, 2016 and 2021. His article - illustrated by a nice picture of Tom, Nuala and two unknown customers - is available, online, to subscribers of The Times newspaper (which I'm not) and to purchasers of this week's edition of the Sunday Times (of which I am one). We're chuffed!

Cask ales, no music and full of community spirit: these boozers are small but beautiful

28/02/2026

Good news - if you're called David*. If you come into The Drapers Arms, Bristol tomorrow (St. David's Day) you'll get a free pint of Welsh beer. If we've been calling you Bill or Tommy or some such since you've been drinking here - and you now offer this biblical revelation of your "real" name in order to claim a free pint - expect to be challenged. Robustly. For the rest of you; Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus i chi! *As you all probably know, David is a Hebrew name meaning "beloved" (derived from dawid), which has numerous international variations due to its biblical origin. Common forms include David (English, French, Spanish, German), Davide (Italian), Dawid (Polish), Dávid (Hungarian), Daoud/Dāwūd (Arabic), Dáithí (Irish) and, of course, Dafydd (Welsh). p.s. We'll be repeating this next week for St. Piran's Day - but anticipate a lower uptake.