It dates from the 18th-century
The new owner refurbished the entire building
The Crown in the heart of St Nicholas Market dates back to 1741 and was once an inn frequented by merchants, dock workers and, one imagines, quite a few pirates and salty sea dogs.
Back then, the main trading area of this Grade II-listed 18th-century pub would have been in the vaulted cellars, a space that over time has been used as a live music venue and club.
These subterranean cellars are also said to be haunted by a ghost of a 17th-century man wearing a periwig.
Apparently, the bewigged gent has only ever been seen by women – although I have to say I did spot a few chaps sporting short and curly mullet haircuts in the bar on the night I visited, so who knows?
The Crown was taken over by Marc Griffiths in 2021 when pub company Mitchells & Butlers decided to get rid of it during the pandemic.
Griffiths also runs The Mothers Ruin around the corner on St Nicholas Street and has recently taken over The Colosseum in Redcliffe as part of his company, World Famous Dive Bars.
Prior to Griffiths taking over The Crown, the pub had long enjoyed a reputation for its heavy metal music and screens showing sport.
The new owner refurbished the entire building, from the roof down, adding new floors, lighting and bar.
One of the few city pubs with a licence that allows it to open into the early hours at weekends, The Crown attracts a young crowd of drinkers in the evening, as well as a steady daytime trade from visitors and workers around St Nicholas Market.
On a Tuesday evening, there’s a quiz with a ‘huge’ jackpot and Sunday night is the well-supported ‘Crowneoke’ karaoke sessions.
The Crown in St Nicholas Market
Like sister pub The Colosseum, the pub runs some incredible drinks deals during the daily happy hour from 4pm-8pm.
This includes Holsten Lager and Thatchers Gold for £3 per pint – or four for £10, which must make it one of the cheapest pints in Bristol, especially as one nearby pub has recently been selling a certain beer for an eye-watering £7.80 a pint.
There are also cocktail deals – two for £10 – and options include Sex on the Beach and Tequila Sunrise.
On tap, there’s St Austell Tribute, Harbour Arctic Sky Cold IPA, Mena Dhu Cornish stout, Jubel peach lager, Arbor Motueka, Arbor Shangri-La and Iford New Tradition ‘session cider’.
Wisely, with so many liquid temptations on offer, there is also plenty of food to soak it up with, including 12-inch pizzas (£12.50), chicken wing platters (£15), burgers (£12.50), brisket and gravy dip roll with fries (£12.50), toasted focaccias with fries (£8) and loaded fries (£8).
The Crown, 10 All Saints Lane, St Nicholas Market, Bristol, BS1 1JH.
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