Four friends behind the refurbished venue are hoping for it to be crowned Bristol’s Pub of the Year
We’re on the search for Bristol’s pub of the year in 2025(Image: Getty)
The good times are back at The Ship Inn in Bristol city centre, nearly a year after it re-opened under the management of four mates. Chris McGuire, Alex Roach, Tarik Graba and Stuart McGuire took on stewardship of the long-established Lower Park Row boozer after it closed down under previous management in March 2023.
After an extensive refurbishment, The Ship Inn reopened in October 2024. Since then, the pub has received a series of good reviews online, and it has now been nominated for Bristol Live’s Pub of the Year award.
“We are four hospitality friends who wanted the pubs we loved to be more,” Chris said. “More in offering, look, feel and style.”
The Ship Inn reopened under new management in October 2024(Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)
To that end, the four friends have added some quirky features to The Ship Inn. They installed a cocktail station, and cocktails sales now outstrip beer sales – possibly due to the venue’s prime studentland location, with many University of Bristol buildings a stone’s throw away.
‘Cactus Charlie’, the pub’s tequila happy hour cocktail, is its best selling drink, followed by Guinness and Red Stripe.
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The Ship team are building a strong head of steam in the Bristol hospitality game, with popular Clifton venues Vittoria and Barrelhouse also under their stewardship.
Food is not available at The Ship, but Detroit-style pizza can be ordered in from Barrelhouse.
The Ship Inn also has a hidden downstairs area, featuring a secret beer garden and a karaoke bar.
Chris said the karaoke bar was generally a hit, but he acknowledged it occasionally caused a headache for staff.
He said “having to stop a couple who wanted to do their fourth rendition of ‘spice girls- 2 become 1’ on the jukebox and having to explain why it wasn’t a good idea,” was one moment that stood out, for better or for worse.
The pub features a rotating list of more orthodox pub entertainment, such as live music, open mic nights and a quiz.
Shuffleboard and darts are also available for those who like to spice up their drinking with a bit of competitive action.
Chris said being awarded the Pub of the Year title would mean “everything” to the team at The Ship, so early in its life as a new pub.
“We have been here nearly 12 months and this would really put us on the map,” he said.