The pub is celebrating its first birthday since reopening after a period of closure
The Rose of Denmark in Hotwells(Image: Bristol Live)
There can’t be many Bristol pubs with jars of pickled eggs on display next to expensive bottles of Taittinger Champagne.
But then The Rose of Denmark is a pub that has always attracted a mixed clientele due to its position beneath the flyover and close to the River Avon.
And we’re lucky to still have it – Hotwells has lost many good pubs over the past 20 years, including the Adam & Eve, Plume of Feathers and Spring Gardens.
For a bit, The Rose of Denmark looked very much like another one to end up on the list of lost Hotwells pubs.
It closed for a year before reopening in July 2024 with experienced local operator Sam Gregory at the helm.
Gregory has a number of popular Bristol pubs in his portfolio including The Bank in the city centre (world famous for its Sunday roasts and the waiting list for a table), The Bell near Stokes Croft and the recently reopened Crown in St Judes.
With The Rose of Denmark, he benefited from Heineken-owned Star Pubs digging deep for a major £450,000 revamp.
What had been a tired and unloved early 19th-century pub has been given a sympathetic makeover that retains much of its late Georgian character.
And what about the unusual name – well, the pub was named after Alexandra of Denmark, Edward VII’s Queen, whose portrait hangs outside.
She was born around the same time the pub opened in the 1840s.
There’s a small and sunny alfresco seating area outside and large screens for live sport (the West Indies v Australia match was on when I visited).
Inside The Rose of Denmark in Hotwells(Image: Bristol Live)
The pub has quiz nights and occasional live music, and it feels very much like a pub that’s part of the local community as well as a pitstop for visitors to the city who maybe spot it as they drive over the flyover outside the front door.
With its stripped wooden floors, heritage colours and exposed brick fireplace, it looks modern and timeless at the same time.
And the range of drinks is broad and offered at prices that don’t put regulars off – all the real ales are under £5 and my perfect condition pint of Wye Valley Butty Bach was £4.90.
Other ales on offer included Bass and Timothy Taylor Landlord, with Thatchers Gold, Amstel, Neck Oil, Moretti, Cruzcampo and Guinness also on tap.
At the time of taking the pub on, Sam Gregory said: “We don’t have a one size fits all approach to our pubs.
“We look at the area, what’s already on offer and identify what is missing and what the community wants. What works for one area doesn’t necessarily work for another.
“Hotwells had been crying out for a decent pub with the elements that we’re introducing for a long time.”
He certainly achieved his goal with The Rose of Denmark and it’s great to see it celebrating its first birthday back open after a dark period when it looked unlikely to ever open again.
Rose of Denmark, 6 Dowry Place, Hotwells, Bristol BS8 4QL.