Disappointingly, I didn’t spot anybody with a parrot on their shoulder. Come to think of it, there was no evidence of drinkers with peg legs or eye-patches either.
That wasn’t always the case at the Golden Guinea, a tucked-away pub in Redcliffe. In the 18th-century, this historic inn would have been frequented by pirates, sea captains and all manner of wrong ’uns.
But then the fascinating history of Guinea Street is well documented. Named after the gold coins from West Africa’s Guinea coast, this unassuming street between the harbour and Redcliffe church once featured on TV’s A House Through Time.
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During the series, Bristol-based history professor David Olusoga told the story of one house whose previous occupants included 18th-century pirates and sugar merchants. He revealed that sea captains and slave traders Edmund Saunders and Joseph Holbrook both lived at the other end of the street from where the pub is.
With its colourful hanging baskets and friendly atmosphere, it’s hard to imagine the Golden Guinea used to attract such a rum crowd. Although Caribbean rums do feature heavily on the drinks list, maybe as a nod to the street’s bittersweet history.
Inside, the pub is an intriguing mix of traditional and modern. There are huge gilt mirrors on the walls and the sort of wingback leather armchairs you might expect to see occupied by retired judges in stuffy private members’ clubs.
There are wooden boards, church pew seating, small frilly Victorian-style sidelights and leather sofas, but there’s also graffiti on the walls. By which I mean commissioned artwork rather than rude inscriptions about somebody’s mother on the toilet door.
As well as a small outdoor seating area at the front, there's also a terrace at the back. It's a tranquil spot for a post-work pint after work when the weather allows.
Behind the bar, the huge choices of spirit bottles are jostling for space. There are plenty of gins but it’s the rums that really catch the eye.
These include classics like Captain Morgan and Mount Gay Eclipse but also trendy modern rums such as Kraken. Best of all, there are bottles of Kingston 62 Jamaica Gold Rum and Spytail Cognac Cask rum.
When it comes to the handpumps and taps, the thing that strikes you first is the lack of mainstream beers and lagers. Apart from San Miguel, I didn’t see another global brand, just independents and West Country brewers.
For cider drinkers, there’s Thatchers Dry, Thatchers Gold and Rosie’s Pig. Lager heads can choose between Bristol Beer Factory’s Infinity Helles Lager or St Austell Korev lager, with Bristol Beer Factory’s Milk Stout replacing Guinness as the darkest option.
But it’s the real ales that draw beer fans to the Golden Guinea and the choice is overwhelming. The handpumps when I visited included the pub’s own ale, Hampshire’s Vibrant Forest Summerlands Session IPA and two Somerset beers - Parkway Brewing Co. Session I.P.A and Quantock Brewery QPA Session Pale Ale.
The keg beers included Bristol Beer Factory Southville Hop, Vibrant Forest Brewery Castanea, New Bristol Brewery Summacrush, Tiny Rebel Shake Down and Arbor Shangri-La.
I didn’t spot any signs of food on offer at the Golden Guinea. Instead, a range of crisps, from the posh packets of Burts to proper old school tuck shop favourites like Monster Munch and Scampi Fries - still the best pub snacks around.
Local beers, Caribbean rums and proper bar snacks. It’s enough to make even Blackbeard himself shout ‘splice the mainbrace’ and get a round in.
Golden Guinea, 19 Guinea Street, Redcliffe, Bristol, BS1 6SX. Tel: 0117 9872034.
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