One thing we're not short of near the Memorial Ground is pubs and for anyone who hasn't been there before, or even those that have, here's TSOM's view of the local hostelries, starting from the top...
The Royal George :
Not the plushest of pubs (OK so it hasn't been painted this century) but pretty friendly as a rule. The old landlady was a Gashead and welcomed any fans into the pub and although it's changed hands twice this season it is still OK for fans - home and away. Pool Table and a beer garden, albeit one that backs onto the car park plus a reasonable selection of cheap food.
The Duke of York :
As one of the Pied Horse Coach once said "F*ck me, there's some boys get in there!" Full to the rafters with Gas, it's not a pub you want to go and sing in if you're an away fan - Exeter tried that last season and by all accounts they didn't last too long. Hell to get a drink in past 2pm but plenty of room outside when it's warm enough.
The Wellington :
Pretty chaotic which isn't really a surprise seeing as it's only a couple of minutes walk from the ground. Plenty of room inside and out, both at the front and in the beer garden at the back. Trying to get a beer isn't a pleasant experience unless you get there at about 12 - keep hold of your glass once you've got it, as they tend to run out! Usually friendly enough for away fans, although there were problems when Plymouth visited first game of the season.
The Victoria :
Top atmosphere, especially after the game once people have moved on from the Wellington, and is usually buoyed by the traditional Kingswood/Barmy Banjo Army rivalry. It's also the place to hear the Rovers compilation tape with Goodnight Irene and other Gas songs - unfortunately that includes Rod Hull and Emu. Expect to sing a lot and make sure you know the words to The Tote End Boot Walk.
The John Cabot
Before it was revamped as a 'family pub' this was always a Gas stronghold. However the landlord seems to have got over his initial anti-football stance (maybe the lost revenue was a factor) and you can expect to find a fair number of fans here. As a family pub kids are welcome and food served at lunchtime. Mysteriously shut for 'maintenance work' when we played Millwall last season!
Bar Oz :
Formerly the Showboat and now an Australian theme pub - basically expect just that. Pretty tacky and naff with limited atmosphere, unless you get a load of Gas in there when it gets a bit better. As there are a load of pubs nearer the Memorial Ground it tends to be a post-match drinking hole.
The Old Fox :
Old by name and pretty ancient inside. Not a pub used heavily by football fans - or anyone else for that matter. Looks like a throwback to the '50's or earlier and unless you want to do every pub on Gloucester Road it's not really worth stopping at.
Finnegan's Wake :
One of the increasing number of Irish theme pubs. Pretty big and again more of a post match pub due to its distance from the Memorial. Exactly the same as every other pub of the same name so if you've been in one you'll know exactly what to expect.
The Robin Hood :
When I was a kid we always reckoned that the distance between the Golden Lion (as Finnegan's Wake then was) to The Robin Hood was far too long so we always shared a bottle of Cider or something between the two. These days it doesn't seem that far - The Robin Hood hasn't changed much though - still very basic.
The Bristol Flyer :
Very much a 'townie' pub. It's the sort of place where on certain nights they only let couples in! Saturday nights expect to see bouncers on the door who may not take kindly to large groups of lads pissed up after football turning up. Big inside with pool tables etc and Karaoke if you're particularly unlucky.
The Foresters :
Irish pub with bars up and downstairs. Pretty friendly but not usually over exciting!
The Hobgoblin :
Another pub from a pretty large chain. Not bad but tends to be full of students during term time and could do with a bit of ventilation! Wary of football and bar staff have been known to ask fans to take their scarves off! Also likely to shut if they think there's a chance of trouble - despite being a fair distance from the ground.
The Prom Wine Bar :
As it says in the name a wine bar and not really a football place. OK as wine bars go unless they have live music when you can't hear a thing.
The Prince of Wales :
If you've done every pub 'til now you won't really be that worried about facilities. Another pub frequented by students and tends to get really full during university terms. I've never really worked out why - no juke box or pool table and the landlady is a miserable cow. Her husband is a bit better but gets really upset if you call him 'Big Ron'.
The Cat and Wheel :
Another big pub with two bars. Nothing special but nothing bad about it either.
The Berkley Castle :
A fair walk from the Cat and Wheel and you may be better off heading up to Montpelier at this point. Old boys pub where people are unlikely to have known that a match took place.
Bristol Brewhouse :
Allegedly sells the strongest beer in the country - so worth a visit for that alone. As the name suggests they do a fair number of real ales and the décor to match - lots of bare wood etc.
The Bank :
Owned by Club Loco which is pretty much underneath the pub. Nothing special but a handy place to drink if you fancy clubbing afterwards.
The Old Pie and Pint :
Another place that's OK - if you can still stand up!
The Orange Tree :
Small and friendly with really cheap food if you're here at lunchtime.
The Full Moon :
Big pub right on the edge of Broadmead so reasonably busy and violent on a Saturday night. Possible sighting of your first Shithead of the night - even if he's not wearing a shirt you'll recognise him by the 'sleeping giant, Premiership stadium, big club' crap that he spouts.
The Eclipse :
Right next to The Full Moon and very similar but smaller.
Other pubs off Gloucester Road :
Ashley Down Road :
The Foresters :
About a 15 minute walk to the Ground but a bit easier to get served here! Friendly and usually quite a lot of Gasheads here before the game. Never a problem for away fans to visit.
The Ashley Arms :
Just down the road from the Foresters, although not as heavily used by fans.
Montpellier :
The Old England, Bath Buildings :
Huge pub also known as The Dog and Hippy which should give you the general idea.
The Montpellier, between St Andrews Road and Richmond Road :
Another pub catering for crusty clientele - it tends to vary a lot though between being practically empty and really trendy although the last couple of times I was there it was the former. If you get asked 'Do you smoke?' it's probably not Silk Cut that you're being asked about.
The Cadbury, Richmond Road :
Always full on a Saturday night - popular with students so it gets a bit better out of term time. Has a partially covered garden so you can still sit outside in the rain & when it's not summer.