The Dark Horse Pub Hotel Bristol Exterior photo

Key details

About the Hotel

172 Church Road, Bristol, BS5 9HX

Near Bristol Old Vic

Very good

7.6

7.1

/10

"Great local pub with nice selection of craft beers."

Simon from United Kingdom

read full review

"There is an outside staircase, little rickety but safe and leads to a roof terrace which is lovely."

Paul

read full review

"The dark horse was very clean and comfy in a perfect location!"

Lucy from United Kingdom

read full review

3-star contemporary pub accommodation in Bristol with rooftop terrace

Amenities

The Dark Horse Pub offers a fully stocked bar highlighting craft ales, gins, and local farmhouse cider. Guests can enjoy a variety of local craft beers on a rotating basis, enhancing the experience of patrons. The rooftop terrace serves as a stunning spot for taking in the sun with a drink, especially during summer nights with music from local DJs.

Rooms

Three self-contained rooms are available above The Dark Horse, designed to a high standard for those looking for a restful stay in the city. These rooms are conveniently located just a short bus ride or taxi from the city center. The proximity to St George's Park, just two minutes away on foot, adds to the appeal of the accommodation.

Event Spaces

The hotel includes two dedicated event spaces available for both private hire and public events. The sound-proofed Long Room features a stage with lighting and capacity for up to 60 people, suitable for various gatherings like birthday parties or live gigs. The Disco Lounge accommodates up to 30 guests, with seating arrangements conducive to meetings and social gatherings.

Entertainment

Weekly pub quizzes provide entertainment for guests, fostering engagement among visitors. The vibrant atmosphere includes an upright piano for musical evenings and a collection of board games available for patrons. Seasonal DJ events on the rooftop terrace and pub further enhance the entertainment offerings.

Pet-Friendly Policies

The Dark Horse welcomes dogs of all shapes and sizes, making it a suitable choice for pet owners. Its location next to St George's Park offers a convenient area for walks and play. With the prevalent pet-friendly environment, guests can comfortably enjoy their stay with their furry companions.

Highlights

Dining: Craft ales & gins

Event Spaces: Long Room & Disco Lounge

Entertainment: Weekly pub quiz & DJ events

Location: Close to St George's Park

Location: Great

8.3/10Review score

View hotel on map

Highlights from guests

Room FeaturesComfy bed!

The bed was super comfy, ensuring a great night's sleep. The room also had ample storage and tea/coffee facilities.

Olivia from Canada

Review on

BathroomQuality toiletries

The shower room was stocked with nice toiletries and a big, soft towel. The bathroom was clean and functional.

Hans from Netherlands

Review on

DiningCoffee abundance!

I really appreciated the organic fair trade clipper coffee with plenty of white granulated sugar and generous UHT milk pots.

Aisha from United Kingdom

Review on

Media & EntertainmentFreeview included

My spacious room included a Freeview TV. The location is close to shops and food places too.

Kenji from Japan

Review on

Select your room type

The hotel provides a selection of rooms—doubles, family rooms, and suites—with perks like free cancellation, breakfast options, and great value deals

Deluxe Double Room Shower

2 persons

100 sq. feet

1 Double bed

Heating

Shower

room details

King Room

2 persons

120 sq. feet

1 Queen-size bed

Heating

Shower

room details

Room rates & availability calendar

See the best prices and book your dates today!

Amenities & services

Real traveler stories and honest reviews—no glossy ads, just authentic feedback to guide your booking

Facilities: Very good

7.6/10Review score

General

No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
Pets allowed
Security
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key access

Services

Pet amenities available

Dining

Bar/ Lounge area

Children

Board games

Spa & Leisure

Sun terrace

Room features

Heating
Sitting area
Terrace
Garden furniture
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Media

Flat-screen TV

Room decor

Parquet floor

The Dark Horse Pub Location

172 Church Road, Bristol, BS5 9HX

Map view

City landmarks

Bridge

Clifton Suspension Bridge

3.3 mi

Museum

M Shed

2.2 mi

Museum

Brunel's SS Great Britain

2.5 mi

Aquarium

Bristol Aquarium

2.1 mi

Public Building

We The Curious

2.2 mi

Church

Bristol Cathedral

2.2 mi

Square

Bristol

2.0 mi

Landmark

Tyntesfield

2.2 mi

Park

Castle Park

1.6 mi

Cemetery

Arnos Vale Cemetery

1.4 mi

Church

St Mary Redcliffe Church

1.8 mi

Landmark

Saint Pauls

1.4 mi

Museum

Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery

2.3 mi

Gallery

Arnolfini

2.1 mi

Landmark

Bristol Temple Meads

1.4 mi

Tower

Cabot Tower

2.4 mi

Landmark

Raja Ram Mohan Roy Tomb

1.4 mi

Church

Church Of All Hallows

3000 ft

Theatre

Bristol Old Vic

1.9 mi

Landmark

House of Faith

2200 ft

Church

House Of Faith Church

2200 ft

Landmark

The Hindu Temple

2200 ft

Landmark

Whitehall Tavern

2300 ft

Nearby

Church

Church Of St Ambrose

600 ft

Siri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara Bristol

600 ft

Saint Patrick's Catholic Church

600 ft

Bethel United Church

600 ft

Saint Marina Coptic Orthodox Church

600 ft

Bristol Movement Space

1600 ft

Restaurants

Bonnies

200 ft

168A Church Road

The Old Stillage

1400 ft

145-147 Church Road Redfield

Willesborough Tandoori

1600 ft

133 Church Road

Explore Bristol

Nearby Experiences

M Shed

40 minutes walking

Museum highlighting Bristol's social and industrial history. Offers free admission and views over the harbour.

Bristol Zoo Gardens

50 minutes walking

Historic zoo featuring diverse animal species. Perfect for families with beautiful gardens and conservation efforts.

Bristol Aquarium

35 minutes walking

Interactive aquarium showcasing marine life. Ideal for families and nature lovers with unique exhibits.

Brunel's SS Great Britain

45 minutes walking

Historic ship and museum, showcasing maritime history. Unique for its Victorian engineering and extensive artifacts.

Biking at Royate Hill Nature Reserve

5 minutes drive

Scenic biking trails through lush nature. Bike rentals available nearby for thrill-seekers.

Yoga at Portland Square

30 minutes walking

Relaxing outdoor yoga classes. Suitable for all levels with calming views of the square's gardens.

Bonnies

1 minute walking

Charming local eatery known for its hearty breakfasts and friendly atmosphere. Perfect for all dietary needs.

The Old Stillage

6 minutes walking

Cozy pub offering a range of local ales and traditional British fare. Outdoor seating available, reservations recommended.

Thekla

10 minutes drive

Live music venue on a converted ship. Offers diverse acts with a unique atmosphere, plus occasional themed nights.

Bristol Old Vic

10 minutes drive

Historic theater showcasing local and international productions. Family-friendly shows and special events available.

Getting around town

City Centre
Bristol 32 min · 1.6 mi
Airports
Bristol (BRS) 24 min · 9.9 mi
Gloucestershire (GLO) 96 min · 39.6 mi
Train
Lawrence Hill Train Station 11 min · 3000 ft
Lawrence Hill Railway Station 11 min · 3000 ft
Bus
Bus stop 26 min · 1.3 mi

Looking for early-bird discounts?

Get special discounted rates today!

Check Rates

Property information and rules

Check-in

from 16:00-22:00

Check-out

until 11 am

Internet

Wireless internet is available in the entire hotel for free.

Children & extra beds

There are no cots provided in a room. There are no extra beds provided in a room.

Pets

Pets are allowed on request.

Reviews and Ratings

What past guests shared about their stay

Review score

Based on 2 verified reviews

6.5 /10

Nice

50%

Recommend

Cleanliness

7.9/10

Comfort

8.0/10

Facilities

7.6/10

Free Wi-Fi

4.1/10

Location

8.3/10

Paid Wi-Fi

7.5/10

Staff

8.6/10

Value for money

8.0/10

Alex from United Kingdom

Family with children

Deluxe Double Room Shower

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: January 04, 2026

8/10

nice pub family party

the location was superb and the pub was nice. it also worked great as a venue for the family party we organized.

the bathroom radiator wasn't really dusted for some time, that's true.

0 Helpful

alexander from germany

Single

king room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: December 06, 2025

5/10

dirty radiator black mildew

the bathroom radiator clearly missed a few dust sessions. also, the shower tray looked like it dreamed of being a paddling pool but failed at drainage. black mildew in the shower made things less appealing.

0 Helpful

Show more reviews