The Dark Horse has a rustic feel with a twist - rooftop terrace, disco lounge, and 35ft event space available for gigs, private & public hire.

Famously good pub quiz, every OTHER Tuesday
(check our socials for dates).

Our fully stocked bar is backed with an extensive collection of traditional local farmhouse cider and a rotating line of local craft beer.

Our rooftop terrace is the hidden gem of Church Road - catch the last rays of sun with your pint, and spend Summer nights with your friends under the stars!

During the colder months, head inside to snuggle up on our big leather sofas next to a cosy log fire.

Dog-friendly (and next to St George’s park), friendly, knowledgeable staff, a fantastic pub quiz, a roaring open fire in the winter, free book exchange, baskets full of board games and cards, bashed up leather furniture. Bierkeller tables, a secret dancefloor with huge glitter ball available to hire, the list goes on…

announcements

That’s a wrap!

Thanks to all of our lovely customers who came in and gave it a try, our Spring kitchen pop-up is now done! We hope you all enjoyed the delicious food :)

For now customers are free to bring in takeaways to the pub once more (still not on the terrace though please!), and make sure to watch this space for news of the next one...

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EVENT SPACE

Surely you know by now that we have two event spaces available for hire?

Well you lucky ducks, we also cater for smaller meetings and gatherings in the Disco Lounge, just pop us an email with your requirements, as well as any potential dates that you’re looking at, and we’ll check availability for you:)

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GOOD TIMES, GREAT STUFF QUIZ!!

Join us every OTHER Tuesday night from 8pm for our fantastic pub quiz, (check our socials for updates on which Tuesday) and of course it’s still Free Entry! Expect a plethora of different rounds and questions each time, and remember that prizes may vary, but the glory of victory is boundless…

Arrive early to avoid disappointment, Join in to avoid FOMO. You have been warned. May the odds be ever in your favour!

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Follow us on instagram @TheDarkHorseBristol to stay up to date with what’s going on, and don’t forget to tag us in your pictures!

Event spaces

Here at The Dark Horse Bristol, we’re fortunate to have two event spaces that can be used for private hire or public events. Both spaces are offered on a ‘dry hire’ basis, so you’ll need to bring your own sound equipment! Luckily we can recommend suppliers who will rent you a PA system if you don’t happen to have 43 different friends who are DJs... (this is Bristol after all)

For more details on the rooms please see below, and if you have any questions or want to hire the space, please don’t hesitate to drop us an email and our Events Manager will get back to you :)

The Long Room

Our sound-proofed 35ft ‘Long Room’ sits at the back of The Dark Horse, and has a small platform stage at one end, with a dimmable stage light, and a standing-height table with space for your own DJ decks. There are a handful of long tables which you are welcome to set up with benches, or they can be collapsed and put against the wall, depending on your preferences. Ideal for birthday parties, live gigs, ticketed events, comedy nights and open mics to name a few, the maximum capacity is 65 people, depending on the furniture.
For all enquiries please use the contact form and start your message with ‘room hire’.

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The Disco Lounge

With one wall of archways open to the rest of the pub, the ‘Disco Lounge’ lends itself well to meetings, parties and get-togethers of up to 30 people. With two long, 6-8 seater tables with cinema seats on the outside and benches in the middle, one smaller 4 seater table, and a large corner sofa, it provides a dedicated area for you and your friends to enjoy your evening in comfort, with the pub tunes playing in the background. You’re welcome to bring your own birthday decorations or balloons (strictly no glitter or confetti though please), and we can even hide a birthday cake in the kitchen if you ask nicely!
For all enquiries please use the contact form and start your message with ‘room hire’.

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ACCOMMODATION

LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO STAY?

Look no further! We have three beautiful, self-contained rooms above The Dark Horse, on Bristol’s lively Church Road. These rooms have all been freshly decorated to a high standard, and are perfectly placed for a break in the city. A short bus ride or taxi from the centre, and right in the heart of Redfield. The beautiful St. George’s Park is also just a 2 minute walk away.

Each room has its own en-suite, and we have a side entrance for coming and going when the pub is closed. For bookings, availability and full details, please click below.

artist directory

You may have noticed that The Dark Horse is now playing host to some fantastic pieces by a number of different local artists. As an independent Bristol pub, we are dedicated to supporting and showcasing local artists by providing them a platform to display some examples of their brilliant work, and reach our customers directly.

On the walls of the pub you’ll be able to find a short list the names of the artists featured in each area, so that you can find and potentially purchase their work directly from them. On this page, you’ll see a gallery of thumbnails of all of the artwork currently up in the pub, which is grouped by artist, along with links to their website / social media pages.

Please note we do not represent the artists in any official capacity, so any questions regarding their individual works should be directed to them personally. We do not do any selling on behalf of any of the artists, and we also do not take a cut or commission from any sales generated through our website- we’re just happy to give them the publicity they deserve, and display some great artwork in the process!

We review the work we showcase regularly, and are always happy to hear from new artists who would like to be featured. If you would like to apply or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via our contact page, and our events manager Maisie will get back to you as soon as possible.

Accessibility Information

The Dark Horse, 172–174 Church Road, Bristol BS5 9HX

We want everyone to feel welcome at The Dark Horse Pub. Our building is an older, cosy pub with some access limitations, so we've put together the information below to help you plan your visit.

Getting in

• The entrance to the pub is on Church road, which is on a slight hill. Access from the street is through a small angular porch, with a 29-inch-wide doorway at its narrowest point.

• There are two small steps into the main bar, each under 3 inches high.

• The pub is not fully wheelchair accessible, and the entrance may be difficult for some larger wheelchairs or mobility aids. Most pushchairs and strollers seem to fit through the front door, though a double-buggy probably wouldn’t fit. If you’re unsure you may wish to measure your pushchair before bringing it with you.

• Once inside the main bar, there aren't any particularly narrow areas, although the pub is cosy rather than open-plan.

• Some tables and chairs can be moved to accommodate wheelchairs or mobility aids, where space allows.

• Our staff are happy to assist with doors, seating or other practical needs.

• We welcome customers with pushchairs (under 18s are welcome until 6pm in the event spaces, or 8pm in the main bar), though in busier periods you may struggle to get in with a pushchair or buggy if there isn’t much physical space in the main bar.

Different areas

• There are two steps from the main bar to the toilets.

• The toilets are unfortunately not accessible, and there are no baby-changing facilities. If you are visiting with a baby who needs their nappy changing, please ask at the bar for advice on the most appropriate place to do this (usually this will be a table in the Long Room, unless there is an event taking place).

• The pub has two sets of toilets for customers, one has three urinals and a single cubicle, the other has two cubicles. Both have a basin for hand-washing. For parents/carers taking a small child to the toilet, we recommend using the one without urinals, for the comfort of the child and other customers.

• The Long Room is accessed by three steps up from the main bar. The largest step is approximately 7.5 inches high, and the internal doorway is 29 inches wide.

• The Disco Lounge is accessed by three steps up from the main bar. There are two possible doorways: one is 3 feet wide and the other is 30 inches wide. Both have a 5-inch step up into the room.

• The downstairs outside/smoking area is accessed by two steps down from the main bar. The internal doorway to this area is 21 inches wide.

• There is no step-free access to the roof terrace or outside area.

Assistance dogs & other dogs

Assistance dogs are very welcome at The Dark Horse. Please be aware that we are also a dog-friendly pub, so there will normally be other dogs in the building. Also, because we are a dog-friendly pub, other well-meaning customers may try to approach your dog.

All dogs must be kept on leads at all times, though they are allowed on the sofas if they’re well behaved. There are also free dog treats in a jar just inside the main entrance.

Noise & atmosphere

The pub is cosy and doesn't generally have large, echoey spaces. Noise levels vary depending on the time of day: weekdays and earlier in the day tend to be quieter, while peak periods can be understandably busier and more lively. The pub has music playing in the main bar at all times, which will vary in genre and volume, according to the time of day/week, and how busy the bar is.

There is no music playing in the outside area or on the terrace, and during the week, The Disco Lounge tends to be a little quieter than the main bar. If you’re coming in for our 2-weekly Pub Quiz, it can be quite busy and loud at times, but again, the back rooms will be somewhat quieter than the main bar.

Lighting & sensory considerations

Our usual lighting is warm, ambient and atmospheric, with no flashing or very bright lights during normal service. The only exceptions to this may be during specific themed events like the Halloween or Christmas quiz, as part of the festive decorations.

Occasionally, external lighting such as flashing or strobe effects may be brought into the Long Room or Disco Lounge by customers hiring the space for private events. If any of this is a concern, please ask us about what's planned for a particular event.

Drinks & food information

We don't currently use a traditional printed menu as we don’t serve food. If you are partially sighted or need help accessing information about our drinks or snacks, our staff are more than happy to talk you through what's available, including dietary and allergen information. While our kitchen is closed, customers are permitted to bring in take-aways, provided they don’t make a mess! We also ask customers not to eat takeaways on the terrace as the food can attract unwanted wildlife.

If you have a particular accessibility requirement or are unsure whether the pub will be suitable for you, please get in touch with us before your visit. We're happy to discuss your needs and let you know what we can do to help. You can call the bar on 0117 9555 725, or email us at thedarkhorsebristol@gmail.com.

The Dark Horse

Address:

The Dark Horse
172-174 Church Rd,
Bristol
BS5 9HX

EMAIL:

thedarkhorsebristol@gmail.com

Contact Number: 

0117 9555 725 

Opening Hours:

Monday 4PM - 11PM

Tuesday 4PM - Midnight

Wednesday 4PM - Midnight

Thursday 4PM - Midnight

Friday 12.30PM - 2AM

Saturday 12.30PM - 2AM

Sunday 12.30PM - 11PM