
Grain Barge
A historic converted barge in Bristol Harbour, offering local craft beers, hearty food, and stunning waterfront views.

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Grain Barge

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A historic converted barge in Bristol Harbour, offering local craft beers, hearty food, and stunning waterfront views.
"Dine on the water with fantastic views, great beer, and delicious food – a truly unique Bristol experience."
Check Kitchen Hours
Kitchen may be closed weekdays between 3-6pm. Check hours before visiting.
Book for Special Occasions
Consider downstairs for exceptional service from Manager James for special events.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Pub
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Unique Dining Experience on a Converted Barge
Dine on a historic barge in Bristol Harbour, offering picturesque views and a unique atmosphere.

Award-Winning Local Beers and Ciders
Enjoy a fantastic selection of reasonably priced local craft beers and ciders from award-winning breweries.

Delicious and Hearty Gastro-Pub Fare
Savor classic dishes like mussels, chowder, and fish & chips, with fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Check Kitchen Hours
Kitchen may be closed weekdays between 3-6pm. Check hours before visiting.
Book for Special Occasions
Consider downstairs for exceptional service from Manager James for special events.
Dog-Friendly Venue
Bring your furry friends along, as pets are warmly welcomed onboard the barge.
Summer Top Deck Experience
Visit during summer to enjoy unforgettable experiences on the top deck with panoramic views.
Tips
from all over the internet
Check Kitchen Hours
Kitchen may be closed weekdays between 3-6pm. Check hours before visiting.
Book for Special Occasions
Consider downstairs for exceptional service from Manager James for special events.
Dog-Friendly Venue
Bring your furry friends along, as pets are warmly welcomed onboard the barge.
Summer Top Deck Experience
Visit during summer to enjoy unforgettable experiences on the top deck with panoramic views.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Grain Barge is praised for its unique waterside location and vibrant atmosphere, making it a popular spot for both casual drinks and celebrations. Diners rave about the excellent selection of local beers and ciders, as well as the hearty and delicious food, particularly the mussels and Sunday roast. While generally positive, some guests have noted that the bathrooms could be cleaner and the downstairs area can feel cramped.
"Food was really good. Service was friendly. There is a good selection of local beers. The location is very good and there is seating that have really great views of the river."
Dann T (Ferrgle)
"Must admit was slightly nervous when arriving at the Grain Barge for a group lunch, but once on board was blown away by the food and the staff. Mussels were some the best we have had in the UK, chowder was great as well, and the staff were outstanding. A great relaxed atmosphere, wonderfull views up and down the harbour. Would fully recommend, and we could bring our dog along!"
Andriod Smitt
"Great place to hangout with friends. Food is good enough compared to the price. Service is good too. The bathroom could be cleaner and also a bit too cramped to go downstairs. Could be cleaner in general."
Vaishnudebi Dutta
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
It's a converted historic barge moored in Bristol Harbour, offering a unique dining experience with picturesque water views.
The Grain Barge offers a wide selection of local craft beers from Bristol Beer Factory, as well as ciders and other beverages.
Yes, dogs are welcome onboard, making it a great spot to bring your pet along.
Popular dishes include mussels, chowder, fish & chips, and the Sunday roast. They also focus on seasonal produce.
During summer months for the top deck experience, or consider booking downstairs for special occasions.
Yes, the Grain Barge can be hired for private events, and they offer great food and drinks packages.
Check kitchen hours carefully, as they may be closed on weekdays between 3-6pm.
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Top 10 craft beer pubs in Bristol | Travel
Moored in the historic and picturesque Bristol Harbour, the Grain Barge is a lively converted barge, once used to transport wheat across the Severn river. Exceptionally popular in the summer months and owned and supplied by the award-winning Bristol Beer Factory brewery, the Grain Barge serves an impressive variety of reasonably priced, local craft beers as well as a selection from Devon and Cornwall (enjoy the Beer Factory's own Sunrise golden ale at £3.20 a pint), not to mention a healthy dose of the staple Somerset cider. With panoramic views stretching from the nearby SS Great Britain right down to Ashton Court, there aren't many better locations for a well-deserved drink than the top deck of this vessel.
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During the summer months, there are few better places to sit and while away a few hours than on the top deck of The Grain Barge, Bristol Beer Factory’s most distinctive venue. As its name suggests, the converted barge has been in position beside Mardyke Wharf in Hotwells since 2007, and offers genuinely unique views of Bristol Harbour. Been there, done that?
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Not far from the SS Great Britain, The Grain Barge is Bristol Beer Factory’s flagship vessel. There’s a certain something about having a drink on the water when the sun’s out, and this is the place to embrace Bristol’s nautical heritage. You’ll find a vast array of local beers on tap, perfect to enjoy on deck.
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Occupying a prominent position at one end of Bristol's foremost beer drinking street, the King Street Brewhouse offers up to six cask ales brewed on the premises alongside a wide range of craft keg beers. Eclectic furniture and decor breaks up the single large space into a number of separate areas, with dark wood flooring and green glazed walls. Two TV screens show major sporting fixtures, and the basement tank room adjacent to the brewing equipment is also used as extra accommodation while sport is being shown, as well as a grain store and an unusual function room.
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Built in 1936 by the Charles Hill shipyard, the barge is now moored in Hotwells, opposite its original berth and near to Brunel’s SS Great Britain. It was bought and refitted in 2007 and is now a firm favourite for many, serving a selection of real ales and top notch food and hosting live events including music and comedy. But one of the main reasons it is hugely popular all-year round is the view it offers, with Brunel's famous ship just a stone's throw away, the colourful houses of Hotwells behind and various nautical activities to observe below.
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This 1930s Grain Barge spent its early life carrying barley and wheat across the Severn Estuary between Bristol and Cardiff. The historic vessel now resides in Hotwells, opposite Brunel’s SS Great Britain, and is one of the longest-standing restaurants on Bristol’s waterfront. Managed by Bristol Beer Factory, it offers a wide selection of craft beers, local ciders, and wines alongside sustainable seafood, mains, small plates, and Sunday roasts made with seasonal produce sourced from their Five Acre Farm in Backwell.
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Set afloat on the Bristol Harbour, Grain Barge is more than just a bar - it's a floating social hub where good food, local drinks, and indie spirit come together. Whether you're soaking up sunshine on the deck, catching live music below deck, or tucking into moules frites with a harbour view, the bar brings that unbeatable mix of casual charm and culinary flair. Bonus points: they're dog-friendly and big on supporting local makers, so you can sip and snack with a clear conscience.
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This harbourside beer garden restaurant couldn’t be any closer to the harbour; treat yourself to a pint on this moored boat in the Bristol harbour and bask in the sun by the water. The Grain Barge was once a transport barge, travelling between Bristol and Cardiff, carrying wheat and barley along the Seven Estuary. This brilliant now social hub was built in 1936 by the Charles Hill Shipyard before it was anchored up in Hotwells, by the Bristol harbour.
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A true hidden gem that allows visitors to soak up the atmosphere of the harbour whilst dining out on some of the most nourishing comfort food in the city. The Grain Barge openly celebrates seasonal produce and bold British flavour, with a rolling cast of daily specials and a truly unique vibe that sets it apart from the other harbourside 'boat restaurants'. The barge itself boasts a stunning deck area that's always popular in the summer months.
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Docked in pretty Hotwells, with harbour views that reach down to Cumberland Basin and across to Brunel’s SS Great Britain, the Grain Barge is a good example of Bristol’s beer-on-a-boat experience. The local ale comes from the Bristol Beer Factory just across the river and the food is hearty, gastro-pub style using organic and fair trade ingredients. Watch ferries, kayakers and stand up paddle-boarders glide past as you sup a pint on the deck.
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About: Bursting with character, this historic converted barge makes for a great place to soak up the harbourside, with stunning panoramic views of Bristol. Food: Grain Barge is a favourite with tourists and locals alike, serving up hearty gastro-pub staples like pies, steaks and sandwiches alongside a vibrant, wine and ale menu. TGtB Says: Grain Barge showcases the very best British food and drink in relaxed and welcoming surroundings.
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Bask in the sunshine on the top deck of a converted 1930s barge while admiring Brunel’s SS Great Britainjust across the water. Run by Bristol Beer Factory, you can expect flavoursome craft beers, heavenly pies, lagers and ciders from some of the UK’s best independent breweries and lots of local produce. Boats busy themselves in the Floating Harbour, while you soak up rays and harbour views from The Grain Barge's top terrace.
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Passengers for this elevated booze cruise meet outside the Grain Barge, one of Bristol’s many boats-turned-bars. Their vessel for the day is the HMS Hops (also known as the Bristol Ferry), which chugs along the Harbourside — the crew offering tastings in transit — before pulling up at an actual producer, Moor Brewery. Here, there’s a tour and more tastings in the tap room before a returning on foot to King Street.
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Bask in the sunshine on the top deck of a converted 1930s barge while admiring Brunel’s SS Great Britainjust across the water. Run by Bristol Beer Factory, you can expect flavoursome craft beers, heavenly pies, lagers and ciders from some of the UK’s best independent breweries and lots of local produce. Boats busy themselves in the Floating Harbour, while you soak up rays and Harbour views.
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The Grain Barge is a well-known canine-friendly restaurant and bar that is housed on a renovated barge that is moored in Bristol's Floating Harbour. Dogs are allowed anywhere in the establishment, including the inside lounge and the outdoor terrace, where you can enjoy breathtaking harbour views. Pub favourites, salads, burgers, and sharing platters are among the selections on the menu.
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Grain Barge allows you to bask in the summer sunshine whilst admiring Brunel’s SS Great Britain. Perhaps the finest achievement of Bristol’s favourite sun, this is surely the ultimate way to drink in the city especially when the weather is good. Run by the Bristol Beer Factory, this pub is one of the best and should be visited at least once during your time studying in the south west.
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A unique and dog-friendly venue, The Grain Barge is a floating pub and restaurant moored in the Bristol Harbour. Enjoy stunning views of the Clifton Suspension Bridge and the harbour while sipping on a refreshing drink or indulging in a delicious meal from their diverse menu. Dogs are welcome on the lower deck and the friendly staff will provide water bowls and treats for your pooch.
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What could be more idyllic than having your evening meal on a boat looking out to Bristol’s harbourside?. Grain Barge offers just that and allows its patrons to experience what it would be like to have a meal while floating on the river. The venue stocks a superb selection of craft beers, which pair perfectly with one of their small plates such as their hummus and flatbread combo.
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What: A trip to the Grain Barge is worth it for the views alone - you can see down the river on one side, and the masts of the SS Great Britain on the other. That said, they do a cracking (and very popular Sunday roast) as well as some classic pub grub and a wide selection of draught beers.Where: Mardyke Wharf, Hotwell Road, Hotwells, Bristol, BS8 4RUBook now: Grain Barge
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Moored in Bristol Harbour, this popular converted barge is now supplied by the award winning Bristol Beer Factory with a great selection of local craft beers, wine and cider, to be drunk alongside good quality food with locally sourced ingredients. Enjoy a drink on top of the barge with panoramic views from the nearby SS Great Britain all the way down to Ashton Court.
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Yes, technically it’s not a “garden” — but the Grain Barge’s upper deck might just be one of the best places to sink a pint in the sun. Moored permanently on the harbour, this converted barge is home to Bristol Beer Factory brews and a cracking view back towards the city. Great for lazy weekends — grab a pale ale, sit on the deck, and watch paddle boarders float by.
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Moored in a beautiful location in Hotwells, the Grain Barge is bursting with character. Within sight of Brunel’s SS Great Britain, it’s three decks offer great views over the harbor, making it the perfect place to relax and watch the world go by. The historic converted barge has established itself as one of Bristol’s friendliest, eating and drinking experiences.
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If you’re exploring the Harbourside area, stop on for a drink or bite with a view at Harbour House, No.1 Harbourside, The Grain Barge or Mud Dock, which all boast waterside terraces where you can watch boats, paddleboarders and kayakers go by. Nearby Wapping Wharf is home to several acclaimed restaurants, including Lapin, Root, Box-E and Seven Lucky Gods.
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Another Bristol institution – where would this city be without its brilliant bars on boats?. I’ve been to many a gig here and spent hours supping cider on the top deck waving at paddleboarders. It’s owned by Bristol Beer Factory, so expect a top notch selection of beers alongside a classic pubby menu including as burgers and pies.www.grainbarge.com
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Experience life on the River Avon from the comfort of a table on the moored barge. At this bar, you can watch paddle boarders, kayakers, boat trippers, and ferries sail past you as you look out to Bristol’s floating harbour and the historic SS Great Britain. Being on the deck of a boat makes for a memorable drinking experience in its own right.
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We were lucky to get in a big boozing session at the Lansdown then Galli just prior to the lockdown so it will be a city centre proper pub day… Here is what I’m picturing: quick pint at the Tap Room, sun will be shining so cycle over to the Barge for a bit of deck time then cycle on to the Christmas Steps and not leave till the early hours.
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All aboard the Grain Barge, a floating pub on the River Avon. I’m a sucker for gimmicks, so we’re kicking things off with a tour of novelty pubs. Fitting, as this is a city that prides itself on its eccentricity: Banksy, Wallace and Gromit, former Top Gear presenter, James May – all stone cold weirdos who were born and raised in Bristol.
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Converted from an engineless transport barge and moored in Hotwells, Grain Barge is now a relaxed and friendly bar serving fresh, locally sourced food and a range of local craft beers. Head to the top deck for a stunning panoramic view of the harbour or the side of the barge for a quiet, water-level drink.
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RT@pdgphotos: The Grain Barge at night#Bristol#photography#grainbargepic.twitter.com/ilGEoD8umV. — Mirsini Koumpa (@MirsiniK) February 5, 2015. Keeping with the boat theme, this converted barge in the wonderful Howells has a superb atmosphere, decent food (try a pie!) and brilliant views of Bristol.
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Enjoy stunning sunset views with a lively atmosphere and a great selection of drinks that keep the good vibes flowing. My experience on the Grainbarge was so, all encompassing, I didn’t have time whilst there, to realise just what a magnificent time I was enabled to have. Happily I wandered off.
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Sticking with the nautical theme, The Grain Barge is another converted boat, with an interesting mix of food, beer and, on a Friday night, live music. With two bars, and a panoramic harbour view from the upper deck, it's a great place for a night out. http://www.grainbarge.co.uk/
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Grain Barge has an upper deck with stunning panoramic views of the harbour. It serves delicious, honest, and seasonal food with a focus on veg and seafood. Grain Barge just had to be included in this guide as it boasts an upper deck with stunning, panoramic views of the harbour.
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As independent as it gets in Bristol, The Grain Barge is literally that: a barge you can eat great food at. Whether it’s sitting on the roof of the boat, overlooking the harbour, or cosying up inside over a Sunday roast, this eatery is Bristol in a nutshell: quirky and fun.
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A pub on a boat with views over the water and across to the SS Great Britain. A long-time favourite of ours with a range of Bristol Beer Factory beers on cask and keg, and in bottles, plus guests. Lots of eating goes on but isn’t compulsory.
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British Restaurants Real Ale PubsHarbour-side Bars Nightlife. Situated on the opposite side of the floating harbour to ss Great Britain, this is a great venue for sampling real ale. A changing specials menu is available plus sandwic...
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Grain Barge is a bar, pub, and restaurant wedding venue located in the heart of Bristol City. When it was built in 1936,... Read more this space was an engineless transport barge carrying barley and wheat from Bristol to Cardiff.
The best rooftop bars in Bristol for incredible views…
Just a little further down the road and we come to the Grain Barge, a historic converted barge. This central spot is known for its stunning views over the water. Check it out on a Wednesday when they host an open mic night.
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Sit back and imagine you’re digging into a tasty dish filled with seasonal food on the harbour with your four-legged friend in a dog-friendly restaurant. Now imagine it’s on a boat, and there you have the Grain Barge.
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Great pub on a boat, moored in Bristol's harbourside opposite the SS Great Britain. Dogs very welcome on the top deck only, on the lead. Well known for their amazing food, which is served on the top deck if required.
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If you fancy some fresh air and a view of the harbour, this boat-turned-bar is for you. Pulling a long work day?. Stick about for some music, a quiz or an intriguing science talk.
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Boasting some of the best views in the city, The Grain Barge floats on the harbourside and provides a perfect bustling atmosphere with sunshine and good drinks.
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Docked opposite the marina, this 1930s transport boat has transformed itself into one of the coolest places to booze with the boys in the whole city.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit