Few Bristol pubs have a history as rich as The Llandoger Trow. It’s not quite Bristol’s oldest pub, but located at the heart of King Street, it does date back to 1664. You might think, then, that some pretty famous faces have popped in for a drink in all those years—and you’d be right! Most notably, the face of Bristol’s pirating past, Blackbeard, was said to be a regular.
But that’s not all. Rumour has it that two of the nation’s greatest adventure novels were inspired by the pub. The author Robert Louis Stevenson based the Admiral Benbow Inn of ‘Treasure Island’ on The Llandoger Trow, while Daniel Defoe met the Scottish privateer Alexander Selkirk here, who served as the inspiration for Defoe’s most famous character, Robinson Crusoe.
Oh, and did we mention that the pub is also haunted? Supposedly, there are up to 15 ghosts wandering the Grade II Listed Building. The most famous is a small boy with a metal leg support who walks on the top floor. His footsteps have been heard by numerous staff over the years, while the other ghosts have been involved in many other paranormal activities.
Closing in 2019, after centuries of serving pints to the public, it thankfully reopened in 2021, and kept much of what made it special. The historic building’s timber-framing still stands out on Kings Street’s busy pub strip—from The Old Duke jazz pub to the underground Beer Emporium—and apart from the odd modern detail, it still feels like an olde pub of yore.
It’s still a top spot to grab a pint nowadays. With 28 kegs and five fresh casks, as well as ciders, on offer most days, there are plenty of options. From local craft beers to European pilsners and perry cider. Perfect for any type of beer drinker. And, since reopening, The Llandoger Trow has also become widely known for its Red Room…
No, we’re not talking about more ghosts. This is the location for Techno at the Trow, the German techno night hosted at the pub every Friday and Saturday night—bringing in some of the very best of Bristol talent. It’s free entry to all and a surprising discovery in this once privateer pub. What the clientele of the past would think of it? We can’t say, but we know it’s a ruddy great night!
📍 You can find The Llandoger Trow at King St, Bristol BS1 4ER
🌐 To learn more about The Llandoger Trow head here.