At Séamus O'donnell's we only have one law, SOD's Law! - you can't take it with you so you may as well drink it now.
Fifteen years ago, you couldn’t move for Irish-themed pubs in Bristol or, come to think of it, any other city. It was a short-lived novelty and many of the pubs have reverted back to their original state (or been transformed into another sort of theme bar), but Seamus O’Donnell’s was one of Bristol’s first and it has survived a decade- and-a-half of fads and fashions.
We continue to retain our Irish theme. A small, one-room bar with a red ceiling, dark wood tables and dark green stools, the walls are plastered with gold advertising mirrors and Irish street signs. Shelves are lined with old whiskey bottles, jugs, flagons, board games and even an old fiddle. Seamus O’Donnell’s is reassuringly and unashamedly old-fashioned, a place for people who appreciate and enjoy their drink and conversation, rather than go out purely to be seen or shout to be heard over loud music.
Needless to say, Guinness is our biggest sellers, and there are two pumps each for the original and “cold” varieties - even the Irish who visit tell us that it's taste is the closest anywhere to that of home. Apart from the black stuff, we stock a variety of Irish Whiskies and, for those with an even stronger constitution, Irish Moonshine 'Poteen' – the 70 percent ABV triple distilled spirit – which is so strong that it is limited to one shot per customer - you can't get this in any other bar in Bristol! Traditionally made from either potatoes or grain, the production of Poteen was outlawed in 1661, and remained illegal until the late 1990s.
A popular watering hole for office workers and St Nicholas Market shoppers at lunchtime and then a younger crowd in the evening, Seamus O’donnells is a refreshing reminder of what a pub should be, if you are new to the area or a regular visitor, you will always get céad míle fáilte (a hundred thousand welcomes).
See you soon, Chris and Paul (the Landlords).
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Very good entertainment and friendly staff ! Very clean toilets for a pub too
LGBTQ+ venue. Live Drag Acts on Fridays and Saturdays. Good selection of Alcohol, reasonably priced. Always worth a visit if you are in the vicinity.
Stopped here for drinks in the evening. Quite a small pub inside but more seating available outside. I'd imagine the place getting packed full on an event evening which they seem to have plenty advertised. The barman was friendly and the drinks were good. Would pop in again if in the area.
What an absolutely amazing night. No better Irish bar that I've been to. Jam Tart, Demeanor McCall, Chris on the decks and a whole amazing team of staff and management. If you want to be entertained and looked after then a visit to Seamus O'Donnells is an absolute must. Get yourselves in for a pint of the black stuff along with a side serving or sass, class and amazing service. ☘️🍀☘️🍀
It is one hidden gem in Bristol. I loved the place, the draft beers, the ambient, and the people's attention. You can order in the app directly, pay, and receive discounts on the bill. Then you just have to go for your drinks at the bar. The LGTB+ deco and live music are pluses.
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Opening Times
| Mon | 12:00 – 23:00 |
| Tue | 12:00 – 23:00 |
| Wed | 12:00 – 23:00 |
| Thur | 12:00 – 23:00 |
| Fri | 12:00 – 01:00 |
| Sat | 12:00 – 01:00 |
| Sun | 12:00 – 23:00 |
Sorry, we don't have any menus listed at the moment.
Bristol, Avon, BS1