Stoke Bishop bar guide: which one is the best?

So, farewell then Badger Bar. With the recent news that Durdham’s loss-making bar will only open on special occasions, we decided to go along to the other Stoke Bishop halls and find a suitable alternative for all those Durdham drinkers in need of somewhere to go and socialise.

(Just kidding, we know nobody from Durdham socialises, but hey, why turn down an opportunity for a Stoke Bishop bar crawl eh?)

Badock

Not bad for a Tuesday night

Hall drink: The Badock Bomber

Best for: Atmosphere

Whereas Durdham closed due to a lack of service, no such problem appears to exist for the roaring hub of Badock. Citing a lack of alternative space for pre-drinking, customers ensure the bar does a thriving trade in beer and crisps. Currently covered in Six Nations flags, the bar particularly excels in televising sports games.

University

If you ask nicely, they’ll let you use the chalk

Hall drink: The Poverty Punch

Best for: Board Games

With its informal atmosphere, “cheap but delicious” drinks and a myriad of board games, the UH bar lives up to its hall reputation. Customers can draw on one of the chalkboards or sip their pints on outside benches, contemplating the Sainsburys basics t-shirts that are on display. Has seen its fair share of memorable nights including one occasion last year when a rugby team stripped on the pool table.

Churchill

Preach it Winston

Hall drink: The Churchill Nuke

Best for: Music

According to their website this hall is “renowned for its lively atmosphere” and the bar lives up to expectations. Good service and fair prices ensure the bar has a decent crowd, some of whom occasionally participate in a game of “crossing the bar without touching the floor”. Look out for the Churchill quotes on the walls and the occasional drunken freshers propositioning one of the bar staff.

Wills

Hall drink: The Raeza

Best for: Décor

“The Wills on the bus go rah, rah, rah”- or so the chant goes. As befits their image as “the posh hall” Wills’ bar is appropriately decorated with plush leather sofas, oak panelling and lists of JCR Presidents. While the bartenders are amiable, the bar lacks atmosphere: in the words of one regular “it’s like a bloody graveyard most nights”. On Friday nights however the place comes alive with scores of gown-wearing students packing it out after formal.

Hiatt Baker

The walls are brighter than the lights

Hall drink: Agent Orange

Best for: Service

Bristol’s largest hall of residence boasts a newly refurbished bar. Unfortunately, the decorators took the colour of the hall drink as their theme. The result is a bold orange colour scheme with booth seating more appropriate for an American diner. Behind the light-up bar however, the staff endear themselves by giving away free chocolate to anyone celebrating their birthday.

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