Volunteer Tavern
9, Bristol BS2 9DX
$
English
Reservations
Business Info
- Address: 9, Bristol BS2 9DX
- Cross Street: New Street
- Cuisine: English | Fusion | Mediterranean | Vegan | Vegetarian |
- Cost: | Very Inexpensive
- Category: Brewery Restaurant
- Star Rating:
- Reservations: Recommended
- Dress Code: Casual
- Meals Served: Lunch | Dinner | Other |
- Parking: Street | Public Lot |
- Payment Options: VISA | MasterCard | Apple Pay | Google Pay | Debit |
- Corkage Fee: N/A
- Website: volunteertavern.co.uk
- Phone: 01179558498
- Features: Outdoor Seating, Lounge / Bar, Free Wi-Fi,
- Occasion: Child Friendly, Dining Alone, Business Dining, Meet for a Drink, Special Occasion, Vegetarian, Dog Friendly, Quick Bite, Trendy / Hip, Date Night,
Photos
Business Hours
Reservations Available
- Monday
- Inside Pub (No food currently on Mondays) 16:00 - 23:00
- Pub Garden (Quiz from 7pm) 16:00 - 23:00
- Sunny Street Terrace (Not Covered) 16:00 - 23:00
- Tuesday
- Inside Pub (No food currently on Tuesdays) 16:00 - 23:00
- Pub Garden (Nintendo Games tournament from 7pm!) 16:00 - 23:00
- Sunny Street Terrace (Not Covered) 16:00 - 23:00
- Wednesday
- Inside Pub 16:00 - 23:00
- Pub Garden 16:00 - 23:00
- Sunny Street Terrace (Not Covered) 16:00 - 23:00
- Thursday
- Inside Pub 16:00 - 23:00
- Pub Garden 16:00 - 23:00
- Sunny Street Terrace (Not Covered) 16:00 - 23:00
- Friday
- Inside Pub 12:00 - 0:00
- Pub Garden 12:00 - 0:00
- Sunny Street Terrace (Not Covered) 16:00 - 0:00
- Saturday
- Inside Pub 12:00 - 0:00
- Pub Garden 12:00 - 0:00
- Sunny Street Terrace (Not Covered) 12:00 - 0:00
- Sunday
Customer Reviews & Ratings
4.34 out of 5 stars based on 595 votes
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 27, 2021
Genette E.
We had a lovely afternoon here. It was so nice to be able to go out for dinner again. The burgers looked a little underwhelming when it was first brought out but we needn't have worried as they were actually really good and tasty! Good beer, good food and exceptional, friendly staff. We will be back!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 11, 2022
Ana luna D.
Had a wonderful time and really enjoyed the food.
Thanks to all of the staff.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 06, 2021
Andy B.
Great place , very friendly, lush food , (vegan and I’m not a vegan)and very reasonable. Lived in Bristol all my life and never knew it was there. Will be back!
Business Response:
Cheers Andy! Really glad you found (and most importantly enjoyed) us! Looking forward to seeing you again :) x- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 14, 2021
Becka W.
SO good to be back, you gorgeous people! Thanks for having us xx
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 08, 2022
Lucy S.
I love the Volunteer Tavern. Such a friendly, relaxed pub which is never too busy and does really great roasts which are very good value for money.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 18, 2023
Anand M.
AMAYZING!! Best bar staff and best vibe ever! X
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 21, 2021
Etain O.
Friendly staff, felt safe and secure. Easy to order on the app!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 11, 2024
Lucy S.
We had a lovely time and the food was so yummy... Definitely will be recommending to friends and be coming back again.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 06, 2021
Jim S.
Great service, great food, great surroundings. 10/10
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 28, 2023
Ryan W.
Roast was really good! £12 as well, which is great value for money. Would definitely return! My only minor criticism is to get some condiments to accompany the roast dinner, like horseradish etc.
- Overall: 5/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 7/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
May 14, 2021
Mel F.
Wasn’t too obvious I had booked a table without any shelter
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 08, 2023
Ewelina M.
Amazing atmosphere, delicious food
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 9/10
May 27, 2021
Ryan M.
Best roast dinner in Bristol
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 02, 2021
Nicky W.
Everyone who works there is HOT.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 20, 2021
elizabeth h.
Great as always
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 8/10
Nov 29, 2021
Trine J.
Great Sunday lunch! Will definitely be back for a drink and grub during the week
Business Response:
Sounds great Trine! Glad you enjoyed and looking forward to seeing you again :)- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jun 19, 2023
Danielle T.
Great atmosphere, loved the art throughout the place and kind staff and then had a new chef, did amazing job, the roast dinner was lush!! Definitely would come back again
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 08, 2022
Ceri S.
Fabulous veggie roast in a cosy friendly pub
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 08, 2021
caleb d.
amazing atmosphere, lovely staff, great drinks and awesome food. 100% recommend. also there were lots of dogs
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 06, 2021
Eloise H.
Totally amazing vegan roast that was highly appreciated by me, my mum and my boyf.
I would prefer it if you didn't have to download an app to order.
I know you are working under guidelines etc now, and that things are annoying and clunky, but in other establishments there's no need to download anything, except maybe just a menu which I think is OK. Downloading apps is annoying.
Thanks :-)
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 0/10
Jun 05, 2023
mary k.
The food was tasty, huge portions and at an amazing value. Would come back again just for the roast, however, we were surprised with the amount of people coming in begging for money. In just over two hours, we had 5 different people. Not too sure if the staff could intervene in those situations? One bloke would not leave a few tables alone. Made a few us very uncomfortable.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 02, 2023
Andy R.
Staff are nice, beers good, roast is wonderful. The beef is superb
- Overall: 1/10
- Food: 1/10
- Service: 1/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 17, 2024
Teo N.
Our tables were given away regardless we had a booking
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 6/10
- Service: 5/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 6/10
Feb 01, 2022
Louis J.
One bartender was impatient and pretty blunt when serving me, despite no other customers waiting. Overall though, decent standard of service and roast, good range of beers, great atmosphere and very friendly kitchen team.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jun 23, 2021
Pam W.
Lovely place. Great Vegan food. Very relaxed and they welcome dogs! Perfect.
- Overall: 1/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 0/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 29, 2025
Lucy F.
We weren't told they was going to be djs and a club night in the garden which is where our table was. It was so loud we had to leave
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 14, 2021
Karen T.
I think this was the best veggie roast I’ve ever had! Absolutely delicious. Loads of choice for veggies, vegans and meat eaters. The service was great too. Will definitely be back!
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 22, 2022
Nigel S.
Great pub, great staff, great beer great lunch
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 06, 2022
Sarah B.
Such a lovely roast! Perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon!
- Overall: 3/10
- Food: 2/10
- Service: 4/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 1/10
Jun 25, 2021
Samantha H.
We booked for a roast and really regretted it. We were charged £12 for a beef roast - the beef was quite clearly sandwich type meat - it didn’t look or taste like it had been cooked from a joint on that day, the roast potatoes I guess were deep fried, lumpy swede, chemically tasting gravy (my brother thought it was a cheap powder type) - even the soft drinks tasted just like syrup. The garden was a nice setting and that was about it, we won’t be returning for food I’m afraid as the roast was really terrible considering what you can get in Bristol for the same price
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 02, 2021
Sally H.
Excellent food and drink. Lovely atmosphere.
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 9/10
Sep 21, 2022
Pascal Y.
Good vibe and great Staff
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 7/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
May 08, 2021
nathalie v.
Fabulous and friendly place.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jun 15, 2022
Mia F.
Great place, glad they pay staff a living wage
- Overall: 2/10
- Food: 0/10
- Service: 0/10
- Ambience: 6/10
- Value: 6/10
Nov 15, 2021
Jeremy P.
Ignored the fact that we had made a booking & made no attempt to find our table for us.
Business Response:
Hey Jeremy, I'm really sorry to hear that your reservation wasn't sorted? Can you let me know the details of what happened and I'll try and get to the bottom of it and fix this! Thanks, Amy- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
May 12, 2021
Harriet L.
Loved the ambience, service (happy staff make such a difference), atmosphere, heaters were amazing!!! Only thing is I’d love if there were some cocktail choices on the menu. Thanks again I’ll be back soon!
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 1/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 9/10
Mar 01, 2023
Idris V.
Quite disappointed, we had booked as we wanted to get food, but when we arrived we were told the kitchen was closed for another 2 weeks. We had a couple of drinks and left. Atmosphere in there was overall really good and I could see myself going for drinks there just gutted we couldn’t try the food menus were still on the walls as well.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 7/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 13, 2021
Kern F.
The vibe was pure and magical. Well done to all
- Overall: 5/10
- Food: 1/10
- Service: 5/10
- Ambience: 5/10
- Value: 1/10
Apr 26, 2022
Claudia R.
Two of us found hair in our food and parts of our food were quite burnt. They politely refunded us however, the service wasn’t very warm or friendly and it took a long time to be seated.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 03, 2021
Tom P.
Stunning roast!
Business Response:
Cheers Tom! We're very proud of our pop up Soy Ahoy!- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 6/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 9/10
Dec 14, 2021
Rachael B.
Brilliant venue for a covid secure meet up. Outdoor cosy snugs with heaters but in open air and weatherproof. lots of great beers. Happy hour. What's not to love! Only missing guinness!!!
Business Response:
Thank Rachael!! We're proud of our set up so am chuffed you enjoyed it so much! Hope to see you soon, and our team is also disappointed about not having Guinness, but we hope to make up for it with what else we have to offer :)- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 07, 2022
Alan T.
My favorite pub in Bristol. The best staff in the world!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 17, 2021
Deborah B.
Well organised from the outset. Butlr app worked well for ordering and not too long a wait. Didn’t have good but the burgers looked good. Really nice evening
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jan 08, 2022
Anna P.
The food service was a bit slow, given we had booked our tables so were expected.
- Overall: 4/10
- Food: 2/10
- Service: 4/10
- Ambience: 5/10
- Value: 2/10
Aug 18, 2021
Maxine P.
The food was overpowered by herbs, couldn't enjoy, potatoes overdone and hard on the bottom, veg poor, very dissapointed with the meal as when we ate at your premises afterthe first lockdown, the sunday roast was lovely.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 8/10
Feb 18, 2023
Gary U.
Friendly pub, great service, excellent food
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jan 30, 2023
lee f.
Really tasty roast dinner and great value for money. Loved that there was a choice of veggie and vegan options
- Overall: 0/10
- Food: 0/10
- Service: 0/10
- Ambience: 5/10
- Value: 5/10
Jul 30, 2024
Charlotte E.
Completely messed up my booking for the Sunday lunch by ringing me 2 hrs before the booking, which I had made weeks before, to say they weren’t doing Sunday lunch and would the burgers and chips be OK? Er, absolutely not. Hadn’t I noticed that they’d updated their website?? No, I don’t go around checking all the websites of venues I have booked just to check whether they’re no longer providing the service they have advertised! Such a shame, as the venue itself is lovely.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 22, 2024
Karen P.
Lovely fois
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 26, 2022
Sophie H.
great atmosphere, friendly staff. good beer, good food.
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 07, 2021
Yvette W.
The only downer was the woman behind the bar who was a little rude. The other bar staff were lovely and the food was great!
Business Response:
I'm sorry to hear this Yvette, could you tell us a bit more about it and we'll do our best to make your next visit better! Glad everything else went well :)- Overall: 5/10
- Food: 4/10
- Service: 5/10
- Ambience: 6/10
- Value: 6/10
Mar 22, 2023
Helen R.
Hi I think it was generally tasty, but it was cold and the carrots not cooked! It was also swimming with gravy the plate was put down and it slopped over my trousers.
- Overall: 6/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 3/10
- Ambience: 6/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 27, 2021
Shannon G.
Girl with pink hair sneezed in my drink and didn’t remake it. Said that she preferred cash because it was less work for her to do at the end of the night. Bad attitude. Excellent food though, couldn’t recommend the vegan roast more!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 29, 2022
Chris D.
excellent lunch thank you
- Overall: 5/10
- Food: 0/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 6/10
- Value: 5/10
Mar 01, 2023
Jason H.
The kitchen is closed for 2+ weeks. We made a reservation and no one informed us that there would be no food at our table, just drinks and crisps, even though you have my details. Despite this you are still accepting reservations now.
(It’s a good pub run by nice people. We were having a reunion and we’re sorry not to try tasty looking menu. We went hungry instead. You can eat a takeaway there if you want but there wasn’t time for us)
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 15, 2022
Julie D.
Excellent x
- Overall: 5/10
- Food: 5/10
- Service: 5/10
- Ambience: 3/10
- Value: 5/10
Jun 29, 2022
Lucy H.
So unfortunately have to give middle scores for everything because we weren't able to stay and enjoy our booking. We booked for an outside table for food. There was some kind of party going on with lots of 20-something year olds all crowding in the outside area dancing. Not the best atmosphere if you just want to chill with friends for some beers and food. We didn't want to sit inside because the weather was beautiful. There was nothing in their website or social media about there being an event on as I'd checked before. Plus even if we had decided to stay for food, the only thing on offer was loaded fries. A shame but I know I'll be back because I love the Volunteer Tavern usually. I would just hope in future that events are listed so I know when is best to come.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 26, 2022
Sian D.
Lovely atmosphere - have been three times in last three weeks, each time introducing new people to the pub and the food. Customers just need to know that food doesn't arrive quickly but is well worth the wait!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 24, 2023
Lesley G.
Lovely pub, although they weren’t serving food that night they made sure there were delicious vegan samosas. Great selection of beer, lager and cider. Very friendly staff.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 14, 2022
Emily B.
I really love the Volunteer. It's such a great outdoor space to sit in for summer and winter. The food was amazing, the bar staff are always nice and there's a great selection drinks
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 0/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 22, 2021
Michael S.
Such a fabulous pub.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 10, 2021
Louisa D.
Great place
- Overall: 0/10
- Food: 0/10
- Service: 0/10
- Ambience: 1/10
- Value: 0/10
Jun 27, 2022
Eleanor D.
Staff were horrible, and racist to my friend. Never going back
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 24, 2022
Leanne J.
We love the Volley, great Sunday lunch, beers, atmosphere & vibe.
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 05, 2024
Mandy S.
This was our first time at the Volunteer, the roast was very good especially considering the regular chef was absent.
We will definitely visit again next time we are in Bristol.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 17, 2021
Guy P.
love the place. they dont serve food on mondays though, but they let us order in
Business Response:
Hey Guy, thanks so much for this! You've supported a Bristol-based independent pub :) wishing you a lovely day!- Overall: 0/10
- Food: 0/10
- Service: 0/10
- Ambience: 0/10
- Value: 0/10
Apr 14, 2021
Connor K.
Booked a table and got told our table had been taken by somebody else. Got a 30 min Uber into Bristol for this booking and was expecting to have a table for us. Very disappointed