We had a pint in the 'proper' Bristol pub that’s also one of the city’s most popular live music venues

Is it a pub or a music venue? In the case of the Golden Lion, it’s most definitely both, which means double the potential clientele and definitely twice the fun.

This spacious corner pub on Gloucester Road - easily identified by the striking mural that covers the building - has forged quite a reputation for its live music over the years.

The owners’ love of music extends to the bar itself. The walls in one corner are plastered with iconic NME covers from the 1970s and early 80s.

Joy Division, The Jam, Roxy Music and Ian Dury are just a few of the acts on these distinctive three-colour (black, white and red) front covers. 

On the wall above my table was a framed poster of The Damned next to a blackboard with the month’s gigs.

This Saturday (November 11) it’s The Terraplanes and on Sunday at 4pm it’s The Whiskey Wah Wahs.

The gigs take place at the rear of this deep pub, past the red curtain divide, from Thursday to Sunday and it’s a mix of local acts and touring bands.

On Monday night, the pub runs a quiz and there’s an open mic night on Wednesday.

The rest of the week, the Golden Lion is simply a great local pub serving a decent range of ales, lagers and ciders.

On this visit, the draught ales included Oakham Citra and Purity Mad Goose, with Camden Hells lager, Kronenbourg 1664, Guinness, Amstel and Thatchers Gold also on tap. 

My Guinness (£5.50) was poured with great care and allowed to settle for the correct time by a friendly barmaid sporting a vintage Guinness shirt. Talk about taking the job seriously - if Guinness is looking for an ambassador, they need to visit this place.

The pub also serves food from Dead Wingers and their range of chicken wings, corn ribs and truffle and Parmesan fries.

Brave diners can choose between four different sauces ranging in heat up to the hottest, the Dead Satan - a blend of fiery bonnet and habanero sauce with buffalo sauce ‘not for the faint hearted’.

Great food, beer and music - The Golden Lion has it all covered. It’s a proper community pub and one that we would all secretly like as our local.

The Golden Lion, 244 Gloucester Road, Bishopston, Bristol, BS7 8NZ.