Our Bristol-based reviewer Mark Taylor stops by what used to be city favourite Red Light. He gives his assessment of the all-new Golden Crane.
Golden Crane is Bristol’s newest cocktail bar but the building itself has been part of the city’s nocturnal DNA for decades.
This tucked-away basement venue has gone through numerous incarnations, including the Red Light cocktail bar and Nocturne, a late night joint owned by Bristol musical royalty Massive Attack.
The new owners run restaurants in the city but it’s their first cocktail venture. Cavernous and with a warm golden glow, the bar is compact with discreet booth seating.
The drinks are created by co-owner Benjamin Salguero (who opened the Bristol outpost of the London Cocktail Club) and one of his signatures is the Chanoyu Old Fashioned (Dictador 12-year-old rum, Maraschino liqueur, chocolate bitters and homemade lime, orange & green tea syrup) served hot.
Aside from classics, there is a strong Asian theme running through the menu with sake, sushi rice-washed gin and rare Japanese whiskies used to good effect.
Score: 8/10
» Golden Crane, 1 Unity Street, Bristol, BS1 5HH