It is no longer new to the pub scene, but The Garrick’s Head is still totally fresh. The decor, atmosphere and, more importantly, the ingredients at this gastropub make of it an essential part of the city centre.

The Venue
The Garrick’s Head sets itself apart from other pubs in most aspects, but it still winks at tradition. It has quirky baby pink walls but the furniture is a clear tribute to traditional pub style with typical wooden tables and high stools.

There are also retro armchairs made more interesting by a chequered cream and black upholstery and the same colours are applied to the floral curtains. Old heavy silver dishes used by the Victorians to serve up roast turkey for Christmas sit above the fireplace, offering a touch of extravangance.

The adjacent dining room is in a similar style but the back wall is covered with interestingly shaped mirrors and even the bathrooms match the quirky style of this pub. No stuffy atmosphere, dark corners or old carpets - what a breath of fresh air.

The People
The Garrick’s Head is elegant, fresh and slightly extravagant. This reflects, in part, on its clientele which is composed of people of all ages, but they all appear to belong to the better-off Bath society. There are the young bucks in polo shirts and girls with designer bags, but there are also older men and women in blazers with stylish haircuts.

There is not much snobbery, though. The place is not very big and there is no chance of walking in without being seen so you may want to leave your ripped jeans and stained T-shirt at home. The groups are rather quiet and keep to themselves, so don't expect much mingling.

The Food
The Garrick’s Head is first and foremost a gastropub, and its menu is full of seasonal, local products that are free range, organic and sustainable wherever possible. The focus is on West Country ingredients, and the kitchen prides itself on doing everything from scratch besides the bread, butter and cheese. Oh, and their fish is delivered daily from the Cornish coast.

Expect the dishes to change frequently and to be along the line of roast guinea fowl breast and bacon with carrots and wilted chard; chargrilled asparagus with poached pheasant egg and hollandaise sauce, or seared Cornish scallops with bacon and samphire. A pub classic like sirloin steak usually makes a guest appearance in the short menu as well, and its quality will force you to abandon pub meals forever.

Usually you pick two or three courses from the dinner menu and pay around £22.50 or £27.50 if you want a dessert as well. For lunch, your choices are halved but the costs are also drastically reduced. Two courses are £14, three are £16 but the food is just as good.

The Drink
Cocktails? You guessed correctly. The Garrick’s Head is definitely an upmarket venue which could not live without a few colourful alcoholic mixes. The selection is not particularly lengthy, and most people’s choice is still beer, but a Champagne cocktail, a Cosmopolitan, Dry Martini, Harvey Wallbanger, Long Island Ice Tea, Vesper and a few others are there for you when you want them.

The wine selection is actually the real treasure of The Garrick’s Head. There are more than 30 bottles to choose from with at least 15 whites and as many reds. The price of a bottle goes from a cheap £12.50 to a more heavy-on-the-wallet £30, but you can pick a glass for most of these and pay only £3 to £5 for a small glass and £4.10 to £7.10 for a large one. And for special occasions – The Garrick’s Head is the best place to celebrate one if your group is not too big – there are six Champagnes to choose from.

If you just want beer you won't be let down. You can get a draught of Amstel, Peroni, Heineken, Leffe, Beech Blonde, Palmers and other rare ales.

The Last Word
The place looks elegantly unusual and there are no complaints possible about the wine list, but the real reason to head to The Garrick’s Head is for the food. Book a table and enjoy real eating pleasure.

venue information venue map view bath review user reviews (1)