Welcome to the first feature in a new Group called Clifton's Finest, celebrating the best that Clifton has to offer and the Cori Tap is certainly that.

When Mick and Jan Gale arrived at The Coronation Tap 13

years ago they expected to stay for just three months to turn things around.

Back then they possibly never imagined that today they would be at the helm of

one of Bristol's most prominent pubs.

The temptation to change it too much has been resisted, and

it retains its "old boozer" atmosphere. It's a formula that's worked

and, whilst business was slow when they first took over, these days customers

queue to get in.

This now world-famous cider house, with its main entrance at

the end of Portland Street, has been operating under the same name for

centuries. Its history, dating back to the reign of "Mad" King George

III, can be found on The Cori's 

websites: www.thecoronationtap.com

and/or www.myspace.com/thecoronationtap

along with more info.

The Cori also has its own Facebook page - "The

Coronation Tap - official!" -  alongside

many other "unofficial" Facebook pages which include The Cori Tap

Appreciation Society with 1,167 members at the last count.

Whilst Jan was initially apprehensive about taking on a pub,

now she wouldn't be anywhere else. She told me: 

"I moved here knowing nothing much about pubs, Bristol or Clifton,

but it was a challenge and I very quickly grew to love it. You have everything

you could want from a big city and Clifton has a great village atmosphere. Just

one of the many things I love about The Cori is that we never know who might

walk through the doors to enjoy themselves alongside our regulars.

"It could be

a Japanese film crew (they don't have cider over there!); it could be a male

voice choir in black tie, or a paranormal investigator; it's frequently

tourists, and there are those who return after as much as a 50-year absence.

And this mixed customer base creates a really vibrant atmosphere.

"These four walls have been a "home from home",

too, for thousands of students over the years, and every year freshers make a

beeline for The Cori - often introduced by parents who enjoyed their

"education" here!

"Trips to The Cori are an unwritten part of the

university curriculum. "The students are a lot of fun, really refreshing, and

it's great to see them having a good time.

"Another real buzz are our gigs. Bristol was very recently

named the UK's most musical city - and deservedly so. We have so many amazingly

talented musicians right here on our doorstep, and I feel hugely privileged

that they want to play here.

"Being a finalist in the UK Music Pub of the Year

awards for the second year running is down to them, and I'd love nothing more

than to bring the trophy home this time as a huge "thank you!" Wish

us luck at the finals on 21 April!"

The secret of The Cori's popularity? It's not rocket

science. They don't pretend to be anything they're not - what you see is what you

get.

"We're a little old cider house where everyone's welcome" says Jan, "and all we aim to

do is ensure that all our customers have a good time. Have you been 'Corried?'"