In January, I’ll be moving house…and while it’ll be great to be in a flat that isn’t cold and damp, I’m a little bit sad that I’ll no longer be right by the Christmas Steps.
The Christmas Steps Arts Quarter is home to a number of quirky, individual businesses, including SHOP and the Bristol Cider Shop on the steps themselves, the newly opened vintage furniture shop Dig Haushizzle on Colston Street, and also the relatively new not-for-profit Beat Root Cafe on Lower Park Row.
While there are a number of coffee shops in the area, they’re mostly chains and franchises (including the controversial Costa Coffee stall outside the BRI), but Beat Root is completely different. Describing themselves as a “Not-For-Profit Community Space with a heavy social and ethical basis”, Beat Root combines hot drinks with music events, an art gallery and a community space for hire upstairs.
It’s a very homely place – the mish mash of second hand furniture, comfortable seating, varied artwork and a bookcase full of reading material to keep you entertained while you enjoy your drink make it feel like you’re enjoying coffee in someone’s living room – a world away from the sterility of the decor of the big chains.
Coffee is from Brian Wogan, including decaf (I’ve been off the caffeine for over a year now!), and I enjoyed a great decaf latte to take away for the sum of just £1.50 – an absolute bargain. You can enjoy a tea (including a wide range of Pukka Teas), Espresso, Americano or flat white for just £1, with all other hot drinks currently £1.50 – although the prices may go up in the new year.
Beat Root do not currently serve food – apart from cake – but they’ve just had an oven delivered and hope to be offering hot food come January.
With free wi-fi, various items including t-shirts and fudge for sale, and the fact that they accept the Bristol Pound (hopefully soon to be offering the TXT2PAY service soon), it’s the sort of business that seems right at home next to the Christmas Steps…and serves good coffee at bargain prices. What’s not to love?
Find Beat Root Cafe on the Bristol Bites Directory…
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