The Famous Royal Navy Volunteer, known locally as 'The Volley,' is a historic pub situated on Bristol's King Street. Dating back to 1665, this Grade II* listed building offers a traditional English pub atmosphere. The pub boasts an extensive selection of 36 lines of craft beers, cask ales, and ciders, sourced from local and independent UK breweries. The menu features classic British dishes, including renowned Sunday roasts. The venue also offers two function rooms for hire, a games room with pool, darts, and shuffleboard, and hosts live music events on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings.
What each source says
- Google Places 4.3 2,200
- Tripadvisor 4.0 329
Bar length is review volume, so you can see how much weight sits behind each score. Captured 2026-08-25.
What visitors single out
Liked
- Charming and Historic Venue Located in a 17th-century building, this pub offers a unique and atmospheric setting with a roof terrace and multiple seating areas, adding to its overall appeal.
- Dog-Friendly Atmosphere Welcoming to dogs, this pub provides a relaxed and inclusive environment for pet owners, making it a great choice for those who don't want to leave their furry friends behind.
- Excellent Sunday Roast The Sunday roast is consistently praised for its deliciousness, generous portions, and quality ingredients, making it a standout option and a must-try item.
- Extensive Beer and Cider Selection This pub boasts a massive and frequently updated selection of beers and ciders, including local and international options, with knowledgeable staff to guide your choices and offer tasters.
- Friendly and Attentive Staff Many reviewers highlight the friendly and helpful staff who provide excellent service, creating a welcoming and enjoyable experience for patrons.
Criticised
- Can Get Very Crowded As a popular venue, particularly on weekends and during events, the pub can get extremely crowded, leading to potential waits at the bar and difficulty finding seating.
- Inconsistent Food Quality While the Sunday roast receives high praise, other menu items can be inconsistent in quality, with some reviewers noting dry burgers and underwhelming experiences.
- Inconsistent Portion Sizes Some reviewers have noted that portion sizes, particularly for certain dishes like steak or fish and chips, can be smaller than expected, especially considering the price.
- Limited Vegetarian Options The menu may lack diverse vegetarian options beyond the Sunday roast, potentially disappointing those with dietary restrictions.
- Service Can Be Slow Despite generally positive feedback about the staff's friendliness, some reviewers have experienced slow service, particularly when the pub is busy.
The longer read
The Famous Royal Navy Volunteer, affectionately known as "The Volley" by locals, is a popular and historic pub located on King Street in Bristol, known for its extensive selection of beers, ciders, and ales, including many local and craft options. Reviewers consistently praise the wide variety of drinks and the knowledgeable staff who are happy to offer recommendations and samples. The pub also offers a rooftop terrace, which is a popular spot on sunny days, as well as indoor seating with a cozy atmosphere, often featuring live music and comedy events. The pub is dog-friendly. The building itself has character, and customers find it to be a great place to have drinks. Many reviewers specifically recommend the Sunday roast, with many claiming it to be one of the best in Bristol, offering generous portions and excellent quality for the price, though a few reviewers have noted inconsistencies with the availability of certain roast items like Yorkshire puddings and cauliflower cheese, as well as temperature issues on occasion. There are vegetarian options for the Sunday roast. The service is generally described as friendly and attentive. Some reviewers have mentioned the presence of a doorman who occasionally creates a negative experience. The pub can get crowded, especially on weekends and during sporting events, so booking a table is recommended. The pub has a varied menu that includes pizzas, nachos, burgers, fish and chips and other traditional pub fare. Most found the food to be very tasty. Some reviewers mention that the layering of nachos can be off. A few reviewers have noted that vegetarian options on the standard menu (outside of the Sunday roast) are limited. The pub is located in a vibrant area close to the harbor side and the Old Vic theatre, making it a convenient spot for a pre- or post-show meal or drink. Although most reviewers have had positive experiences, some have mentioned slow service during busy periods, and some inconsistencies in food quality.
A synthesis of published third-party reviews. Not written by Breaks.
Getting there
- Phone
- +44 117 911 8626
- Website
- navyvolunteer.co.uk
| Mon | 12:00 - 0:00 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 12:00 - 0:00 |
| Wed | 12:00 - 0:00 |
| Thu | 12:00 - 1:00 |
| Fri | 12:00 - 1:00 |
| Sat | 12:00 - 1:00 |
| Sun | 12:00 - 0:00 |
Against the neighbourhood
Rated 4.3 against a median of 4.3 across the 17 places to eat we hold for Southville, where the most-reviewed is Turtle Bay Bristol Broad Quay.
Still deciding?
- What varieties of craft beers, cask ales, and ciders are currently available at The Famous Royal Navy Volunteer?
- When does The Volley serve its renowned Sunday roast and what options are included in the menu?
- Can the two function rooms at The Famous Royal Navy Volunteer be booked for private events, and what facilities do they offer?
- What historic elements of the Grade II* listed building contribute to the traditional English pub atmosphere at The Volley?
- Does The Famous Royal Navy Volunteer provide a games room for patrons, and what types of games or entertainment are available?
What this page cannot tell you
- Descriptions and review summaries are supplied by the source index and are reproduced as published; they are not independently verified by Breaks.
- Ratings and review counts are point-in-time snapshots and drift constantly. Check the venue's own site or the rating provider for the current figure.
- Opening hours change seasonally and at short notice. Confirm with the venue before travelling.
- Category labels come from the source index and are occasionally wrong — a venue may be filed under a type that does not match how it trades.
- Straight-line distances understate real walking distance, especially where a river or railway sits between two points.