Bristol’s Mugshot experience

The main menu 

The star of the show at Mugshot is the menu. It starts off with a range of nibbles from BBQ Beef Short Ribs and Pork Belly Bites to Truffle Croutons. The steaks come with triple cut chips and a parmesan rocket garnish with optional sides like creamy mash and garlic mushrooms. There are a range of steak cuts available, mostly sourced from Ruby and White Butchers located a stone’s throw away on Whiteladies Road. There is also a cauliflower steak vegetarian option. 

There’s such a wide range of butters and sauces to choose from you won’t be disappointed. Black Garlic Kimchi and Cranberry and Orange are stand outs on the menu because they’re so different from your usual steak options. If after all of that you’re not quite full, there is also a delicious seasonal dessert menu to choose from as well.

Hot stone experience 

Mugshot has created a name for itself in the Bristol restaurant scene, largely for its hot stone dining. Hot stones are brought to your table at 350 degrees celsius so you can finish cooking the steak at your table, piece by piece, just to your liking. 

The flavoured butters and sauces infuse the meat with deliciousness to ensure each bite is as magical as the last. This way of cooking also ensures each piece of steak is piping hot right to the end of your meal. If this sounds new to you, don’t stress, all of the waiters are trained and talk you through every step of the process. From where the meat is from and how it is prepared to what will accompany each cut the best, you’re advised all the way. 

In-house specials 

The Mugshot wagyu is definitely one to try. Sourced from Japan the intense marbling and rich taste just melts in your mouth. The soft fat that marbles through the beef has a low melting point, which creates a wonderful texture and holds more flavour than other beef cuts. Full of fatty acids like omega 3 and omega 6, and sourced from Japanese farms near volcanoes with water full of minerals mean this cut of meat is pristine and an experience like no other. It’s the most sought after beef in the world, so treat yourself and give it a try. 

1920s chic

As well as the food, the setting is also extremely impressive. The building itself is a grade 2 listed property in the heart of Bristol’s medieval old town. Its elegant décor has a 1920s aesthetic with warm cosy lighting and lots of exposed woodwork and luxurious green velvet chairs. The restaurant is split over two floors with two bars to keep the drinks flowing. 

With cosy booths for two and long tables for slightly larger groups, it has the perfect sophisticated atmosphere to enjoy your dinner. Fuzzy gramophone music only adds to the experience, really making you feel like you’ve gone back in time. The staff are friendly and inviting, and have excellent product knowledge about the menu and ingredients used. They are more than happy to help and advise you all the way through the hot stone experience making sure you are looked after throughout the meal.

Prohibition inspired cocktails

As well as the food, the drinks menu also adds to the decadent experience of Mugshot. The cocktail menu features profiles of alcohol smugglers from the prohibition era in the 1920s, which was the main inspiration for the menu. The seasonal ingredients are chosen to compliment the food menu perfectly. 

The Library

If you like the look of the drinks menu at Mugshot, then we really recommend visiting its sister venue just down the road. The Library is a secret prohibition bar that continues the 1920s décor and vibe. Hidden behind a secret door, this bar offers a bespoke and unusual cocktail menu, so it’s great if you want to try something a bit different. Reservations are saved to give Mugshot customers priority, so it’s the perfect option for a pre- or post-dinner drink. 

Mugshot certainly succeeds in what the team has set out to try and achieve because you leave feeling like you’ve not only had a delicious meal, but also an entire 1920s experience. The momentary break from the modern world with friendly staff and amazing food leaves you feeling relaxed, satisfied and indulged.