Ernie Lister Bar in Torbay - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

We have been visiting this establishment for several years when, on our Holidays. Unfortunately, our last visit, will be our last. TV's on nearly all the walls, one showing tropical fish 🐟. In the past the one TV that was there, was showing vintage music videos, which the customers of our age, (50's/60's) enjoyed. Also, they have removed, FOSTERS, which was popular, and replaced it with Bay's lager which, has a taste of 'Hops'. Not a Lager in our book! The only other Lager in San Miguel, an expensive lager that you would not spend the evening drinking! Also, the bar was closed early, on a Saturday night, because there was not enough people in the bar! There were 9 before the'Bell' rang at 10pm! Which resulted in the customers, that were in the bar, leaving, and taking their custom elsewhere. Including us. They don't even have an outside line phone to call taxis for the customers. So for us, that's it.

After checking online, and discovering that the venue was open until 10pm, and the restaurant was open until 9.30pm, we walked in at 8.30pm and saw a restaurant with a plethora of vacant tables. The first waitress ignored us completely and the second waitress that eventually came, we asked if we could eat and she checked some sort of schedule, checked her watch and we were rudely turned away due to the fact that the kitchen was closing in 20 mins. So why advertise that the venue closes at 10pm? Why advertise that the restaurant closes at 9.30pm? Why does it take 20 mins to make a couple of mains? Why were we turned away during this current economic climate in which surely every penny should count? It would seem that unless you book a table within plenty of time, at least two hours preferably, you cannot eat here.

Ate here this week while staying in Brixham. Attached to the Quayside Hotel, the bar is essentially a pub serving food. It all looked clean and tidy and the barman was very polite and friendly when we arrived but I sensed something…… If you are familiar with one of our favourite films, “American werewolf in London”, then this could be the “slaughtered lamb”. A recent review mentions a local who hated children. Maybe she was the lady already there when we arrived who basically stared at us walking in, during our stay and again walking out. The menu is short and concise, and each option chosen was OK. Well presented, hot and obviously freshly prepared. We just got that vibe that it wasn’t exactly welcoming, especially if you had a three year old who was just being an average good three year old. All in all - OK. We did visit the toilets which were all clean and tidy but on the way up the stairs got that slightly Fawlty Towers feeling.

Nice little pub. Good selection of drinks. Food was nice but not that much choice. Children welcome until 9:30pm. Only criticism was one of the locals made it clear he didn't like children and said they shouldn't be in pubs......good job we've moved on alot since the 1940's and family's now keep these places going especially in a holiday destination.

Cosy and friendly pub which serves lovely fresh food, we tried the catch of the day (Lemon Sole) and also tried the scallops all cooked to perfection all very delicious, well worth a casual walk up the hill from the harbour.

Dropped in for evening drinks. Service was good as were the drinks but the food was distinctly average.

I had the Goan fish curry which was just awful, no taste at all. Tasted like it had been frozen and then microwaved.

I went to the Ernie Lister Pub in Brixham for the first time in December. I cannot believe I’ve overlooked this little gem. The pub has a fun, cozy atmosphere. The service was great and the meal was well prepared with tons of flavour. I had scallops as a starter…to die for! My main course was the seafood platter which served the freshest smoked salmon, crabmeat, prawns in their shell and shrimp with Marie Rose sauce. The platter also came with chips and a dressed salad. The combination of the scallops, followed by the seafood platter was extremely satisfying and what I would consider a healthy meal. I look forward to my next visit!

Cosy, friendly atmosphere. The bar staff were very welcoming. There was plenty of beer choices and they had Tribute! We celebrated the 2021/22 new year here and had a great time.

We ordered two medium steaks and when they arrived they were more like Blue. There was blood on the plate and the steaks were cold in the middle. I would say that these steaks were taken straight out of the fridge and coloured, can't say cooked because they were not. They were also not rested before plating. We sent them back and they coloured us two more and they were exactly the same. I wish I had taken a photo's to share now. The chips were very nice. Birthday meal ruined. I would have given zero stars but didn't have the option. Will not go here for food ever again. They took £10 off bill but the damage had already been done.

I have been coming to Brixham for 50 or more years. My sister lives 4 doors up from this pub and I couldn't imagine a trip to Brixham without at least one visit to the Ernie Lister for supper or a few drinks (very good 'Proper Job' being served last week).

This is a very classy traditional pub. The food was excellent - a really juicy steak and great accompaniments and a very flavourful chicken supreme with a good selection of vegetables and potatoes. Limited but good selection of beer and very attentive and friendly service. It is expensive - but this serves to keep out the hoi polloi and makes for a very civilised evening.

Bar manager Megan, ably assisted by the rather esoteric Nettie, runs this place like clockwork which is a significant achievement every night when coping with the demands of both regulars and visiting holidaymakers. The Ernie Lister has a well deserved reputation for its food, especially seafood, and both the local mussels and the mixed seafood platter are top quality and good value for money. It will be interesting to see what changes the new owners here make - hopefully none to the Ernie Lister bar but the hotel itself would benefit from some overdue tlc.

Lovely comfortable bar provide a good selection of meals especially locally caught fish. My wife had a pave of hake and I had black bream, could not be better.

Top quality fish expertly cooked costs money which means the generous cut of turbot here with hollandaise sauce and a full complement of fresh vegetables at £29.95 (London restaurants please take note!) represents amazing value for money. So are the plump, succulent local Elberry Cove mussels and the Goan monkfish curry. The low, wooden panelled ceilings and blue tiled bar provide a cosy ambiance with historical associations to long gone but revered Brixham chandler and marine engineer Ernie Lister, hence the bar’s name. Bar manager Megan and the somewhat esoteric Nettie work their socks off to ensure tourists and locals alike have an enjoyable time. A place not to be missed for a meal or just a drink.

It’s business as usual at the Ernie Lister after the lockdown and everything is as good as it always was. A perfectly cooked loin of hake atop a melange of al dente vegetables in a white wine, lemon and cream sauce was a delight to eat and evidence that the skilled chef here is still top of his game. Exemplary bar manageress Megan and her slightly esoteric assistant Nettie ensure that everyone, regulars and tourists alike, are well looked after. A totally professional team who understand what customer service is all about and make the Ernie the great place that it is.

Despite the COVID-19 restrictions bar manager Megan and her team are clearly determined to do whatever they can to provide great hospitality for local regulars and visitors alike. There are several good quality but inexpensive additions to the menu now that you have to have a meal to get a drink. Despite Corvid there is a friendly, convivial atmosphere here which is sadly lacking in many of the other local bars. Pave of hake with a creamy pea risotto, wholetail scampi with chips and salad and the outstanding local Elbury Cove mussels are the highlights of the dishes produced by an obviously professional, skilled kitchen. I have been eating here for many years and have never been disappointed.

If only there were 0 stars! Called in with mask and hand sanitised at 9:20 only to be told that last orders had been taken. Well considering we are only 10 houses along we know where we stand. Maybe we will cancel our dinner reservation for tomorrow. I felt completely ashamed and embarrassed. We could have gone to do many other outlets but chose here only to be turned away!Hope you enjoyed your early finish!

Four of us had dinner in the Earnie Lister bar (not the restaurant because we had a dog with us). Food was excellent and all really enjoyed it. I had some of the best lamb I have ever had. Fab home made ice cream. My son is veggie and there was plenty of choice for him. His goats cheese starter and risotto main course were just lovely. Highly recommend this place for really good quality food.

Found it a little drab and dingy. Had a seat by the window though so got good views over the harbour. Beer not great.

We visited Ernie on our long weekend to Brixham. The bars in the harbour and across the harbour were nearly always full. We visited here every night and they very kindly reserved the window seat for us each night. On our last night we had a Medley of seafood and it was just amazing. There is a good choice of food on their menu also drinks. The staff friendly really a nice pub

We came for an evening meal on a Friday during a week in Brixham. While the starters were fine we were shocked by how embarrassing the portion of fish in the Fish and Chips were for a harbour town. We sent one back (which was just skin in batter - no actual fish) and got a similar mouthful of fish back. When we questioned the portions the waitress told us that she was a vegetarian so wouldn’t know. I’m not a fan of lettuce but I know the difference between a lettuce leaf and a whole iceberg! Thoroughly disappointing on all counts!! Also, could not work out why reservations got table service but walk-ins had to go to the bar. Excellent two-tier system during social distancing. Would avoid!

I pre-booked a table for a few drinks on a Sunday afternoon whilst on Holiday in Brixham, in August 2020. The person who arranged my booking was very helpful. The bar has screens up between the tables which are well spaced and there’s also plenty of hand sanitizer available. The bar is quiet, but they did have BT Sport on, and it’s a good place to go for a few quiet drinks. We enjoyed our visit. Thanks.

Watched the band “southern comfort” and enjoyed the evening with a great atmosphere with the locals !

So the bar tender, looks a bit like where’s wally, but without the stripy top.Basically, around 17:00, out with the family, our 2 year old was walking around entertaining the other guests. He was a little hungry, so he wasn’t ready to sit down.The bar guy rudely demanded we tell our child to sit, we did all look at each other thinking “well that’s rude”.So we asked if at all possible, bring the side of peas out quick at all so he has some food.He said “No! The food will all come together”We politely explained why.He barked “no” again.We left.Moral of the story, of you have kids, avoid. Been coming hear 20 years and never been treated once like this. Hence I’m taking my time to write this.Disgusting!!!!!!

Excellent bar food and entertainment at least twice a week, all year . Entertainment, "Southern Comfort " is mentioned in the Guinness book of records.

Whilst down on holiday i stopped here for lunch with my dog.The food was lovely and well worth the walk up a rather steep hill.Will visit again if i am down again on holiday.

We had a great meal here. Thai Curry chips rice...burger chips .lots of choices ,.great beer and staff were brilliant withspeedy service, plus the price was well worth our meal . We were so impressed we went back as it was up the road from our house we hired for our trip. I highly recommend..

Visited the ernie lister bar on numerous occassions for a meal has a family and was very satisfied every time so we decided to have our xmas dinner there, what a BIG MISTAKE, the food was a joke it wouldn't have filled a mouse, i couldn't believe my eyes when the starter arrived, a tiny circle of prawn and avocado followed by a main fish course.The fish dish was described as a dou of fish, what was presented was a 3 inch tail of fish with 4 tiny mussles, 2 tiny roast spuds and a laughable tiny bowl of over cooked veg, followed by cheese and biscuits which consisted of 2 tiny pieces of cheese and a few walnuts, of which the over attentive waitress tried to take away before we had finished. NEVER AGAIN. To top it of there was absolutely no atmosphe what so ever. A complete waste of time going out, we ended up having to eat a meal later xmas day. £55.00 for the meal each, being a family of 4 we thought this was daylight robbery.

Good local beers, nice food, great location. A Brixham institution and a family favorite (I remember going there with my dad 40 years ago)

Great food, reasonably priced, the Mussels were amazing (be hungry) good atmosphere - friendly bar staff. Dog friendly.

Have eaten here many times their new summer menu this year does not disappoint. Fabulous meals had on a quiet Sunday evening with excellent service from Holly! Thank you!

This small bar has the best view of the harbour and will definitely visit here once more before we leave!

On arrival the pub was very quiet, bar staff very friendly, we had booked lunch our table was in the window area so we had views of the harbour. Starters of mussels locally fished were amazing, my husband had fish cake starter, portions were very generous, followed by traditional fish and chips, batter was thin and crispy, fish plump, white and cooked to perfection, even the chips were amazing, accompanied by homemade tartare sauce, we couldn’t fault this meal or the service!!! We live in Torquay and would certainly make the journey there again, and recommend to our friends.

Took advantage of happy hour...... £28.00 for non branded spirits and flat coke.... avoid at all costs. Service took over 20 minutes

Might not be too fair here as we did arrive at last call for food but the burgers we ordered were very very well done. Hopefully they put better food in the table when the chefs not halfway out the door.

We visited this bar on a couple of occasions for a bar meal and the simple tasty food was just what we wanted. On the second occasion a group called southern comfort were playing on Saint Patrick's Day and the entertainment was great. A brilliant evening.

Served food and drink by Holly who is a real asset to the business. Happy, friendly and works really hard.

Not sure of the name of the couple playing and singing music, but it was a good laugh and the music was pretty good. The local stick to one end and the visitors the other but you can mix as long as you're brave (or drunk) enough!

Enjoyed a superb evening of entertainment with Southern Comfort Band. Friendly locals good selection of wines ... We will return.

nice pub and great barman OTTO. Watched the rugby in there and chatted with locals. the meals would be good as its the same chef as next doors hotel.

Popped in for a Christmas Eve drink. Wish we hand not as the woman behind the bar was as miserable as sin and unwelcoming. Could not wait to get out and did not even finish our drinks.

The staff were very pleasant but not overfamiliar.

Just went in for a pint and to listen to local musicians on Folk Night. Great atmosphere, full of locals and tourists.

Stopped here for a drink on our way from the town to our rental property and it was lovely. Ambiance inside was delightful and the girl behind the bar was courteous and friendly. Sat at a table near the window and read the bio of the gentleman the bar is named after. Such a lovely tribute to an obviously amazing gentleman. We hope to visit Brixham again one day and will definitely stop by here again.

Fantastic little bar attached to a brilliant hotel. Great food,great staff and very quirky.(and great if your short-very low ceiling!!)

Food average and spoiled by the running football coverage! We had great expectations before we went there, but were disappointed by the ambience. More a sports pub than an eating place.

Excellent food and the staff could not have been more helpful . Lovely presentation Definitely will be visiting again

We visited the establishment on a Monday night after a recommendation. The food was very average. The Vegetable Lasagne was stodgy and the Chicken Korma runny with a rubbery rice ball to accompany it. Disappointed as the ambience of the bar is very nice and the staff extremely friendly.

When we go to Brixham we always make an effort to pop in when they have live music. Its great fun (especially if "Southern Comfort" are playing. The locals and tourists always seem to be friendly as are the staff. Nice ambience.

My wife and I eat here one evening in July. The bar is dog friendly which to us is a bonus, my wife and I chose Lasagne with garlic bread and salad. we were both a little disappointed with the Lasagne as it was tasteless.

Really enjoyed our meal. Service was good. The place has a nice cosy comfortable atmosphere. I hope I get the chance to return.

A Real nice place to just sit, chill out and enjoy an ale or gin. Overlooks the harbour so nice view too although no beer front garden.

We have often little walk led up at this pub and never quite made it but today decided to walk around

Having past this place a few times we decided we would book a table for Sunday lunch (the menu has a great variety).

Stayed in the Quayside hotel which is attached and ate here one evening. Good atmosphere, friendly staff. Food was good and arrived quickly.

Nice evening at the Ernie Lister bar, good selection of wines & beers, used bar menu & that was quite fine. Restaurant looked very nice, looked at the menu, maybe next time. Nice traditional atmosphere with friendly staff.

We have been coming here for many years on our annual holiday tonight we had the most awful meal the seafood risotto was terrible lots of rice very little fish the Goan Monkfish Curry which i’ve had many times before was mainly sauce and very little fish we did complain but nothing was done . Another guest also sent there meal back whilst we were there.

Lovely food, friendly staff. Great atmosphere. We turned up without a book and they were really accomodating. Lovely experience

We visited the public restaurant at this hotel (which is the next room to the Ernie Lister Bar) on Saturday 26 May at approximately 6.45pm. About 10, maybe 15 minutes after we had sat down and before we’d ordered (thankfully) a couple came in with not one dog, not two, but three dogs! I thought they would be turned away but no, nothing was said. This restaurant is very small, 16 –20 covers at most, so they were obviously in close proximity to us (as was obvious from the smell).

We were a party of 5 visiting the harbour area for the great Pirates Festival and wanted lunch. We wanted somewhere which was slightly out of the pirate area and therefore less crowded. We had often walked past this Bar but this was the first time we had gone in.

Clearly well loved by those of a certain age and plenty going on ( music, quizzes etc.) but equally a bit stuck in time. Great location overlooking harbour- but can’t see it from bar, next to hotel with good menu but not here, and promising beer selections though lacklustre delivery. Needs a good shake up which retains good bits but catches up with the newer Brixham that others have embraced- in my opinion, though maybe it doesn’t want to.

My wife and I had lunch at the Ernie Lister and had the best service. Only recommendation to them would be to offer de-caff coffee. It’s so easy to buy a jar of de-caff rather than saying no we don’t do that.

We recently revisited The Ernie Lister Bar after quite a few years. The service was good but the food was just okay. When we used to visit we always noted that the bar was busy and this time around that was not the case and maybe the so-so food might have something to do with that. We also noted that they no longer do the platter of assorted grilled fish with chips and salad and feel that they are missing a trick. Something that used to set them apart from the competition. Fingers crossed they put that little gem back on the menu.

Called in for drinks whilst walking around harbour. Very warm welcoming bar. Lovely decor. Very clean. Would definitely consider staying at this hotel on our return to Brixham

popped in here for a quick drink on our walk back to our holiday rental. Nice view across the harbour,nice bar and atmosphere. food looked amazing even though we didnt eat there

Popped into Ernie Lister bar as great music could be heard as we passed by.

In the centre of Brixham on harbour edge. An atmospheric place. I once saw the actor comedian Les Dennis at the bar. Long established and worth a visit for a few pints or some good local food.

We returned to Ernie's again on our summer holiday. Food was amazing and the staff are great, nothing is too much trouble!

We always pay a visit or several to Ernie's when we're in Brixham. It's been a couple of years since we were last here and were looking forward to revisiting. We weren't disappointed. The food was lovely - we ate in there on several evenings during our stay. The staff are great and very friendly. Can't recommend it enough!

We were visiting brixham for the day and had been told to visit a pub by a friend thatvwad closed and we found this one down the road it is away from the main part where it us busy just above the harbour when we went in we were the only people in there but to be honest we didn't mind only had a drink the barman was so lovely stood and chatted with us the whole time we were there made us feel so welcome oh and I love his moustache so wanted to twiddle it hehe

Quick prompt service with hearty food in a lovely environment.

Went at 6.30 to get a table as recommended in the visitors book in our cottage

This is a lovely place , the bar staff were very nice and ready to have a bit of fun which is nice And the food was very good , and a good drinks selection

Had a meal and a drink here.It is a great place. Staff are all very friendly. Food is very good whether it's fish or meat.Sometimes live entertainment takes place which is good fun.Would definitely recommend.Richard Jones

Ate here at last minute as could not get in anywhere not expecting much .we ate in the bar I had the fish my lady had the pie and was pleasantly surprised it was very tasty and I actually had two fish in batter brought to me on plate the mrs said her homemade pie was lovely and the price was good. Give it a try

Visited here for lunch with family to make the most of a 2for1 voucher we had for main meals. Food was of a decent standard and service was friendly. Not the best but not the worst!

I love this bar, it's a bit off the usual route around the harbour but well worth a look.A great selection of food and drink in a comfortable setting.

One of my favourite pubs. Great bar food and music on Thursday nights Go to Devon around 4times a year and always go to Ernie Listers.

Look no further for a good old fashioned pub with everything. We didn't eat here, but everyone who did said the food was fab. The staff are so friendly, the entertainment in the form of Southern Comfort and other various singers and percussionists. I enjoyed being part of the band as did my husband, triangle player extraordinaire

Well cooked and very well presented food from local suppliers . Nice restaurant ambience attentive and willing staff

We only had lunch of sandwiches but came with chips and salad and was good value as we had a buy one get one free. Has live music unfortunately we did not visit on those occasions.

Stopped in for dinner. Husband, who is not at all a picky eater, ordered the chicken pie. At first cut into the pie, I could tell it was not going to be good. The filling was almost like a gelatinous goup. The pastry was wafer thin and like cardboard. For him to say that it was "incredibly bad" is a lot for him. My dish was edible, but barely. In the course of a 10-day vacation in the U.K., we ate a lot of pies and at a lot of pubs. We both agreed this was the worst meal of our trip.

This pub may not be very big but the welcome was and the food was excellent Seafood platter was a delightAle was pretty good too Staff very friendly and welcoming

Three of us went in for a meal at lunch time.Two fish and chips and one mussels with drinks.Food was first class. Fresh and tasty.Service from the barmaid/waitress was superb. Very friendly and helpful.Have been there three times now and this my first review. Every time it has been outstanding.

Stumbled upon this bar walking along - decided to have brunch. I had an omelette which came with chips and salad - fresh produce - my partner had a sandwich which came with a salad and chips also - very friendly lady behind the bar. My partner wished to try a local cider and the bar lady offered for him to try first to see if he liked it - this was a lovely little touch! Will be back

A great plate of food reasonably priced. Charming service from the bar staff in a very relaxing environment. Will be back very soon.

I stayed in the attached Quayside Hotel for a long weekend break so popped into the Ernie Lister bar every night on my way out and way back in for a pint. Excellent atmosphere with friendly clientele and good live music on two of the nights that I stayed. I didn't eat there but the food looked very nice and I've heard good reports about it from others.

Good location they show BT sport so saw football and rugby good pint and staff very helpful. I have been before and its just the same easy going bar

Named after a local hero, one of several mariners the town boasts, this bar is part of the adjacent Quayside hotel. Good real ales served to perfection, discourage leaving on a dark and stormy night

Excellent Nachos .... big portion but slightly overpriced . Nice beer and prices for a beer and gin/tonic was good value for a pub .

1st time I've been disappointed with this place...plastic glasses are not for me I'm afraid..my wife who was drinking Bailey's was poorly in the night & we put it down to the plastic glasses...Bailey's is not best in anything apart from glass as it can curdle..beer goes flat within seconds..as I said earlier it's my only ever concern about the place & I've been going in for years but it's probably made our mind up not to travel from the Midlands nxt new year if the plastic thing is to continue...great pub & staff but plastic is a big no from me..sorry..

And dancing with the Southern Comfort group. They get everyone going with a terrific friendly atmosphere..

From welcome to leaving time the staff are very friendly and efficient. Food is very good value for money; especially the fixed menus. I am not a fish dish person but they will gladly prepare me a chicken dish. The ambience is welcoming and you leave with a warm feeling inside.

Food, especially freshly caught Brixham fish, has always been a big part of the Ernie Lister bar and recently promoted head chef Phil Windsor is maintaining the high tandards of his predecessor. It is six months since I have eaten here, but the red mullet was cooked to perferction and came with crisp outside and fluffy inside chips and a good mixed salad. Head barman Dave deals equally expertly with the demands of visiting tourists and the whinges of some rather strangely attired grumpy locals who bleat about everything from the volume of the television to the real ales. Definietly one of the best bars in Brixham.

Not a bad bar. It's clean tidy and warm. Just drank there. Didn't sample the bar menu. Did request a coffee in the evening - the chap behind the bar wasn't too impressed, so opted for a soft drink instead!!!

Friendly staff ,great live bands and the food is very good,quaint cosy pub,some very good ales and selection of wines

Overlooking the harbour but a little bit away from the main scrum of bars and chippies. We received a warm welcome from the friendly staff. The menu is small but varied with nightly specials.The food was excellent as was the atmosphere and would come back like a shot.

A pub we aimed for nearby appeared closed so we came here instead at about 550pm. They have a happy hour from midday to 6pm. That meant 40p off a pint. I had a local ale (Devon dreamer if I recall correctly) which was nice. Friendly service, not busy that time of day. Not a big bar but cosy. I noticed 3 tables reserved but they handily put the reserve time on them so they can be occupied before that. They served food which we didn't have as we wee passing. It was child friendly and for that matter dog friendly on our visit (like many places in Brixham). Clean tables, clean loos, pricing fine, choice of ales, all in all a nice place above the Quay. They have live music on at times. Whilst we were they it was relatively low key 80s music which we liked.

Visited here a few times for a drink and meal. The menu is limited but still the food is normally good, had to send a meal back once, the staff were very apologetic and we got a refund. The bar is small but has some good beers available. The bar also has bt sport for the football - the only bar in Brixham I think with football available.