BITE user comments - fairport79
Comments by fairport79
Pub closed and boarded up at 15th July 2009 - all furniture and pumps have been removed. Rumour has it, that the pub will reopen but not as a real ale house. A sad end to a Leeds institution.
15 Jul 2009 16:36
The Smithfield Hotel, Manchester
Classic Manchester pub, with a choice of around eight real ales. Best pub in Manchester for beer scoopers.
16 Feb 2007 00:51
Was disappointed on my last visit in September, when I had a very poor pint. Used to be very good.
16 Feb 2007 00:50
Heard a rumour that it has finally been demolished. Can any Manchester residents confirm this?
16 Feb 2007 00:48
Large characterless Wetherspoon's pub. Beer quality OK. Meeting point for stag and hen weekends.
16 Feb 2007 00:48
Perhaps the only outlet for real ale in the Gay Village. Good Beer Guide listed on a couple of occasions. Good if you are waiting for a bus at Chorlton Street.
16 Feb 2007 00:47
This pub is owned by Liz Dawn and is a mecca for fans of Coronation Street - see memrobilia on the walls. No real ale, but good for a cheeky VAT.
16 Feb 2007 00:46
Mr Thomas' Chop House, Manchester
Terrific historical pub with a very small bar area at the front, with above average ales.
16 Feb 2007 00:45
Whilst all other traditional pubs around the Marble Arch fall, the Marble Arch provides the one good reason to take a trip up Rochdale Road.
16 Feb 2007 00:44
Terrific pub with a mixed crowd. Excellent food, and staff with a clear intention of making your visit as enjoyable as possible.
P.S. I hope Tony Wilson gets well soon. If it wasn't for him, we'd never have had Joy Division/New Order and the Happy Mondays.
16 Feb 2007 00:43
Weird place for beer scoopers, but the best steak sandwich I've ever tasted, and the only time I've seen Tetley Imperial in cask form.
16 Feb 2007 00:41
Home of traditional Irish music in the city centre, and another pub that needs to be maintained for future generations. The barman is a bit sardonic and dry, but he is a United in a part of town swamped with City fans!
16 Feb 2007 00:40
The Hare and Hounds, Manchester
The only pub I always visit when I'm in Manchester. Once in an area swamped with pubs, the H&H has been listed for future generations to enjoy. Tetley's and Holt's available.
16 Feb 2007 00:38
The Grey Horse Inn, Manchester
Perhaps even smaller than the Circus Tavern! Decent quality of ale, a good place to relax with a pint of Hyde's Bitter and the Evening News. Attracts some of the overspill of the older gay crowd from the village.
16 Feb 2007 00:37
Very much a student's pub, but a good place to chill out. Two real ales are normally on tap, with a decent selection of bottled beers. Worth a visit.
16 Feb 2007 00:35
Traditional Holt's pub behind the former Boddington's Brewery. Don't know much longer it will survive with the relentless march of development going on, but it is well supported by North Manchester CAMRA, and I hope the pub continues to operate.
16 Feb 2007 00:34
Ex-Tetley festival ale house attracting office workers from the nearby financial heart of the city centre. Around six or seven ales, and they offer a very quick lunchtime food service.
16 Feb 2007 00:31
Very friendly pub with waitress service even at busy times. There's a living history of the pub in photographs on the wall. There's quite a few pictures of the landlord's previous pub - the Douglas - on the walls too.
16 Feb 2007 00:30
Unchanged Robinson's pub with the whole range of their beers on offer. The snug is really cosy and good for a winter's day session, and the beer quality is very good indeed.
16 Feb 2007 00:29
Talking to the landlady at the Smithfield, there appears to be no way back for the Beer House. Interestingly, I've looked at the plans for the developments around the area, and the pub still stands.
A sad end for a once great pub.
16 Feb 2007 00:28
Apparently, despite the appearance of the pub both internally and on the outside, it only opened around 1993. Typical Holt's pub attracting an older crowd. Above average quality ales.
16 Feb 2007 00:26
Very traditional pub near the City Hall, but suffers a little in comparison to the City Arms next door. However, the ale available is of a good quality.
16 Feb 2007 00:25
Ex-Tetley's Festival Ale House, but the quality beers still remain. Good value food, and friendly staff.
16 Feb 2007 00:24
The Highland Inn, Little Woodhouse
Little gem tucked between Burley Road and Kirkstall Road. Now longer sells Tetley's Dark Mild, but the bitter and one guest ale are still available. Still doing a roaring trade despite its location.
16 Feb 2007 00:23
The best pub in Leeds by a nose. Resisted all attempts to develop and "regenerate", and now has listed status. Also the best pub in Leeds for folk and roots music, with eight top quality real ales. Don't stroke the dog - he might be in a bad mood!
16 Feb 2007 00:19
Ex-Tetley's pub which will surely thrive after the reopening of the Grand Theatre. The bar staff are young and enthusiastic, and the real ale is of a high standard.
16 Feb 2007 00:17
The beer range and quality has improved over the last few years, but unfortunately the pub menu has become quite bland (though the quality of the food is fine, I hasten to add) and can't claim to be a luncheon bar anymore. On Saturday nights, they occasionally open the back bar, but I've only been in twice in the last ten years!
16 Feb 2007 00:15
In the style of a station buffet bar, so it attracts all kinds of customers, and is best avoided on matchdays - Leeds and Barnsley "fans" clashed in August. Having said that, the beer quality is very good.
16 Feb 2007 00:13
Headed off a plan by the owners Bass to refurbish the pub and take away its character in 2001, and has been rewarded with a rise in customer numbers. Three separate rooms, and six high quality real ales.
16 Feb 2007 00:12
The closest good pub to the railway station. Eight high quality real ales are always on tap, and the pub holds regular beer festivals. Gets insanely busy on Friday evenings. The pub does employ bar staff, and may close when Leeds are playing high profile opposition.
16 Feb 2007 00:10
Salt of the earth pub near Leeds Station. Gets very busy on Leeds United match days.
16 Feb 2007 00:08
High quality ex-Tetley Festival Ale house with a choice of up to 12 real ales. Mixed clientele attracting visitors to the West Yorkshire Playhouse and staff from the new BBC studios.
16 Feb 2007 00:08
Always packed, but if you love good foreign bottled beers, this is the one bar you should visit when in Leeds.
16 Feb 2007 00:06
Once had its own brewery, but there are normally three or four real ales on tap. Attracts students from Park Lane College, and has a decent pool table.
16 Feb 2007 00:05
Unchanged pub favoured by students and university staff. The real ale has improved over the last few years, and is still Leeds' number one punk/emo venue.
16 Feb 2007 00:04
My local in Leeds when I lived there for a year in 2006. Leeds' original ale house is still going strong. Great venue for live music, friendly bar staff and top quality real ale.
16 Feb 2007 00:03
Arcadia Ale and Wine Bar, Headingley
The only place in Headingley where you can get quality real ale.
16 Feb 2007 00:00
Reopened after many years in 2001. Typical Sam Smith's pub, geriatric crowd in the daytime, much younger emo crowd at night.
15 Feb 2007 23:59
The pub has changed from very much a local's pub to a venue that has done an excellent job of attracting the young professionals and tourists from the nearby hotels and appartments. Taylor's Landlord now costs �2.60 a pint though!
15 Feb 2007 00:42
Above average beer quality in a stunning conversion of the former Windsor Baths. If you want to avoid the food, try "Lunch Box" a little further up the road for one of their famous fry ups!
15 Feb 2007 00:33
The Shoulder of Mutton, Bradford
Classic Sam Smith's pub. It once had the best pub food in Bradford, but when the beer's this good and this cheap, you can't really complain.
15 Feb 2007 00:26
Could and should be a great Bradford pub. Beautifully preserved snug, and good quality beers, but it never seems to get the levels of customers it deserves.
15 Feb 2007 00:24
Home to the Bradford University Ladies Hockey Team! The only outlet for Webster's beers in the City, its on prime development land. Visit it while you still can!
15 Feb 2007 00:21
When this pub first opened in 1997, it was a refreshing addition to the Bradford real ale scene. Ten years on, the beer is still of an acceptable quality, but the decor has deterioated to an very poor level.
15 Feb 2007 00:18
A pub of contrasts. You can't deny the pub is very beguiling but the beer quality is variable to say the least, and on one night the pumps had no clips despite three ales being on offer.
15 Feb 2007 00:11
Bradford's original ale house opened in 1983, in an area made up of heavy industry, and a largely Muslim residential community. Up to 10 real ales are available, as well as delicious bar food - the chilli is very good. Along with the Corn Dolly, the Fighting Cock is one to visit if you're in Bradford.
14 Feb 2007 23:52
Has taken the initative from the deceased Steve Biko and had on my last visit in November, two excellently kept real ales. The bar also has four pool tables and a mutlitude of gaming machines as well.
14 Feb 2007 23:50
Run by the Donkin family since 1989, the Corn Dolly has gone from strength to strength as outlined by the numerous awards on the pub walls.
14 Feb 2007 23:49
Great beer choice and a classic West Yorkshire multi roomed layout.
14 Feb 2007 23:45
Conversion of an old bank building. Had a decent pint of Mansfield bitter the last time I was in here.
14 Feb 2007 23:44
At any time of the day, you can sure that the strains of tuneless karaoke will be drifting across Westgate. Still, there aren't many pubs left like this in Bradford, and so it should be cherished.
14 Feb 2007 23:43
Attractive shoe box of a pub given a sympathetic makeover. The beer isn't as good as it once was, but its usually my last stop before Lawkholme Lane.
14 Feb 2007 23:39
Taylor's pub with beers served on the air pressure system, but very friendly and very cosy.
14 Feb 2007 23:38
Medium sized open plan pub with a nice beer garden at the back. Out of all the Taylor's pubs in the town, the Royal Oak has the nicest food.
14 Feb 2007 23:37
I can only reflect Albert's comments, another classic Keighley house, I always seem to visit when its closed these days though!
14 Feb 2007 23:35
Despite the refurb, the pub still has that 60's ambience. Taylor's beers are served through the air pressure system, but are of a good quality. I once went in here about six years ago, and the assembled group of 50 and 60 somethings were discussing the joys of...ahem...backdoor loving!
14 Feb 2007 23:34
Imposing handsome pub at the top of Cavendish Street, but no real ale, and a little intimidating for a newcomer.
14 Feb 2007 23:32
Market pub owned by the same family for over 30 years. A bit rough and ready perhaps, but the clientele are the salt of the earth.
14 Feb 2007 23:31
Possibly the jewel in Timmy Taylor's crown, and its all down to the currents licensees. There's an older crowd in this pub, but they still welcome young whippersnappers like myself. The best pub in Keighley despite very healthy competition.
14 Feb 2007 23:29
Beer scoopers delight with up to 10 real ales on offer from nationwider micro breweries. There is a silver service restaurant on the premises which opens at weekends.
14 Feb 2007 23:27
A small pub with a massive heart. Definitely the most friendly pub in the town centre, excellently kept ales, and a roaring open fire.
14 Feb 2007 23:26
Classic town centre Taylor's pub with a U-shaped bar. Definitely one for the younger crowd, but the real ale is of above average quality.
14 Feb 2007 23:24
Well worth trooping up Claypath (or take the Belmont Hopper as I�ve done on occasions!) for this beer scooper�s delight. CAMRA Pub of the Year in recent years, and home to an innovative (for Durham) German beer festival, a friendly welcome awaits you in this classically unchanged pub. Loyally patronised by its regulars, this is the City Centre of the Carrville Mags, and where the banter between Newcastle and Sunderland is always genuine and always friendly.
14 Feb 2007 22:59
Durham�s first Wetherspoon�s outlet. Whilst, the d�cor and carpeting has become a bit shabby over the last 18 months, the quality of beer and food is still of a relatively high standard, and there is clear support of local microbreweries which sit side by side with the usual Wetherspoon�s house ales. A new Lloyd�s No 1 bar has opened in the Walkergate development in December 2006 � the Bishop�s Mill.
14 Feb 2007 22:54
The Victoria is listed in the CAMRA National Inventory, and has been run by Michael since 1975. Apparently at the time, one of the old timers at the bar said that Michael would only last a fortnight � 32 years later he is still there! The pub is in multi-roomed format which is rare for Durham, and was described as my friend once as �like stepping on to the set of Goodnight Sweetheart�. The beer is usually of a very high standard, but the early 80�s Space Invaders machine isn�t there anymore.
14 Feb 2007 22:50
Don't be fooled by the narrow front bar for it hides a cavernous den of a second bar down t'stairs. As the name belies, this is mainly a student hang out during the day, but attracts a great number of customers. The quality of real ale is not particularly high.
14 Feb 2007 22:43
The Swan and Three Cygnets, Durham
A relatively new pub dating back some 25 years - I believe it was an electrical goods shop before - and the other Sam Smith's pub. Run by Carol's (from the Colpitts) son-in-law Mark, you'll be assured of a friendly Scouse welcome. The Old Brewery is not as good as in the Colpitts, but through the day, the Swan is a relaxing place to hang out. Be warned, at night the pub gets absolutely packed out.
14 Feb 2007 22:40
For once, the change to an Irish theme bar from a traditional English bar was a vast improvement. Let�s just say, the old Castle had somewhat of a reputation. For the past 11 years, O�Neills has providing a bouncing, but good natured atmosphere and top quality live music. No real ales, but good pub food � the sausages and colcannon are highly recommended.
14 Feb 2007 22:36
Like the Hogshead, before the dawn of New Labour (I wonder if there�s a connection here?) the New Inn was a friendly two roomed traditional pub comprising of a quiet lounge and a more raucous pool room. A makeover exploited the large student population, and its now a pub I feel too old to enter. Plenty of quiz machines, jukeboxes, and bandits to entertain the masses, and at least a Black Sheep handpump has been added to the bar now.
14 Feb 2007 22:29
Before 1997 this was the much loved Buffalo, before a corporate decision was made to convert it beyond recognition to a Hogshead. To be fair, the original incarnation was a very attractive and warm bar, before subsequent alterations and "improvements" has left a pretty characterless place. Oh, and the real ales aren't very nice either.
14 Feb 2007 22:25
Recently refurbished pub and the first pub I ever visited in 1989 at the age of 10...with my parents I hasten to add. There are normally three real ales on offer of decent quality, and the pub has attracted a loyal band of regulars.
14 Feb 2007 22:20
Friendly pub (talk to Big Steve behind the bar about Newcastle United or Hayseed Dixie and you'll have a friend for life!) with a sun trap of a beer garden. A good outlet for Durham Brewery beers and despite the new Plasma screens, the pun has lost none of its character.
14 Feb 2007 22:17
Whilst the Colpitts may be my favourite pub in the city, the Dunny is mother ship Fairport. It has shed the days of being Durham's officially designated children's pub and last stop before parties at the Cricket/Rugby/Rowing Club, to become the warmest and friendliest pub in Durham. The bad news is that Geoff and Sharon have left. The brilliantly good news is that Michael has returned for a second spell as landlord!
14 Feb 2007 22:12
My very favourite pub in Durham. In the days of soulless and faceless chain bars flooding our high streets, you are guaranteed a friendly welcome from long standing landlady Carol, and the mix of local and students doesn't jar as it does in other Durham hostelries. Perhaps the only pub in Durham with an off sales hatch too, and very cheap and well kept Old Brewery Bitter.
14 Feb 2007 22:09
The City had one of the first video jukeboxes when I first visited in 1995 with plush red seating and an understanding attitude to under aged drinkers. A year later, they abandoned tradition for the fake "fiddle dee dee" of Scruffy Murphy's, before the City returned to 2005. Very friendly staff, well kept Bombardier and Old Peculier, but lacking in atmosphere somewhat.
14 Feb 2007 22:05
I first visited the Angel when I was 15, and was delighted to find on my last visit before Christmas that this pub had not changed in any way! Still got the best jukebox in Durham and one of the very few beer gardens in the City Centre. Not a session pub, but good for a cheeky drop of scotch before heading to the Colpitts.
14 Feb 2007 22:01
The Duck and Drake, Leeds
Pleased to report that the Duck and Drake reopened on Friday 7th August with no noticeable changes by all accounts! Happy news for once!
12 Aug 2009 15:37