please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Probably the best quality beer I had whilst around Lancaster serving a lot of the Lancaster brewery ales. Lancaster brewery has always been good when I've had a pint of it to be fair. The staff were quite friendly and you can sit outside even if it's a tad chilly as it's got heaters. A bit pricey and I'm not sure I'd drink here for too long (doesn't have a pub feel to it) but still a good place for a pint.
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Good solid alehouse just off the main town street. The interior gives the impression of being both spacious and small at the same time – due in part to their being less tables than expected. Lowbeaed ceiling and bare stone walls featuring self-advertising blackboards (menu specials, coffee etc). The other impression is of rectangularity, as all the tables, chairs and stools are completely oblong.
7 or 8 real ales available, including some from the local Lancaster brewery. I tried their Blonde (reasonable) and Black (really nice – I had another !). This was the only pub we went into in Lancaster where the beer wasn’t too cold !
Food was available, but was rather pricey – probably to pay for the little metal baskets the chips came in ! [ I didn’t eat there, just noticed wgar other people received ]
7/10 – a good pub but a bit expensive.
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Called in here yesterday (27th June). In fact, I called in twice, once just after Noon when it was quiet, and again at the end of my day out in Lancaster (taking in The Borough, The John o'Gaunt, and The Water Witch) as my last call before catching the train home, when it was fairly busy (about 6 p.m.) . On each occasion it was a very enjoyable visit, ale very good, staff very friendly, pub very clean.
Despite there being lots of people in on my second visit, I found a seat, ordered some food; I was served quickly and I enjoyed a bit of friendly banter with the young lass who served me - who had a good sense of humour and wasn't just being nice to accomodate a customer.
Food was good (fish & chips) but a bit expensive, however it was prepared on the premises and of good quality - this basic traditional dish is often ruined in some pubs, with the use of excessive oil or fat, but this was very well prepared with proper thick-cut chips and a ball of peas encased in a light, crispy batter. Unusual but tasty. It also came with a small jar of a light version of chip-shop curry sauce which was just right, not too strong. The meal set me up very nicely for my journey home. I would recommend a visit, next time I think I'll have my dinner here too (or lunch if you want to be posh, but I'm from Lancashire originally and it's dinner!!)
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Decent selection of ales, pleasant atmosphere, worth a visit.
alexw - 26 Aug 2013 11:36 |
Decent alehouse though it can get very busy. Okay for getting served despite being packed but don't expect a seat. Pretty good selection of ales with many local brews available.
anonymous - 17 Dec 2012 20:52 |
The best of 4 Lancaster pubs we sampled yesterday evening. The Sun was reasonably busy. It has plenty of character, service is friendly and the ale range is good. 5 Lancaster beers were on - Blonde, Red, Black, Straw & Amber plus White Horse Wayland Smithy, Otter Amber, Gales HSB & Liverpool One Liverpool Dark. The Lancaster Red Rose Original Farmhouse Cider was also on handpull. Pub of the day for me.
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Very impressed. Nice feel with a pleasant atmosphere and comfortable surroundings.
Good range of ale, I opted for one of the Lancaster Brewery Range, the Lancaster Black and it was of a good quality. Very friendly bar staff too.
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very nice real ale pub/bar/TRENDY place,the building is fantastic and divided into various dimly lit areas,various handpumps featured lancaster ales and guests on a 50/50 basis,the pint of lancaster black was spot on(�3.15),8/10
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Lovely pub/hotel with comfortable seating and an excellent range of real ale, mainly from the Lancaster Brewery range and all those we tried were in excellent condition. Only stayed for one but shall certainly return if I'm in Lancaster again.
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Why would I go anywhere else when i'm in Lancaster. Clean, warm and friendly staff / setting, great selection of drinks that you just don't get anywhere else.
Staying is perfect and far cheaper than i've paid for anywhere else of this standard and I travel a lot.
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Excellent, very busy, modern cask ale pub. Wins lots of awards.
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This is the best pub for a lon long way. Encompasses everything, from great rooms, real food, diverse custom base, great atmosphere and superb beer.
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Professionally run hotel and pub, 4 ales from Lancaster brewery and the rest from micros - plus an interesting range of Belgian beers. The place was clean and the staff friendly.
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I hope this review doesn't sound too gushing! This pub really is the sort of pub I like, 8 real ales in good condition, 4 from the Lancaster brewery, also a selection of Belgian beers. I ate here and the food was pretty good. I also stayed here and our room was great, got a �5 drink & food vocuher for booking on-line. Staff very friendly and attentive. I just cannot fault this pub.
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Nice pub, serve a range of 4 Lancaster beers - Black & Blond were sampled and ok. The 4 "guests" were uninspiring.
Nice layout, interesting well in the back room.
Shows Sky Sports games and serves food.
To be included on a Tour of Lancaster.
Near the bus and train stations
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A very very fine pint indeed...you may wait a little to get served but it's worth it! The Lancaster beers are full of flavour and there are always others on offer too - normally a choice, then, of about 8. The feel of the pub is a mix of traditional stone watering hole and urban chic (but this is Lancaster...) and the food is good - not overpriced for what it is.
There's plenty of outside seating at the rear and it's close to the town centre. If you can spare a few minutes...do!
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Favourite pub in town. Good beers, Lancaster Blonde is best in my humble opinion. Staff are helpful and friendly. Shame about the art though!
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Excellent pub, ales well kept, the barman's name was Colin.
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In on Friday as part of a Lancaster crawl. Absolutely brilliant pub, 4 Lancaster Brewery beers - Amber, Blonde, Red and Black and also Moles Best and Mole Catcher plus Thwaites Liberation and Wainwright. Nice to see no Guinness but Marstons Oyster Stout instead, lots of foreign beers on draught including Konig Ludwig Weissbier. What loked like a decent selection of foreign bottled beers including all the Chimays, Delerium Tremens, Maredsous, Duvel, Goose Island and Coopers Sparkling. They even give you a choice of straight or jug for your beer. Main bar as you enter has bare walls, a larger drinking area to the right which goes back further with more rooms joining on.
Can't complain about the prices, maybe a bit more expensive than the other pubs in Lancaster but still only around �18.50 for 7 pints.
Essential visit
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Great place. It's not particularly rustic or charming, but it retains all the essential elements of what a pub should be about, i.e. a civilised place to consume great real ale and food. It is in an attractive area of Lancaster near the castle, and has a modern feel. Beer range comes from local sources and was on top form on my visit. Beer served in a pint pot-always a plus in my book! If in Lancaster, make it a priority.
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Classy venue, yeh little pricey (�2.60 pint bitter) but friendly efficient staff. Part owner of Lancaster Brewery so their 4 cask beers in evidence, but 4 other casks also. Visited in the day and the evening, best bar in Lancaster along with the Borough.
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A bit trendy for me, but great range of beers and vibrant atmoshphere on a Friday night.
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If you want to moan about prices, then go to Wetherspoons down the road. The Sun used to be a rough pub, but after a total refurb and I believe the same people who turned the waterwitch round it is now one of, if not the best pub in Lancaster. Excellent ales, draught and bottled. Nice seating area to eat and clean toilets. What more could you want? And don't say cheap drinks..........
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D'ont be put off by prices,think quality.They sell quality lagers and beer,and every other type of drink you can think off.This has to be one of the finest bars in the North-West.Everyone,keep coming in.
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I read some of the reviews below and I hardly recognised this pub. This is my "local" and is roundly regarded as one the finest pubs in the UK (the walls of the place are crowded with plaques recognising National and local awards). The beer is lauded by Lancastrians as the best in the area, the food is exceptional and the place is always busy often with people who have made a special journey to visit. It has its flaws but generally this is a very special pub that seems to illicit odd reviews on this website.
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First up - you don't go in here for a cheap pint of Carling. I thought the variety of drinks available was excellent, and it makes a change from the run of the mill stuff you get everywhere else.
I agree with a lot of what folk have said, they have a decent interior (perspex over the well in one room), but it can get quite cramped quite quickly, so watch out for busy times. Personally I quite liked the ales I tried but each to their own there, and everyone I was with enjoyed it so it can't be half bad. Worth a visit when in the area, even if it's just to say you've been.
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Good selection of beers and spirits.
However...
Excruciatingly slow service. We had to wait for in excess of 1 and a half hour for our lunch. Poorly executed food as well. "Overcooked mush" was the most fitting description. 3/10 for food and service.
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A plaque inside proclaims how they have striven to preserve the old features of this centuries-old hotel. Unfortunately, they have shamelessly modernised it into a contemporary caf� bar style that almost completely negates their efforts. I�m afraid that highlighting an old door and a fireplace or two and retaining the old walls didn�t impress me much. What does though is the beer range that includes a selection from Lancaster brewery. Less impressive is the price tag that comes with it.
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Every once in a while you visit a pub that it truly brilliant. This is one such place. 8 pump ales, the ones I tried were excellently kept, and the imformative barman insisted on me trying some of them before making a choice! If pump ales not your thing, well then there are several continental lagers on tap, and several dozen bottled beers. Wine list looked good too. Prices very reasonable.
The food menu was varied, and the light lunches we ordered truly well done, with even the accomanying salad of a high quality with a nice dressing, rather than the usual pub salad of a sad lettuce leaf and orange tomator slice.
I just wish I lived nearer!
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Contemporary and upmarket; very pleasant but distinctly average beer (Lancaster brewery)
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A really nice bar, very spacious and bare stonewalls all round. Lots of ale on offer, though it was so packed when I was in there I couldn't count them all, but the stout I had was nice.
Clientele looked pretty studenty, with a smattering of middle-aged groups in the front bar.
Well worth a visit.
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As an earlier comment says, this is a beautiful C17 pub converted into a contemporary real ale bar. There are up to 6 changing real ales with, usually, a good representation of Lancaster Brewery beers. Whilst there are only smidgeons of food in the evening, the lunchtime pie is the best I have ever had in a pub. I wish this were my local.
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Went to the Sun with some of the family on a very wet lunchtime on 28 July - my first visit to Lancaster since childhood days. Only about 20 punters in the place, but a very welcoming and pleasant atmosphere. Unfortunately I was nominated to drive that day so can't comment on the beer, but had a really nice pot of Real Tea!!
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Agree with all the good bits above. Lunch is good too.
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This is a great pub with a good selection of beer situated within easy walking(staggering)of the bus station and taxi rank.Being extended at time of writing.
2 criticisms, however: Bar staff are often ill mannered and lack basic knowledge of beer on tap,Too interested in chatting to each other than serving the punters.
:needs better smoke extraction system. Not everyone likes the smell of the combustion products of nicotine or passive cancer!
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Excellent choice of beers good atmosphere and once again good staff. Great to see an old established pub turned round from a chavs pub to somewhere where all can go and enjoy a pleasnt drink
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Fabulous contemporary real ale bar. Superb selection of real ales, top lagers and an excellent choice of wine. Really beautiful 17th Century pub, always busy but a true Lancashire classic.
Phil - 18 Sep 2004 17:46 |
