Junction Inn, Otleyback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Probably the best pub in Otley and easily up there for one of the best I have been in. It has a bare boards feel with a fire place and a darts board. On the bar they had- Timothy Taylor Golden Best, Theakston Best Bitter, Theakston Old Peculier, St Austells Proper Job, Hambletons nightmare Porter, Hambletons Stud Blonde, Timothy Taylor Best Bitter, Timothy Taylor's landlord, Timothy Taylor Knowle Springe, St Austells Tribute, Robinsons dizzy blonde. The barman and barmaid here seem to be the owners and we're both quite friendly, the locals seemed nice and a few brought their dogs. It was a convivial atmosphere when I was in and has been when I have came before. Surely this is a must visit for anyone.
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Amazing no one has reported on this pub for 5 years but maybe that's because nothing seems to have changed from the in depth reports previously. Anyway excellent choice of 6 beers from local to far flung and a stunning range of real ciders as well.
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Best pub in for miles around. Never had a bad pint here.
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Occupying a prominent street corner position on the main road from Leeds into the West Yorkshire market town of Otley is The Junction, a solid looking typical Yorkshire stone built building.
A large single bar features a tiled floor, much wood panelling and a central fireplace. The walls are decorated with some evocative black and white prints of Otley and several enamel brewery posters. The rafters house a bottled beer collection and, on the other side of the fireplace, a collection of farming implements hang down from the dark beams. Comfortable, fixed seating run round the edge of the room with sturdy looking tables helping contribute towards a solid traditional feel to the pub. A smaller snug style drinking area on the left, which was probably once a separate bar, houses a fine pub mirror, featuring bulls horns.
Live guitarists feature on Tuesday evening. A Bank Holiday BBQ was being advertised, with proceeds to the Air Ambulance.
There's 11 handpumps in total, which, on my recent Tuesday afternoon visit, were serving Theakstons Best and Old Peculier, and Taylors Landlord and Best, which are apparently the 4 regular offerings. Guest beers include Deuchars IPA, Jennings Cumberland plus beers from Roosters, Hydes, Everards and Hobgoblin. Guests were priced at between � 2.40p and � 2.60p - which, for someone used to London beer prices, is very welcome. I noted that there's 50p off these prices on Mondays. Both the Taylors Best and Deuchars IPA ( � 2.60p and � 2.40p respectively ) were in good form. The pub is a CAMRA Good Beer Guide regular.
Otley seems to have a number of pubs that are worth investigating, unfortunately time and work commitments meant that I only did this one plus The Bay Horse ( which is not yet listed on BITE ). I'd be more than happy to return to them both next time I'm in Otley
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went to the new wetherspoons opening.had one pint left and went to the juction fer the rest of the afternoon,nuff said
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What a find � thanks to the recommendation of BITE ! At first sight this is just a normal (though reasonably presentable) pub on a busy town street. But venture inside and you are transformed. On the immediate left of the (only) entrance there is a small snug-like area, with a large (but unobtrusive) TV. Beyond that, on the left, is the bar with an impressive range of 11 real ales, including three from Timothy Taylors, and two from Theakstons. I had the Saltaire Dark Mild which was excellent. Details of existing and forthcoming guest beers were chalked on the wall.
The whole pub had the feeling of a large living room. Perhaps this was because the number of tables (wooden beamed) was smaller than would have been expected, and they were arranged mainly down the right hand side and rear wall, leaving plenty of room for standing in the middle. This was empathised by virtually all of the people were sitting facing the bar ! Decor featured a large numbered of old beer bottles (getting a bit hackneyed this one), horse tack hanging from beams, and old (local) prints and posters. In a dark corner there were a couple of fruit machines, and also some bowls of drinking water for dogs.
I only stayed for one pint, but whilst I was there I was surprised by the constant movement of people, either just arriving, and drinking up and leaving. I think there must have been 100% turnover of customers in 20 minutes !
As far as I could see there was no food � which makes a change.
There were a few tables directly outside the front door, which were very popular, despite being directly beside a busy main rod. At the rear there was also a beer garden, which was virtually empty. Maybe because it had a much more contemporary feel than the rest of the pub, or perhaps because it wasn�t signposted � you had to go through the door marked Gents ! [ The actual gents was spotless]
Ratings : pub 9/10, barmaid 10/10 !
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every visit is a pleasure this has to be along with the hunters at pool in wharfedale the best real ale pub in west yorkshire 3 permanant beers are complimented by at least 4 guests the landord is very knowlagable and passionate about his trade and while other pubs in otley are closing down this is packed to the rafters most nights and its easy to see why
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An absolute gem in a town which is full of great pubs. It has remained consistently good in the 5 or so years that I have been visiting.
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Brilliant.Visited early May.Three Theakston's beers were on bitter,mild,Old Peculier.I was actually able to have an old and mild.Landlord grumbling about the weight of the wooden casks,makes you wonder which century you are in.Interesting old brewery memorabilia,including ads. for long gone Timothy Taylor bottled beers.
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