Foundry Project, Harrogate

A modern, neo-industrial sort of place with the obligatory exposed ductwork, random timbering and dodgy lighting. Retro features include a pinball machine and a Space Invaders table. The flashy copper-topped bar has some fairly tedious keg with nothing more exciting than a hugely-overpriced Neck Oil, while the three handpumps mounted on the back wall are now purely decorative. I suppose it appeals to someone but not me.

A very modern bar that has had loads of money spent on it. It's on two levels with the upper area being more for diners, although drinkers are welcomed in the area as well at quieter times. We called in on a Tuesday night, which was definitely one of their quieter times. There were only about 6 others in the whole place. Lots of industrial style lighting and fixtures which looks good. Sadly on our visit there was no real ale. The barmaid said "We're waiting for a delivery" which is unacceptable really. I suspect the beer orderer is fairly new to this and also fairly incompetent. Loads of overpriced keg though, so I had a half of something extremely cold. It's a great looking place, so we'll probably give it another chance.

Bar to rear with standard seating on right. Up steps to more seating on the left. Three hand pumps with one @ 5.4% ABV. Many keg offerings in addition to that. Not that bad a place.

Partially newly built in extreme modern style, it's split level side to side reflecting the topography of the site. The new section is the lower part and has a nice wide board floor, and old floor boards lining one wall, a garden wall separates a front low seating area from the rear counter and high seating area. To the right is another low seating area, there's a maître d's podium at the front door beside this area, sometimes used sometimes not from what I could see. To the left and up a short flight of stairs is another seating area with a hot drinks, or coffee bar and further back another counter with two wall mounted keg taps (unlabelled). The ceiling is equipped with the industrial fitments of heating ducts, cable tray, mesh and Edison bulbs that is de rigour these days. The young staff are reasonably good and there was a mix of middle class punters but not many younger ones on a Sunday afternoon visit. There are two banks of 12 keg taps with a wide range, only a couple are from owners Marstons, three pulls are hidden away on the bar back. In addition to 10-12 kegs there are fridges of world beers in bottle and can plus cocktails and the usual wines and spirits (oddly for Harrogate no trendy local gins and only one prosecco!) highlights are Stone Arrogant Bastard and Beavertown Gamma Ray. Cask beers appear to be constantly changing but today it had Bad Seed Session IPA and Bad Co Slow Rider, the third one was blank, given the obscure location of the pulls the quality was as expected although not needing some chips to be poured upon, maybe disfiguring the copper bar top was thought a touch unnecessary by Marstons' bright young things designers. Warning the default pint glass is the dreaded dimple mug Cask beer drinkers may want to head next door to Major Tom's Social. There is also excellent disabled access to toilets and all areas.

Official site of Foundry Project - www.foundryprojectharrogate.com

Official site of Foundry Project - www.foundryprojectharrogate.com

Official site of The Foundry Project - www.facebook.com

Official site of The Foundry Project - www.facebook.com

Due to open on the 28th of April