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Giffard Arms, Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton
WV1 3NX
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Delboy 20 left this review about Giffard Arms
The Giffard Arms hasn't changed much over the years and long may it continue. Still the place for rock music in Wolverhampton. No ale on but a great jukebox!
On 27th November 2019
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 1661 recommendations about 1561 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about Giffard Arms
Having read the previous two reviews prior to coming here I was fully expecting to find in here a geezer called Mocata summoning the Goat Of Mendes. It's a novelty place for sure and my old Black Country beer guide claims it was built by Mitchell & Butler in 1929.
Some of the older punters are more into syrups than Satan and I also noticed several examples of died hair which weren't blue rinses. Although the heavy rock music was blasting out at least there were no TV screens that I could see.
I spotted two hand pumps only one of which was used and had Robinson's Trooper (£3.50) which was in reasonable nick but is a pretty dull beer. I would have thought that Abbeydale Black Mass or Brunswick Black Sabbath would go down well here.
I must admit I found this one had a better atmosphere than the ersatz Spoons over the road.
On 17th September 2018
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Al Bundy left this review about Giffard Arms
A good old eccentric boozer. Very gothy with dark scary bats, skeletons, demons and scary images adorning the walls. A big Dennis Wheatley type mumbo jumbo chair dominates the centre of the pub though I was too scared to sit in it. I was expecting to hear the Devils music being played incessantly but thankfully no Cliff Richard, Stryper, St Winifred's School Choir or praise-the-lord country crap was being played. Rubbish unscary Ozzy though was, which was disappointing. No real ale that I could see.
On 7th April 2016
- rating: 5
[User has posted 3487 recommendations about 3390 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about Giffard Arms
I was pointed here with the words it's a bit like the Yorkshire House in Shrewsbury, this is true but it's more gothic horror than Dungeons and Dragons fantasy. Deliberately dark and with skeletons, dragons, coffin shaped table tops and a large throne for some Lord of Darkness or other it looks the part. The customers are not of the blood drinking Satan worshipping type I was expecting, most looked like they would be called Kevin, even the Hell's Angels lookalikes were probably off-duty hairdressers in Death's Head T-Shirts. Lots of fun except for the beer and the poor service.
On 8th October 2012
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3273 recommendations about 2982 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about Giffard Arms
Open plan rock pub, though more gothy than anything, more bats and brooms rather than guitar and drums, probably appropraite considering its slightly gothic exterior.
Made for standing , with some seating around the edges, but made for me by the rock music, but if you don't like that then probably not worth a visit, there are two real ales, including brains, but the quality is poor.
On 30th August 2012
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1456 recommendations about 1434 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Giffard Arms
Popped my head round the door but no ale on (again) so decided to maximise my time in the Great Western instead. Shame really, they need to be clever about getting the beer in and on.
On 19th June 2011
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ale Monster left this review about Giffard Arms
This is a one room city centre pub built around 1922 in a Gothic Tudor style with beautiful stone door arches mullioned windows and even heraldic shields which show the coat of arms of Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, the Giffard family and the Springfield brewery. The pub is now privately owned and mainly attracts people who are into rock and alternative music and rock gigs are regularly held in a room upstairs. The interior has a Gothic themed décor with red and black woodwork and walls, elaborate beams and coffin shaped tables. The wood panel bar counter is located in the middle of the right hand wall, black wood panelling covers the back wall and there is a colourful dragon Muriel on the left hand wall. In the centre of the room is a magnificent throne which has arm rests that terminate in large carved dragons heads, a satanic style upside down cross in the black leather back rest and the feet are shaped like hooves.
Regular ale is Wychwood Hobgoblin with a changing guest beer that was Moorhouse’s Blond Witch on this occasion (both titles in keeping with the theme of the pub, nice touch) unfortunately both of these beers were off and the barman said they were waiting for a delivery due that day! So if you like real ale don’t bother visiting on a Monday afternoon!
I normally prefer an unspoilt traditional real ale pub but I must say that I like this place. Some people may find the décor a little dark and intimidating but the customers and staff that I spoke to were very friendly and helpful. I asked if I could take a picture of the impressive Gothic throne to which the barman said “Yes, thanks for asking, we get dozens of people who walk in, take a picture and walk straight out without saying a word!” I also enjoyed the music that was playing while I was there, bands like Deep Purple, Thin Lizzy, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath at a reasonable volume, brilliant! I shall return to try the beer soon.
On 2nd June 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 199 recommendations about 199 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Soup Dragon left this review about Giffard Arms
I always visit this pub when in Wolverhampton, which is often enough and thought it was about time that i rated it.
The exterior is fantastic. It is mock stone faced perpendicular (Tudor) styled town house, built in the 1920s, I think (I used to work in Wolverhampton, many years ago)
The pub is known for being a haven for the Goth/Alternative clientele, but its fantastically welcoming to all, even an archivist with waistcoat and fob-watch!
The interior is dark, wooden, with interesting coffin tables and an impressive throne that sits like the judgement of Solomon in the middle of the pub.
Real ales always on, as well as the usual taps, though no MILD. Sadly, on my last visit, the Hobgoblin had disappeared and i had to have the Wells Bombardier, a basic alternative.
Will continue to visit
On 10th September 2009
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3067 recommendations about 3062 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about Giffard Arms
The outside of this pub is pretty impressive, with mullioned windows and fine stonework. Walk inside and it's also pretty impressive in a completely different way. A massive throne is facing you as you walk towards the bar. Coffin shaped tables all around you and a mix of leathers and more mature clientele. Had Roosters Yankee and Wychwood Hobgoblin on the bar. Had a pint of the Roosters which was well kept. Upstairs is a Goth/Alternative venue at weekends. If you like the Yorkshire House in Shrewsbury you'll like it here and vice versa.
On 29th July 2009
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3224 recommendations about 3135 pubs]