Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
Can't log in on Chromium with rpadam
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Black Fox, Bath
Bath
BA1 1UH
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Black Fox
This is almost a wedge-shaped pub that is much larger inside than it initially appears, even managing to have accommodation. There is a small reception desk at the end of the bar.
The ground floor interior has a light and airy feel to it, whilst a broad staircase leads down to a subterranean room with plenty more seating. The toilets were also down here and were immaculately clean.
A couple of handpulls can be found on the bar. One was dispensing Electric Bear Two Halves One Glass, with the other dispensing Bristol Cider Company Rhuby. There was also a good selection of local craft beers.
I liked this place much more than I thought I would. The beer and cider were both very enjoyable indeed.
On 26th August 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2452 recommendations about 2451 pubs]
Quinno _ left this review about The Black Fox
Modernised place (was a Hobgoblin until a few years ago), stripped-back - bland light colours with both sanded floors and tables. Downstairs area unexplored, though I doubt more than a couple of people were present as there were only five upstairs to start with. Specialist gin is the big shifter here and to be fair it's presented well. Two pumps with a single cask, Bath Gem, which was as was to be anticipated (NBSS 2.5) served up by the local version of Gavin & Stacey’s ‘Ness. Nothing to entice me back.
On 4th May 2023
- rating: 5
[User has posted 5081 recommendations about 5064 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about The Black Fox
Refurbished and renamed since my previous review, this now has a slightly more gastropub feel to it perhaps, although whether that is the style of food, I’m not sure as I didn’t inspect the menu. Certainly it’s a bit of a change from it’s rather rough and ready Hobgoblin days. It’s not a particularly large pub, but is split over two floors with a prominent central staircase leading down to a basement room.
Decor wise it consists of sanded wooden boards on the floor and much white paintwork on both the ceiling and walls giving it a light and airy feel. The bar counter is situated at the rear of the pub, and above this was a blackboard detailing a selection of cocktails and speciality gins. A few bookshelves lined the walls as well as some colourful artwork and a couple of clocks. Lighting was exposed filament light bulbs as of course is de rigour in any pub renovation these days, and there were also a few barrels dotted around for vertical drinking. The style downstairs was broadly similar, alo0ng with some old pub signs on the wall and a rolled-up projector screen, so presumably some sporting fixtures are screened.
Beers on tap were Bath Ales’ Gem and 365 from the New Bristol Brewery. Ciders meanwhile were Thatcher’s Gold and North Street. Overall, quite an improvement, and worth checking out.
On 20th December 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1948 recommendations about 1861 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about The Black Fox
Hugely improved since previous visits, below, and its Hobgoblin days well behind it. The décor is a refreshed pale blue on the lapboarded walls, while the old wooden floor continues to add a bit of character. We were greeted by a convivial spaniel, while the barman was busy being patient and polite to foreign tourists. Food was gastro-style, but not hugely expensive compared to other pubs in this part of town, apart from the speciality snacks. Two ales on, Bath Gem and Electric Bear’s Glitch, both in really good condition. There were also 3 ciders and a craft lager. A revitalised pub which would now make a good inclusion on a crawl.
On 4th August 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3284 recommendations about 3249 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Black Fox
A long wedge shaped Pub, single opened out room On two levels that I thought had little character, It was reasonably busy for a Tuesday evening and my beer choice of Tapestry Swing Ball was nice enough. Not a place I would rush back to though.
On 26th March 2020
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1872 recommendations about 1845 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about The Hobgoblin
An unusual shaped pub, narrow at the entrance but opening out towards the bar due to the roads running either side of it. Whilst in the centre of Bath, it’s probably far enough off the tourist trails that most of the punters are local, and I suspect it may not appeal to many tourists anyway. There’s nothing wrong with it, but it’s definitely got a slightly alternative feel to it which won’t be for everyone.
It’s clearly some time since it’s had a refurbishment, but some might argue that just adds to it’s character. However the loos were covered in graffiti and in dire need of some refurbishment. The paintwork on the ceiling is maroon and elsewhere there is still the curious shade of dirty brown that you used to find in many pubs before the smoking ban. It could also be described as dark and gloomy – the walls are mostly black wood panelling, and there was only fairly limited lighting. There is a downstairs area that I presume is used by the many bands that visit, going on the various posters around the walls. The pub makes much of the goblin theme with a large mural above the bar and numerous cobwebs, skulls, etc. dotted around. The barman seemed friendly enough.
Beers on tap were Gem, Barnstormer and the seasonal Satan Claus from the Devilfish brewery. Ciders were Blackthorn and Bee Sting Pear cider along with Star Gazer and Fire Dancer from Lilley’s.
On 12th December 2011
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1948 recommendations about 1861 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
I L left this review about The Hobgoblin
There arent that many Hogoblin pub left these days and most still exist, are a bit tired as this one is now looking. However to our surprise it was a pleasant multi storied corner pub with friendly staff on during our mid Saturday afternoon visit and the range of ales totalling five local ones attracted our attention. The Otter Head and the others including those from Bath Ales was a pretty good range. Glad we stumbnled across it on our way to other pubs that we normally do. Will definitely be back this way in future.
On 6th August 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 287 recommendations about 284 pubs]